Looking for a nice stem plant to grow in your tank's background area, but don't want something boring and standard? You've got options! One of our favorite aquarium plants is Pogostemon stellatus: an extravagant, hardy stem plant with ultra-bushy, feathery leaves.

Below, find out everything you need to know about Pogostemon stellatus and how to grow this easy aquarium plant in your tank!

What is Pogostemon stellatus?

Naturally found in South(East) Asia and North to Northwestern Australia, Pogostemon stellatus (also known as water star) is a semi-aquatic stem plant that's easy to recognize by its very long, dense, and narrow foliage. It has a wide natural range, which has led to several naturally occurring varieties popping up, all with slightly different leaf shapes and colors.

In the wild, this species grows mostly in seasonally dry habitats such as ditches and stream edges. When the water recedes in summer and the stems become emersed, the plant produces its lovely, bottle brush-like purple blooms.

The most common variation of Pogostemon stellatus is called 'Octopus'. Or that's what aquarists thought until now, anyway: this plant has somewhat recently become the subject of debate. Confusing about naming and categorization (taxonomy) of aquarium plants is common, and Pogostemon is no exception. It has a whole bunch of accepted and disputed Latin names and synonyms, including Dysophylla and Eusteralis.

In this case, it was concluded in an article for a German aquarium magazine in 2013 that the plant we have known for years as Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus' is actually a species of its own called Pogostemon quadrifolius. For the purposes of this article, we'll still include 'Octopus' here, though, as for most aquarists it's actually the most typical Pogostemon stellatus variety out there. Plus, their care is pretty much the same anyway!

Types of Pogostemon stellatus

This plant, in its wild form, can be recognized by its elongated, whispy foliage on straight, upright stems. The lower leaves are usually green, but if Pogostemon stellatus receives enough light, the tips can take on a lovely coppery, reddish hue.

The super-popular 'Octopus' variety lends its name from its more unruly appearance. The leaves are even longer and stick out in all directions; short stems have a star-like appearance that is indeed reminiscent of the tentacles of an octopus.

Selective cultivation and the presence of naturally occurring variants mean there's more than just the "standard" plant and 'Octopus' to choose from:

  • P. stellatus 'Narrowleaf': As the name suggests, very narrow (almost needle-like) foliage.
  • P. stellatus 'Dassen': Somewhat more compact, with narrow leaves and plenty of red coloration.
  • P. stellatus 'Broad Leaf': With wider leaf and strong red color. Also apparently known as 'Rubra'.
  • P. stellatus 'Kimberly': Wide leaves, quite tall and with star-like stem tips.
  • P. stellatus 'Shooting Star': Very full and tall, with long and narrow leaves.

Pogostemon stellatus requirements

The water star isn't a difficult plant to grow, although like all stem plants, it does need plenty of light to maintain its bushy appearance and reddish stem tips. Under weak lighting, it just starts looking sad over time, with gangly stems that may drop their lower leaves to conserve energy. 50-75 µmol should work well for your plant, although more is also not a problem.

We've listed this plant as "easy to intermediate", but the intermediate part is mostly just due to its lighting needs. Other than that, Pogostemon stellatus is a hardy, quick grower that doesn't require much of a green thumb on your part. It grows in any substrate, although because it's a root feeder, it especially appreciates nutrient-rich soils. If you can't provide this, some root tabs should also work well.

Dosing Co2 isn't necessary for your Pogostemon stellatus to thrive. Nutrient dosing is more important: you can add a liquid aquarium plant fertilizer directly to the water on a regular basis. If you keep shrimp, be sure to use a shrimp-safe brand!

Remember that this is a quick grower. The stems will reach the water surface within a few weeks, at which point they should be pruned so they don't start crowding out the light. Luckily, you can plant the clippings right back into the substrate to expand your Pogostemon forest.

DifficultyEasy to intermediate
LightingModerate to high
PlacementMidground to background
Temperature75-82 °F
pH6.0-7.8

Pogostemon stellatus uses

Like most stem plants, depending on the size of your aquarium, Pogostemon stellatus is most suitable for the mid- to background area. Its fluffy, bushy stems give loads of texture and add a nice pop of red color near the top.

We also think the red foliage at the tips, with its star-like shape, looks especially nice when viewed from above. This makes the water star a fine choice for lidless tanks.

Buying Pogostemon stellatus

As we've mentioned, this is a highly popular aquarium plant. Most local aquarium stores should carry at least one or two varieties, though be sure to only buy healthy plants. Consider a bleach dip (10 parts water, 1 part bleach) to prevent pests like snails from making their way into your tank.

You can also buy Pogostemon online. The Shrimp Farm offers the beloved Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus' and ships it right to your doorstep!

Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus' aquarium plant illustration
Sources

https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:454904-1

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/177402/7429640

Pogostemon quadrifolius – Ein neuer Wasserstern aus Laos. D. Aqua. u. Terr. Z. (Datz) 66 (5): 54–59.