Pogostemon Stellata

 Pogostemon stellatus (also known as Water Star Plant)

Plant Profile

• Scientific Name: Pogostemon stellatus
• Common Names: Water Star Plant, Star Plant
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Origin: Asia and Australia
• Height: 20–60 cm (up to 90 cm in large tanks)
• Leaf Shape: Narrow, needle-like leaves arranged in a star pattern
• Color: Green to reddish hues under strong light
• Placement: Midground to Background 

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
• pH: 5.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (1–18°dKH)
• KH: 1–18°dKH 

Lighting & CO₂

• Lighting: High (intense light required for compact growth and vibrant color)
• CO₂: High demand; benefits greatly from stable CO₂ injection (15–25 mg/L) 

Growth & Care

• Growth Rate: Medium to Fast
• Difficulty: Difficult (requires stable conditions and strong light)
• Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate essential
• Fertilization: Consistent macro/micro dosing; iron supplementation prevents pale leaves 

Propagation

• Method: Stem cuttings – trim tops and replant
• Trimming: Regular trimming encourages bushy growth and prevents legginess 

Special Features

• Produces purple flowers when grown emersed
• Ideal for Dutch-style aquascapes or as a focal point in nature layouts
• Sensitive to nutrient deficiencies; sudden growth stops can occur even under good conditions 

Color Enhancement Tips

• High PAR lighting (50–70 µmol at substrate level)
• CO₂ injection + iron-rich fertilization
• Maintain nitrate (10–50 mg/L) and phosphate (0.1–3 mg/L) for healthy growth