Aquatic PlantsAdvanced🌤️ Bright indirect

Pogostemon stellatus

Pogostemon stellatus · also called Eusteralis stellata, Star pogostemon, Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus'

🐾 Pet-safe

Generally non-toxic to cats and dogs.

A spectacular large background stem plant with whorls of narrow leaves that form star-like rosettes, flushing pink, orange, and purple under intense light. A demanding showpiece for high-tech tanks.

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Quick facts

Category	Aquatic Plants
Family	Lamiaceae
Native origin	Asia and Australia (India, Southeast Asia, northern Australia)
Care difficulty	Advanced
Light	Bright indirect
Pet toxicity	Pet-safe

Light

Requires high light (typically 50+ PAR) to display its dramatic coloration and tight, star-shaped whorls; under low light it grows green, sparse, and leggy. Among the more light-hungry stems in the hobby.

Water

Temperature 22-28 C (72-82 F), pH 5.5-7.5, soft to moderately hard water (GH 3-12). A heavy feeder: needs generous, balanced water-column dosing of macros and micros. Sensitive to deficiencies — nitrogen and potassium shortfalls quickly show as deformed or pale new growth.

Soil & potting

A rooted stem plant (not an epiphyte) that does best in nutrient-rich aquasoil; supplement inert substrates with root tabs. Strong root feeding plus water-column dosing gives the healthiest, most colorful growth. Plant stems individually into the substrate.

Environment — humidity, temperature, placement

CO2 is effectively required for good results — this is a high-tech plant that struggles without stable, pressurized CO2. Use as a background centerpiece. Prefers good, even flow and stable parameters. Grows emersed and submersed; transitioning stems may melt before adapting.

Propagation

Propagate by topping and replanting the tops; the base branches vigorously into side shoots, and lateral shoots can be separated and replanted. Grows tall quickly under ideal conditions, requiring regular trimming.

Toxicity detail

Non-toxic and safe with fish, shrimp, and snails. Native across Asia and Australia; not regarded as an aquarium-trade invasive, but do not release into waterways.

Growth stages

How this plant changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.

Photo coming soon

Spore / recruit

Aquatic plants and macroalgae establish from spores, seeds, or drifting fragments that settle and attach to substrate or rock. Many freshwater aquarium plants and marine macroalgae also spread readily from a detached piece that takes root or holdfast.

Photo coming soon

Young growth

Young growth puts out its first blades, fronds, or leaves and anchors with roots or a holdfast. Submersed plants may look different from their emersed form, and growth speeds up as the plant adapts to the water's light and nutrients.

Mature

A mature aquatic plant or macroalga reaches its full size and characteristic shape, forming the dense growth, runners, or fronds typical of the species. Established plants spread to fill space and can be divided or trimmed to propagate.

Sources

Pogostemon stellatus - Tropica Aquarium Plants (care guide)
Pogostemon stellatus - Wikipedia (encyclopedia)