Pogostemon erectus

Overview

Pogostemon erectus is a very elegant stem plant with fine, needle-like leaves arranged in whorls, giving it the look of a tiny fir tree or foxtail. The name says it all: it grows straight and upright without flopping over, which makes it great for adding vertical lines and fine texture to the background. It is native to India, where it grows in wetlands and seasonally flooded banks.

Aquascapers love it in Dutch-style and nature-style layouts because its airy texture contrasts nicely with broad-leaved plants. Under good lighting the tips may take on a slight pink blush. It is not one of the easiest plants: in low light or with too few nutrients it stalls, so it is best suited to planted tanks with decent lighting.

Care and tank setup

Use it in the background or rear midground, in groups of many stems so it forms a mass of fine texture.

• Light: medium to high. In low light the gaps between leaf whorls stretch and the stems look sparse.
• CO2: optional, though with CO2 it grows faster, more compact and healthier.
• Substrate: an aquasoil or root tabs; it develops a good root system.
• Planting: single stems about an inch apart, with leaves stripped from the buried section.

Give it open space in front and to the sides: if shaded, it drops its lower leaves. It prefers soft to moderately hard, stable water. A typical mistake is adding it to a dimly lit, unfertilized tank, where it stops growing and eventually fades away. Shrimp and small fish use it as cover.

Fertilizing and trimming

It needs steady comprehensive fertilization with nitrogen, potassium and micronutrients; whitish or stunted tips usually signal a deficiency. Trim by cutting the tops when they near the surface and replant them; the trimmed base sprouts several side shoots. Every so often, rebuild the group so it does not get bare at the bottom.

Propagation

It propagates from 3-4 inch top cuttings, which root within one to two weeks, and from the side shoots that appear after trimming. It grows slowly at first until it settles in, so plant plenty of stems. Put trimmings in the trash or compost, never in streams or ponds.

Recommended equipment

What you need to keep the Pogostemon erectus healthy, checked against Amazon stock.