🌿 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Pogostemon erectus
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Common Name: (Often just called the same) Pogostemon erectus
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Origin: India
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Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
🪴 Appearance
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Color: Vibrant lime to medium green
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Shape: Soft, fine, needle-like leaves in dense whorls around upright stems
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Height: ~15–40 cm (6–16 inches)
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Growth habit: Straight, upright; columnar and bushy with trimming
💡 Care Requirements
| Condition | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Medium to high (promotes compact, upright growth) |
| CO₂ | Recommended for dense, vibrant appearance |
| Substrate | Nutrient-rich preferred |
| Temperature | 22–28°C (72–82°F) |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness | Soft to medium |
🌱 Growth & Propagation
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Growth rate: Moderate
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Propagation: Cut and replant stem tops
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Trimming: Encourages bushier form and better light penetration
⚠️ Tips & Notes
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Without enough light, stems can grow spindly and lose their dense, vertical look.
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Looks best in groups—plant stems close together in bunches for a dense pine-forest vibe.
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Can shade out lower plants if allowed to grow tall without trimming.
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Adds beautiful texture contrast next to broadleaf plants like Cryptocoryne or red species like Alternanthera reineckii.
🌟 Aquascaping Use
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Excellent for background or midground in larger tanks.
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Its fine texture and vertical lines make it a favorite in Dutch aquascapes and nature-style layouts.
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Plays beautifully with light and shadows—especially with good CO₂ and clean water.
