Leaf colourgreen
Native range
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- China South-Central
- India
- Myanmar
stem plant background midground
Long narrow leaves in loose whorls that curl outward like tentacles — hence the nickname. A close relative of the star pogostemon, and far simpler to grow.
- Light
- medium
- Difficulty
- easy
Parameters
Plant typestem plant
Growth ratevery fast
Tolerates lightmedium – high
Carbonate hardness1 – 18 °dKH
Placementbackground, midground
Propagationcuttings
Grows emersedyes
Appearance
Narrow leaves in whorls of four along an upright stem, mid green, with the tips bending outward. In a group the outline is soft and slightly wild rather than neat.
Keeping
Easy and very fast: it grows strongly over a wide range of conditions, needs no carbon dioxide and asks only for medium light. Regular trimming keeps it tidy — replanted tops grow quickly, while side shoots start slower, which makes them handier in a small tank.
Placement
The middle or back of the tank, in a group. It fills space quickly in a new setup.
Propagation
By cuttings: replant the tops or the side shoots.