Pogostemon erectus
Stiff, vertical stems lined with fine needle-like green leaves arranged in dense whorls — reads like an underwater conifer or a more upright juniper. Grows in tight bunches, perfect for filling background gaps with structure.
Pogostemon Erectus (Pogostemon erectus) is a stem aquatic plant for the background to midground of a planted tank. It reaches 20–40 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: recommended. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Substrate: Aquasoil preferred. Propagate via top cuttings.
Care at a glance
Stiff, vertical stems lined with fine needle-like green leaves arranged in dense whorls — reads like an underwater conifer or a more upright juniper. Grows in tight bunches, perfect for filling background gaps with structure.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether pogostemon erectus fits in your tank.
Lamiaceae
Stem
Background to midground
Aquasoil preferred
Top cuttings
India
India
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: recommended. Light requirement: medium to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a fast rate.
Pogostemon Erectus (Pogostemon erectus) needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background to midground. Substrate: Aquasoil preferred It typically reaches 20–40 cm.
Propagation method: Top cuttings. Pogostemon Erectus is a stem plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
