Pogostemon erectus - Cup

Pogostemon erectus is a vivid green stem plant whose fine, needle-like leaves look like rows of tiny conifer trees. Planted in a group it forms a dense, bushy stand with a soft texture that contrasts beautifully against broad-leaved plants and hardscape. This one arrives in a clean tissue-culture cup, so it is grown in vitro and ships free of snails, algae, and pesticides, with plenty of healthy plantlets to spread across your scape. Browse the rest of our freshwater aquarium plants.

Why Tissue Culture

Tissue-culture plants are propagated in a sterile lab gel rather than an outdoor farm. That means no hitchhiking pest snails, no algae spores, and no leftover pesticides that can harm shrimp and other invertebrates. You also get many small plantlets in one cup, which you can separate and plant individually for faster, fuller coverage.

Care Guide

Light: Medium to high light brings out the tightest, bushiest growth. Under low light the stems stretch and thin out.
CO2: Strongly recommended. Pogostemon erectus rewards injected CO2 with compact, lush stems and can sulk without it.
Substrate & ferts: A nutrient-rich substrate plus regular liquid fertilizer keeps growth dense and green.
Planting: Rinse the gel off the roots, separate into small portions, and plant each stem an inch or so apart in the midground or background. Trim and replant the tops to thicken the stand.

Specifications

In the Aquascape

Use Pogostemon erectus as a soft green hedge in the midground or as a textured backdrop. Its fine, vertical lines pull the eye upward and make a striking contrast next to broad rosette plants, wood, and stone. Plant several stems together for the best visual impact, and trim the tops every couple of weeks to keep the stand tight and full.

Pairs Well With

• Bacopa Monnieri for an easy contrasting stem
• Hygrophila Pinnatifida for textured midground structure
• More options in our freshwater plant collection

FAQ

Do I need CO2 to grow this?
You will get the best, most compact growth with CO2. It can be grown without injected CO2 in a well-lit, well-fertilized tank, but expect slower and leggier results.

How do I plant a tissue-culture cup?
Gently rinse the gel from the roots under dechlorinated water, separate the clump into small portions, and plant each portion in the substrate. Spacing them out gives you faster full coverage.

Is it safe for shrimp?
Yes. Because it is tissue cultured, there are no pesticides, making it a safe choice for shrimp and other sensitive invertebrates.