🌿 Overview

Pogostemon stellatus ‘Dassen’ – Purple is an exquisite freshwater stem plant native to Southeast Asia. Its long, undulating, purple-red leaves radiate from the stem in a star-like pattern, creating a visually stunning centerpiece for high-tech planted aquariums.

This plant is not beginner-friendly and requires stable water conditions, CO₂ supplementation, and nutrient-rich substrate to maintain its vibrant color and compact growth. It is highly prized by aquascapers and collectors for its dramatic appearance and competition-ready aesthetic.

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🍃 Appearance

• Purple-red, star-shaped leaves with wavy margins
• Forms bushy midground or background clusters
• Height: 20–40 cm
• Compact, dense growth under high-light and CO₂ conditions
• Adds vibrant color contrast and texture to aquascapes

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🌿 Plant Type (Hard/Soft)

• Type: Stem plant
• Category: Soft aquatic plant
• Growth rate: Moderate to fast under high-tech conditions

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🌡️ Ideal Water Temperature

• 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)

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💡 Lighting Conditions

• High lighting required
• Moderate light may cause leggy growth and dull colors
• Strong light ensures compact growth and vivid purple coloration

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🌿 CO₂ Requirement

• Essential
• CO₂ promotes faster growth, compact leaves, and vibrant coloration

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⚗️ Ideal pH Level

• pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Slightly acidic to neutral water preferred

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💧 Other Requirements

• Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate recommended
• Fertilization: Benefits from root tabs and liquid fertilizers
• Water hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Regular trimming maintains shape and encourages bushy clusters
• Sensitive to water parameter fluctuations

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🌱 Propagation

• Propagates via stem cuttings
• Cut healthy stems and replant in nutrient-rich substrate
• Develops side shoots quickly under high-light and CO₂

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💡 Do You Know?

Pogostemon stellatus ‘Dassen’ – Purple is a rare variant of Pogostemon stellatus, prized for its deep purple foliage and dramatic star-shaped leaves. It is one of the most sought-after high-tech aquarium plants for nature-style aquascapes and aquascaping competitions.

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🏷️ Plant Category Classification

🟢 Beginner Friendly

❌ No – Requires precise care and stable conditions

🟢 Non-CO₂ Plant (Low-Tech)

❌ No – Poor growth without CO₂ and high-intensity lighting

🟢 High-Tech Plant

✔ Yes – Thrives under CO₂, strong lighting, and nutrient-rich substrate