Want the Starwort shape without the colour shift? Pogostemon 'Octopus' grows the same vivid grass-like whorls that radiate out like stars — but it stays green whatever your light and nutrients do, where common Pogostemon stellatus shifts to green-purple. What You’ll Receive Sold as loose Fresh-cut plants, Bunched plants, or Potted plants Fresh-cut plants | Approx. 5 stems, loose fresh-cut stems without root Bunched plants | Approx. 5 fresh-cut stems without roots, bundled with foam, and lead weight Potted plants | Approx. 5 fresh-cut stems without roots, potted with net pot and Rockwool Plant Profile Common name — Pogostemon Octopus, also known as Starwort, Water Star Scientific name — Pogostemon sp. 'Octopus' Also known as — Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus', Pogostemon quadrifolius, Eusteralis stellata Origin — Laos and Thailand Placement — Midground to background Mature height — 8–16 in Growth rate — Medium Care Difficulty — Intermediate Light — Medium to high, though it grows well in less CO₂ — Recommended, not required Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5 Substrate — Required. Root and water column feeder Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed Propagation — Stem cuttings Grower’s Notes Green is the feature, not a failure. If you have grown Pogostemon stellatus and been frustrated that it went purple, or wanted the star shape in a green layout, this is the variant that holds its colour regardless of conditions. Those dense whorls make excellent cover. It is a genuinely useful plant in breeding and shrimp tanks, where fry and shrimplets shelter among the star-shaped leaves. Trim and replant the tops. Each cut branches the stem, which thickens the stand. Handle it by the base — the fine whorled leaves strip off where you grip, and bare nodes do not refoliate. Want the colour-changing version? See Pogostemon stellatus. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Pogostemon Care Guide. Notes Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, and pesticides, grow emerged or submerged. Some aquatic plants are restricted in certain U.S. states — check before ordering, and never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
