🌿 Pogostemon helferi – Compact “Daonoi” with Curled Leaves for Foreground Texture

Pogostemon helferi, commonly known as Daonoi or Downoi, is a truly unique foreground plant admired for its curly, ruffled leaves and compact growth. Native to Thailand, this species is ideal for adding intricate texture and vibrant green contrast in aquascapes. Its unusual leaf shape makes it a standout choice in Nature-style and Iwagumi layouts.

With proper care—moderate to high light, consistent CO₂ injection, and a nutrient-rich substrate—Pogostemon helferi forms dense, rosette-like clusters that resemble aquatic flowers. Though small in stature, it has a bold visual impact and becomes a lush carpet in stable, high-tech setups.

🌟 Key Features

• Scientific Name: Pogostemon helferi

• Synonyms: Pogostemon helferi 'Downoi'

• Common Name: Daonoi, Downoi

• Leaf Shape: Curled, wavy, deeply serrated

• Coloration: Bright green

• Growth Habit: Compact rosettes with creeping spread

• Placement: Foreground

🌱 Growth & Propagation

• Light Requirement: Medium to High

• CO₂ Requirement: Recommended for compact, healthy growth

• Growth Rate: Slow to Medium

• Propagation Method: Division of runners or offshoots

• Nutrient Substrate: Required

• Can Be Grown Emersed: Yes

🖼️ Aquascaping Benefits

• Unique ruffled leaves add visual texture and contrast to foreground layouts

• Ideal for Iwagumi and Nature-style tanks

• Forms low-growing, ornamental clusters perfect for nano to large tanks

• Great companion to carpeting plants like Monte Carlo or Cuba

📦 What You’ll Receive:

Sold as loose fresh-cut plants, or potted plants:

• Bare-root Plants: Approx. 2-3 individual small plants, loose and with some root

• Potted Plants: Approx. 2-3 small plants with root potted in rockwool and net pot

⚠️ Disclaimer:
Pogostemon helferi may experience temporary melt or leaf loss when transitioning to a new environment. Ensure stable lighting, CO₂, and nutrients for successful adaptation and compact form.

🚫 State Restrictions Notice ♻️ Be a Responsible Aquatic Plants Owner
Never release live aquatic plants into natural waterways. Always dispose of trimmings and excess plants responsibly to prevent ecological disruption.

 WHAT WE GUARANTEE

24 Hours Live Arrival Guarantee* - In a rare case of live stocks dead on arrival, we must be notified within 24 hours by the same day of delivery. Please take clear photos of the damaged product and send it to us within 24 hours.  Live Arrival Guarantee will be void after 24 hours of delivery. All replacements are considered final and we will not replace the replacement.

1. Picture requirements: Take at least 2 clear photos of damaged product in their original, unopened & sealed transparent packing and send photos and orders information to our email within 24 hours: aquariumplantsfactory@gmail.com 
2. Please do not take picture of damaged plants, or animals in your aquarium. Once they have been introduced to your aquarium's ecosystem. It is no longer covered by our guarantee.

Please be aware that our Live Arrival Guarantee is subject to certain conditions. Specifically, the guarantee will not be applicable in cases where the package is marked as 'invalid address', 'undeliverable' or is 'returned to sender.' This includes situations such as a vacant delivery address, a missing apartment number, or any other issues that prevent the postal service from delivering your package.

It is crucial to provide accurate and complete shipping information to ensure the successful delivery of your order and the applicability of the Live Arrival Guarantee.

Please keep in mind that Live Arrival Guarantee only guarantees that live stocks will be alive upon arrival. We cannot guarantee that you will continue to have success with them. Many factors, including the aquarium environment, water quality, nutrient, temperature, lighting, filter, and CO2 system, can contribute to the failure to grow live plants and live animals.

WHAT WE CAN'T GUARANTEE

Even though our plants are very clean, but we can't guarantee they will be 100% pest-free because we cannot be responsible for your aquarium. Please use it at your own risk. We recommended all customers rinse the plants with clean water and quarantine them before use.

However, plants in tissue culture will be 100% free from pests, algae and never have been contacting with any aquarium.

1. Due to the nature of the product. We don't guarantee our plants will be pests free. ( snails, algae, hitchhikers )
2. We don't guarantee our plants will be free of pesticides. We use homemade, organic pesticides in our greenhouse to control pests. We do not use pesticides that contain copper. Copper is toxic to invertebrates such as aquatic snails, crabs, shrimps, etc
3. We don't guarantee your aquarium success or are responsible for your aquarium inhabitant including but not limited to fish, shrimp, snail, turtle, etc. So please quarantine all plants when use!
4. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be grow emerged or submerge.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.