Pogostemon Octopus

Want the Starwort shape without the color 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
• Shipped size — Approx. 5 fresh-cut stems, roughly 4-8 in
• Mature height — 8–16 in
• Suits — 20 gallons and up
• 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 — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

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 color 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 color-changing version? See Pogostemon stellatus, which runs green to purple under strong light.

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.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

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.