Pogostemon Helferi

Position at middle to foreground Soft to hard water  Temperature range 20-30C / 68-86F pH range 6.0 - 7.5  Medium to Strong Light  Relatively easy to care for

This is a recent but welcome addition to the plants that are available to the aquarist.  Grown under strong lighting the plant keeps a compact curly growth pattern and makes a great addition to the foreground.  If you grow it under weaker light it can tend to grow longer forming shoots of up to fifteen cm in length.

It is a fast growing plant that spreads easily by forming offshoots that can be planted to become independent plants.  These need to be planted 3-5 cm apart to form a thick carpet.  It is also attractive to some plant eating fish so choose your fish carefully if you want this plant to flourish.  It can be susceptible to iron deficiency but this is easily diagnosed as teh edges of the leaves will start to yellow.  It is also as easily remedied with the addition of an iron rich fertiliser.