Thanks to its unique beauty, the small star plant has become popular among many people. With its petite stature, this aquatic plant serves two main roles as a foreground and midground plant. Although it is an ornamental aquatic plant, its planting and care are quite simple. The article below will share with you the experience of planting and caring for this plant.
Some information about the Small Star Plant
Basic information about the plant
The Small Star Plant’s scientific name is Pogostemon Helferi, a terrestrial plant that can be submerged. It is found in Thailand and is locally named “small star.” Its petite shape resembles a star in the sky, making it very popular among aquascaping enthusiasts.
Care and planting environment for the Small Star Plant
If you want the small star plant to thrive and grow beautifully, you should place it in a location with high light. If the light is low, the plant will stretch to receive enough light. At this point, the “small star” shape will be distorted and not as attractive. This plant can sustainably live in a wide water temperature range (73.4 – 86 degrees F). Instead of slightly acidic water, it prefers alkaline water. Additionally, the small star plant is tolerant of changes in water chemistry. You may not know that the natural environment in Thailand constantly changes. This has forced this plant to adapt to survive.
Technical specifications:
- Origin: Asia
- Light: Medium to high
- Temperature: 20 – 30 degrees C
- Size: 3 – 10 cm
- CO2: Medium to high
- Growth rate: Medium
- Habitat: semi-aquatic and underwater
- pH: 5 – 7.5
- Type of plant: offsets, stem nodes
- Suitable for all gH but prefers high alkaline water.
How to plant and care for the Small Star Plant
How to plant the plant
Most places that supply this species grow it in small cups. Therefore, when you buy it, gently separate the plant from the cup with the old soil, wash the leaves and roots. Next, plant the plant into the substrate about 1.8 inches deep. You can divide the plant into 4 – 5 smaller branches for planting. Note that each smaller branch should be spaced 3 – 5 cm apart to allow for easy growth. After a short time, the branches will form a thick aquatic carpet. Remember to provide sufficient light to prevent the small star plant from stretching too high.
If you want your aquarium to look more attractive, you can plant the plant on porous rocks or driftwood. Use fishing line or soft thread to gently tie the roots around the rock or wood.
How to care
Small star plants prefer to absorb nutrients through their roots and leaves. You should add some liquid fertilizer if the substrate is weak or if you have few fish. The leaves will turn yellow or white if they lack nutrients. However, if you detect and provide nutrients in time, they will recover quickly. To improve care, you can use various substrate fertilizers. Especially trace and macro fertilizers after the substrate releases nutrients for 6 – 12 months.
You should trim the young plants at the top so that the plants near the roots do not lack light. The small star can be planted alongside other aquatic carpet plants. Don’t think this plant is easy to care for and neglect it. The leaves will age and decay, so you need to pay attention to trimming them immediately to avoid infected and spreading decayed leaves. The “small star” requires CO2 at a medium to high level, but it is not mandatory. At this time, the growth rate of the plant will be a bit challenging or slower. Additionally, you should clean the tank regularly to avoid a toxic environment. This will make the leaves of the small star very susceptible to decay.
Above is the experience of caring for and planting the small star plant that aquaplantshub.com wants to share with you. Not only for the small star, but I hope this article helps you in caring for other plants as well.
Nguyễn Thị Thu Thảo
