Pogostemon helferi, also called Little Star, is a very decorative aquarium plant. Its natural range is in South Asia, in this country it is commercially available. But new specimens can also be obtained at home by propagation. We will tell you how to do this with head cuttings and side shoots.
Pogostemon helferi is easy to propagate from cuttings
Cut head cuttings
The Little Star sprouts stems on which green, curled leaves are arranged in a rosette. If a stem has grown high enough, you can cut off the top and plant elsewhere. With a maximum height of around 10 cm, this aquatic plant is rather small, which is why a sure instinct is required.
- cut below a stem node (nordium).
- trim all leaves
Cut side shoots
If the Pogostemon helferi plant finds ideal growth conditions in the aquarium, it can spread like a carpet and form plenty of side shoots. These can also be cut for propagation. The procedure is the same as for the head cuttings.
tips
If the plant spreads a lot in its place in the aquarium, you can cut it vigorously. The resulting cuttings can be used to green other parts of the water basin that have not yet been planted.
Use a sharp cutting tool
This mini aquarium plant is a sensitive plant. Injuries can lead to a head cutting or side shoot not growing properly or even dying. The mother plant can also die. That's why it's important that cutting leaves only smooth, clean cuts that can heal well.
Therefore, only use clean, sharp cutting tools. Do not touch the parts of the plant with your fingers, as bruising may occur. Use planting tweezers instead.
Plant the head cutting and side shoot
Choose a location as close to the front of the aquarium as possible. You can simply plant the shoot in the ground. You may need to support it with pebbles or something. But Kleiner Stern can also grow well as a sitter. To do this, you have to tie the side shoot or cutting to a stone or root. Use a soft nylon cord for this so that there are no cuts.
tips
After the new plant has formed adhesive roots, you can remove the fastening material again. Again, be careful not to hurt Pogostemon helferi.