Octopus Plant
Pogostemon octopus
Also known as Octopus Pogostemon
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Lamiales›Lamiaceae
📍 Southeast Asia
Unique plant with long, thin tentacle-like leaves arranged in whorls. Fast-growing, forgiving, and adaptable. Excellent hiding place for fry and shrimp.
Keep Octopus Plant? Log your tank and get a health score for it.
Community Photos
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by @reygallardo
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 2 tanks2 public tanks growing Octopus Plant, shown below.
Compatible Livestock
See all 6 →Shrimp graze on algae and detritus without damaging plant leaves; plant provides shelter
Excellent algae control and plant maintenance; safe for delicate foliage
Peaceful algae eaters that won't uproot or damage stem plants
Small, peaceful fish that benefit from plant cover without harming vegetation
Companion plant that creates dense cover and shares similar care requirements
Complementary foreground plant that creates layered aquascaping with Octopus Plant
Common Diseases
Nutrient Deficiency
Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, pale coloration, leaf holes
Increase fertilizer dosing; use all-in-one liquid fertilizers or add root tabs; ensure adequate lighting
Algae Overgrowth
Green or brown algae coating plant leaves, reduced light penetration
Reduce lighting duration to 8-10 hours daily; increase water changes; add algae-eating fish or shrimp; reduce nutrient excess
Stem Rot
Mushy, darkened stems; foul odor; leaf loss
Remove affected stems immediately; improve water circulation with aeration; reduce organic waste; perform 30-50% water change
Melting
Rapid leaf deterioration and transparency after planting
Maintain stable water parameters; ensure adequate lighting and nutrients; be patient as plant acclimates (usually resolves in 2-4 weeks)
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
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Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.