Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus Floating Plant?

[Zach K]

I just got this plant in with my aquarium coop order. Was thinking to let it float and not put it substrate, can it grow this way? Looking for a plant to help fry hide in.

Edited October 30, 2021 by Zach K

[Guppysnail]

Yes it can be a beautiful floating plant. 

[mountaintoppufferkeeper]

Agreed floats well for me and is a good hiding spot in many tanks

[Atitagain]

I agree as well, and I found that my Oscar and African cichlids won’t eat it so I’m propagating some to float in both their tanks.

[anewbie]

While you can float it that is one plant I highly recommend you plant and cut it frequently so it branches.

[PineSong]

On 10/30/2021 at 12:29 PM, anewbie said:

While you can float it that is one plant I highly recommend you plant and cut it frequently so it branches.

This is what I've done. The planted pogo octopus means you have leaves from the floor of the tank all the way to the top--it's not super dense (at least mine isn't) but at least there is something to break up line of sight/hide fry. Then I also cut it back regularly and float the clippings in that tank or another one.that tank or another one.

Edited October 31, 2021 by PineSong
Duplicates

[Patrick_G]

I agree, if it’s planted and trimmed often you’ll get a nice bottom to top plant with plenty of hides. The more you trim it the denser it gets. 

[Torrey]

On 10/30/2021 at 6:57 PM, PineSong said:

This is what I've done. The planted pogo octopus means you have leaves from the floor of the tank all the way to the top--it's not super dense (at least mine isn't) but at least there is something to break up line of sight/hide fry. Then I also cut it back regularly and float the clippings in that tank or another one.that tank or another one.

I float cuttings in fry tanks, and plant (and clip regularly) in my larger tanks.

Nice thing about floating:

When you start a new tank, you can cut at the base of every 5th node, and plant the cutting for rapid propagation. 

[Mary Mckinny]

will the pogo octopus cutting grow roots? I have one that super long in a 75g that I want to cut in half but Im not sure if I can "plant" the cuttings, leave them floating for a while or toss.

[Patrick_G]

On 11/2/2021 at 10:59 AM, Mary Mckinny said:

will the pogo octopus cutting grow roots? I have one that super long in a 75g that I want to cut in half but Im not sure if I can "plant" the cuttings, leave them floating for a while or toss.

I plant my cuttings, but I’ve had a few accidentally float and they did fine. If you trim them and replant often  you’ll get a much denser plant. 

[Goosedub]

On 11/2/2021 at 12:59 PM, Mary Mckinny said:

will the pogo octopus cutting grow roots? I have one that super long in a 75g that I want to cut in half but Im not sure if I can "plant" the cuttings, leave them floating for a while or toss.

They will grow roots at the nodes. Most stem plants you can just cut and stick in the substrate