Pogostemon sp. 'Dassen'

Pogostemon sp. 'Dassen' is an extremely compact-growing Pogostemon form from a specialist collector source, characterised by densely packed, fine whorled leaves on very short internodes that maintain a small, bushy silhouette without the frequent trimming required by larger Pogostemon species. The foliage is bright green and the whorls are tight and precisely formed.

Its compact stature — typically 10–25 cm — makes it ideal for the midground of medium-sized tanks where standard Pogostemon erectus would be too tall. It still requires the full high-tech treatment (high light and CO2 injection) to maintain its characteristic compact form; without these the internodes elongate and the plant loses its distinctive character.

A rare and collectible form primarily available through specialist dealers and hobbyist plant swaps. It fills a useful niche as a structured, medium-height whorled stem plant that bridges the gap between foreground detail plants and large background Pogostemona.

Light: High (60–100 PAR); compact whorled growth requires strong illumination. CO2: Required at 20–30 mg/L; internodes elongate without CO2, ruining the compact form. Fertilisation: Regular balanced micro and macro dosing; iron maintains vivid green colour. Placement: Midground; individual stems or small groups of 3–5 with 3 cm spacing. Propagation: Cut tops at 8–10 cm and replant; lateral shoots develop within 10–14 days.