Stromanthe ‘Triostar’

Description

Stromanthe Triostar- A Complete Guide

Member of the famous prayer plants family and relative of the Calathea genus, Stromanthe Triostar makes for beautiful house décor. The plant is not difficult to keep alive, but it’s no easy task to keep it spotless. For this reason, we do not recommend this plant for beginner gardeners. If you wish to add a Magenta Triostar plant to your collection of houseplants, remember this: your plant will expect a lot of extra attention and nurturing.

With proper care, a stromanthe can grow up to 2 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet across.

Fun fact: Triostar plants love light so much that they literally reach for the stars after the sun sets. The broad and oblong, glossy leaves of this plant fold up at night to show off their patterned undersides.

History

The botanical name for the commonly called triostar plant is Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar. It is native to the rainforests of Brazil and therefore requires high humidity and warm temperatures to thrive. The plant naturally grows in zones 9-11.

Stromanthe belongs to the arrowroot or prayer plant family, the Marantaceae, also called Maranta. The plant is also marketed under the name ‘tricolor,’ when in reality, the original cultivar is ‘tristar.’ Another issue with the naming of the plant is that its species was changed to S.Thalia, but we never see it in trade.

Caring for your Triostar Plant

Strictly follow these instructions to care for your stromanthe, allowing healthy growth.

Light

Like any other tropical plant, it needs light that mimics the light available to the species in a rainforest environment. Find a warm, well-lit spot for your stromanthe triostar to provide it with the best chance of thriving. It prefers bright light, but avoid keeping it under direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.

Also, remember to regularly dust your plant, so it receives sufficient light. If you see your stromanthe’s leaves turning pale or yellow, it is a sign that your plants are not getting enough light. You can turn your plant once a week for pronounced variegation and even growth.

However, if you notice dry, brown spots on the leaves, it may be a sign that they’re burning and your plant is getting too much sun.

Soil

Choose well-draining, breathable, and light soil for your triostar plant. Equal parts perlite and potting mix work well for these plants.

Also, make sure it retains moisture at all times. The soil should remain consistently moist but not soggy.

Water

To ensure proper care for your stromanthe triostar, it is important that your plant gets enough water. Making mistakes in watering patterns can negatively affect your plant’s health.

You can water it when the top 1 or 2 inches of the soil begin to feel dry. Remember to keep the soil slightly damp, but your plant should not be sitting in wet soil as that can damage the roots.

You can water your plant more frequently during the summer season, but don’t forget to cut down on watering during the winters. Do not use tap water as this plant tends to be sensitive to chemicals. You can leave tap water in an open container overnight for chemicals like fluoride and chlorine to evaporate. Distilled water is ideal to avoid any fussiness from your plant. You also need to be careful about the temperature of the water. Make sure the water isn’t too warm or overly chilled.

If your triostar plant has any watering issues, its leaves will show. Leaves turning brown are a sign that your plant needs a good bath. Remove your plant from the pot and let it sit in a dish of water for a few hours. Then, you can drain, rinse, and repot it. Yellow leaves mean that your plant is facing an issue with waterlogged soil. For this, let your plant’s soil dry for some weeks before starting to water it again.

Fertilizer

Feed your stromanthe triostar plant once a month during spring and summer with a standard houseplant fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing in winters when the plant goes dormant. Make sure to dilute the fertilizer to half its strength. If the solution is too strong and used very frequently, it can result in root burn. You can also choose to opt for organic fertilizers as they are less potent and won’t need diluting.

Common Issues with the Stromathe Triostar

The beautiful head-turner plant is prone to a few issues of pests and diseases.

Pests and Diseases

In low humidity conditions, stromanthe may attract common plant-suckers such as aphids and spider mites. You can use a mild horticultural soap or neem oil to eliminate this problem.

Another issue that humidity causes are that if the plant gets too dry, it can develop mold and fungus. To avoid this, try misting your plant every day to keep the environment humid.

Pruning

You will only need to prune your stromanthe sanguinea triostar to maintain its size and shape. You can groom your plant any time of the year. However, the ideal time would be during spring before the plant enters its growing season.

Use pruning shears to remove any damaged leaves. Make sure to do this near the main stem.

Propagation

Unfortunately, you cannot propagate a triostar plant from a stem cutting. Don’t worry, though, because if you wish to, you can propagate this plant using the division method. You can do this during spring/summer.

• Separate some rhizomes from a healthy parent plant and make divisions, with each having at least 3 to 4 leaves
• Add fresh soil to a new pot
• Water the soil to add even moisture
• Plant one division in each pot
• Replant the mother plant

Potting/Repotting

Triostars do well in pots like most houseplants. Choose a pot that is deep enough to accommodate the roots but not too deep. Larger depth can cause the water to sink and become stagnant. Also, ensure that your pots have drainage holes to prevent water-logging issues.

If you see the roots of your plant beginning to grow through the bottom of the plant, it is time to repot. It is the best to do this during springtime. You can repot your plant every few years to help your plant thrive.