Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How to care for your Stromanthe Triostar. Don’t panic because it’s as easy as singing a lullaby.
OK, maybe it’s not that easy since it’s not recommended for beginners. It’s not difficult to keep a Stromanthe Triostar alive, but it’s hard to keep them pristine. The Stromanthe Triostar or Stromanthe sanguinea, also knowns as Magenta Triostar, is a tropical plant famous for its full variegate green-and-white leaves that glows with pinkish hues. However, you need to be patient because this plant requires a bit of TLC to keep it happy and healthy.
Fun Fact: The Stromanthe Triostar loves sunlight so much that this plant would literally reach for the stars as the sunlight fades.
The Stromanthe Triostar is a relative of the Calathea plant, so don’t be surprised if you see its leaves fold up at night. It needs highly filtered light and a humid environment to look its best since its native to the jungles of Brazil. With the right amount of care, this plant can grow 2 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet across. It’s not as big compared to Rubber Tree, but adding a Stromanthe Triostar will definitely create a dreamy tropical vibe to your space. Here are the things you need to learn how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar.
Botanical Name | Stromanthe sanguinea |
Common Name | Magenta Triostar, Stromanthe, Tricolor, or Triostar |
Plant Size | 2 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet across |
Types of Stromanthe Triostar Plants | Stromanthe Amabilis: gray-green foliage with dark green markings. |
Sunlight | Stromanthe Triostar grows best under indirect light, so it’s best to place your plant in a warm, well-lit spot. Never put your Stromanthe Triostar under direct sunlight. |
Water | Keep the soil slightly damp, but not soggy. Water your Stromanthe Triostar when the top inch of the soil is dry. |
Humidity | Stromanthe Triostar loves a humid environment, so it’s best if you can mist it every day. |
Temperature | It prefers a warm room temperature between 65-80°F. |
Toxicity | Non-toxic to humans and pets. |
Food | Feed your Stromanthe Triostar with a fertilizer diluted to half-strength once per month in the spring and summer. |
Pests & Problems | High humidity can cause fungal disease. Also, aphids are their biggest pest, but you can eliminate these insects with a mild horticultural soap or neem oil spray. |
Omysa Plant Care Tip | Stromanthe Triostar love moisture and humidity, so it’s best to mist it every day. |
Stromanthe Triostar Plant Care Tips
Growing a Stromanthe Triostar requires a bit of patience and TLC since this plant can throw an ugly tantrum if they don’t get their way. It’s also the main reason why it’s not recommended for new plant parents. One of the things you should keep in mind if you’re planning to get a Stromanthe Triostar is to create a watering schedule and to keep the place humid.
Here’s a complete explanation of how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar, from sunlight requirement to common problems and its solutions.
Sunlight
First, on our list on how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar is to find a warm, well-lit spot. It prefers bright, indirect light or the type of light that mimics what would be found in a rainforest. Never put your Stromanthe Triostar direct sun because it can burn the leaves.
Common Problem: Pale leaves or yellow leaves in your Stromanthe Triostar means insufficient light.
Solution: Stromanthe Triostar loves light, so it’s best to turn the plant once a week to ensure even growth. You will notice that the leaves variegation will be more pronounced if you do this every week.
Water
Next on our list on how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar is to water it when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. Also, it’s important to keep the soil slightly damp but not soggy. Be careful to not overwater because this could lead to root rot. Water your Stromanthe Triostar less during winter.
Common Problem: The leaves on your Stromanthe Triostar are turning brown on the edges or yellow. This means that you either overwatered or underwatered the plant or you should check the water’s quality.
Solution: It’s so easy to think that giving water each week is enough to keep your plant alive. However, don’t forget that Stromanthe Triostar needs extra TLC to keep it growing.
- If the leaves of your plant are turning brown, remove it from its pot and give it a good shower in the sink. Allow it to sit in a dish of water for a few hours before draining and returning to the pot.
- If the leaves of your Stromanthe Triostar is turning yellow, let its soil dry before watering. Usually, this will take a few weeks.
- Keep in mind that Stromanthe Triostar is sensitive to the chemicals found in most tap water. Use filtered water or leave your tap water in an open container overnight. This will evaporate chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride.
Humidity & Temperature
Adding to our list on how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar is to place it in a humid spot of your home or mist it every day. It also prefers a warm room temperature between 65-80°F.
Common Problem: If the leaves start to droop or turns brown on the edges or yellow, this means that the humidity level is too low for your plant.
Solution: Mist the leaves of your Stromanthe Triostar often to increase the humidity.
Toxicity
Stromanthe Triostar is non-toxic to humans and pets. However, it’s best to keep the plant away from your pets because they might chew the leaves.
Food
Another on our list on how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar is to feed it with a fertilizer diluted to half-strength once per month in the spring and summer. Never apply the fertilizer on dry soil.
Common Problem: When leaves are turning brown or yellow, but it’s not because of light or watering problem.
Solution:Fertilizer burn is the result of applying too much fertilizer to your Stromanthe Triostar. Fertilizer contains salts, which draw moisture out of plants. To avoid this problem, it’s best to stick to the recommended amount of fertilizer and schedule.
Pests & Other Problems
Stromanthe Triostar is prone to common plant-suckers like aphids and spider mites, especially if the humidity is very low. To eliminate these pests, use a mild horticultural soap or neem oil spray. Another thing that you should keep in mind is it’s prone to fungus and molds, so it’s best if you can mist your plant every day.
That’s a wrap on how to care for your Stromanthe Triostar. It’s not as easy and simple as Pothos, but it’s worth it because this head-turner plant adds beauty to your home.
Grow your plant knowledge. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
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