The stunning tropical houseplant Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’ has captivating vibrant leaves. The Calathea ‘Triostar,’ Stromanthe ‘Tricolor,’ or Stromanthe ‘Tricolor Ginger’ is another name for this unusual indoor plant. It has gorgeous variegated leaves that are creamy-white and green with pink edging and purple undersides. Its large, broad, glossy leaves are a remarkable feature in any room of your home.
How to care for Stromanthe sanguinea: Medium filtered light, well-draining potting soil, and high humidity are ideal conditions for the Stromanthe Triostar plant. To keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, water when the top layer of soil is dry. Between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C), grow the stromanthe tricolor. During the growing season, fertilize twice a month.
The Saintromanthe sanguinea is a prayer plant (Maranta plants) that belongs to the Marantaceae family. Since they elevate their leaves at night, calatheas are sometimes referred to as prayer plants. Calathea leaves fold upwards at the base of the stem in the evening, mimicking a plant that is folding its leaves upwards to pray. Nyctinasty refers to this phenomenon.
Its natural habitat is South America’s tropical rainforests. In warm, humid conditions in the shade of the forest floor, the tri-colored leafy plant thrives. The vivid leaves of Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’ are the source of its botanical and common names.
The three colors on the extended oblong leaves of the plants are referred to as Tricolor and Triostar. The red underside of the leaves, as well as the red blooms it produces, are referred to by the Latin name sanguinea. Tricolor Ginger, Magenta Triostar, and Stromanthe thalia are some other names for the same plant.
Other varieties of the Stromanthe species include:
- Stromanthe amabilis (Calathea ‘Burle Marxii’)—With large leaves and dark green patterns, this plant resembles a typical prayer plant.
- Stromanthe ‘Magic star’—Look for silvery speckles on long, lance-shaped dark green leaves with a deep red underside.
In this lesson, we’ll learn how to take care of a Stromanthe Triostar at home. See what to do if your Triostar plant has brown leaves, yellowing leaves, or other indications of sickness at the conclusion of the article.
Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar Care Guide
It is feasible to grow a Stromanthe Triostar successfully at home with the correct care and attention. The proper sort of potting medium, as well as enough light, are required for this magenta tricolor. Its colorful foliage stays bright and beautiful all year long thanks to these care requirements.
Light Requirements for Healthy Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar
The Triostar plant grows best in indirect light, rather than direct sunlight, for the Stromanthe sanguinea variety. This type of Stromanthe is best placed in an east-facing window or on a north-facing windowsill. The Tricolor Ginger grows well in average lighting conditions, despite the fact that variegated plants prefer bright light.
Most variegated plants aren’t low-light plants, to be sure. Yet, the light reacts differently to the exquisite leaves of this Stromanthe species. To take in as much light as possible, the plant leaves turn toward or away from it. They’ll hide the red beneath if the light is too bright. This helps to keep the leaves from being exposed to excessive sunlight.
Growing Stromanthe Tricolor indoors may be difficult because to the way it reacts to light. They should survive as long as they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Move to a shadier location if you notice dry brown spots developing on the leaves. Your plant may need more light if the variegation starts to fade.
How to Water Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar
For Stromanthe Triostar or Tricolor Ginger, proper watering is the most important care requirement. Only when the top 1″ (2.5 cm) layer of soil is dry do water-Stromanthe plants grow. Soil that is just damp, but never waterlogged or arid, is preferred by tricolor plants.
Ensuring that the potting mix remains moist without becoming soggy is helped by allowing the top layer of soil to dry partially. Press down on the soil to make sure it’s dry before watering a Triostar every time. Remember, though, that dry spells are not tolerated by these picky indoor plants.
With these exotic plants, water quality is critical. To hydrate your Triostar, try using rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water at room temperature. Tap water may carry chemicals that grow harmful to plants in the soil. Drenching the soil is the best way to water your Stromanthe Triostar.
Proper hydration is guaranteed by this watering method for houseplants. Pour filtered water into the pot until it exits via the openings in the bottom to nourish the plant. Return to its original location if there is too much water.
Vital watering tips for Stromanthe Triostar:
- Make certain your pot has a bottom with drainage holes.
- Only potting soil that is light and well-drained should be used.
- When the top layer of soil is dry, give your plants a thorough watering.
- Don’t let your Triostar plant go completely dry.
- Remember that humidity is as crucial as watering in the growing season.
- In the winter, water is less available, and soil moisture levels are used as a guideline.
The Best Potting Soil for Indoor Stromanthe Triostar Plants
Plant your Stromanthe triostar in a well-draining potting soil to ensure that it gets the care it needs. Potting soil, peat moss, and perlite are an excellent combination for your stromanthe plant. Perlite improves drainage and makes the medium light by providing nutrients and holding moisture.
Water needs to drain rapidly and easily in the best potting soil. Excess soil moisture is harmful to Stromanthe Triostar plants, so you must avoid it from staying wet. You’ll need to replace the soil with perlite or orchid bark if you notice that water is beginning to drip slowly.
Don’t pick a pot or container that is too big for your plant when it comes to pot size. Oversized pots promote moisture issues because they retain too much moisture. This might cause your delicate tropical plant to die if it goes untreated.
Temperature Range for Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar
Inside, Triostar plants prefer room temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C), maintain an even temperature. Avoiding rapid temperature changes is the sole temperature care requirement. To avoid upsetting the plant, protect it from cold drafts and hot radiators.
In USDA zones 10 to 12, you can grow Stromanthe Triostar plants outdoors. You may bring your potted Triostar plants outside in the summer if you reside in colder regions. Place the pot in a location with plenty of sunlight and wind protection. When the temperature drops below 60°F (15°C), return indoors.
Humidity Requirements for Stromanthe Triostar
Stromanthe sanguinea Triostars prefer high humidity levels, which may be as high as 50%. To help your plant flourish and retain its beautiful leaves, aim for at least 50% humidity indoors. To help hydrate the leaves, mist them every other day with a pebble humidifying tray.
Leaves may sag due to low humidity, which attracts spider mites. In a humidified environment such as a bathroom or kitchen, you may keep your plant alive. Several tropical plants prefer filtered light, warmth, and humidity, which is why the high air moisture levels suit them.
Make sure that the room temperature is at least 65°F (18°C) if you need to increase indoor humidity to help your Triostar thrive. Fungal infections may develop in the soil due to high humidity and cold, which can cause root rot.
Stromanthe Triostar Fertilizing Needs
During the growing season, Stromanthe Tricolor plants need bi-monthly feeding and appreciate it. Dilute to one-quarter strength with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. After you water your plant, feed it every two weeks. Worm castings, for example, are an organic fertilizer.
Don’t overfeed your plant to ensure proper development and prevent leaves from turning yellow. Overfertilization may harm the plant’s development and cause it to die. Flush the earth with filtered water once or twice throughout the growing season to wash away excess salts.
Stromanthe Triostar Size and Growth Rate
Upright growth of the Stromanthe sanguinea cultivar ‘Triostar’ may reach up to 1 foot (30 cm). The lanceolate, oblong leaves have a spread of up to 1.5 feet (45 cm) and are covered in bushy growth. Plants of the Stromanthe Tricolor grow quickly in ideal circumstances.
The plant’s development rate begins to slow for a number of reasons. Poor lighting, insufficient feeding, or being root-bound could all contribute to Lethargic growth. Additionally, after repotting, these temperamental plants may seem to halt development.
How to Prune a Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar
Removing dead or damaged leaves from a Triostar is the only time it needs pruning. You should trim the diseased stems at the base because the plant has stems that grow straight out of the earth. Whenever you remove unwanted leaves, always use a sharp, sterile blade.
Never remove more than 30% of the Stromanthe Tricolor’s foliage to avoid impacting the plant’s growth. By pruning in this manner, you minimize the amount of stress put on the plant while ensuring that light reaches all sections.
Repotting Stromanthe Triostar Plants
Only when it is critical should you repot a Triostar plant. Many plants may take a long time to recover after being repotted. Your exotic houseplant will only need to be repot every few years or so. This isn’t a issue since they prefer being rootbound. If you don’t want your Triostar to expand, use the same size of pot when repotting it or go for a larger one, one size bigger.
This is what you should do to repot a Stromanthe sanguinea Triostar:
- Remove the root ball from its present pot with care.
- Remove the roots’ previous soil.
- Trim the roots as needed, checking for dead, brown mushy roots.
- Fill the new pot with the appropriate, well-draining potting mix until it is half-full.
- Fill the remainder of the area with additional soil and plant it.
- Avoid compacting the soil by gently pressing down but not too much.
- Put the plant in bright indirect light and thoroughly water it.
- The Triostar should have recovered from its scare after roughly four weeks, and you may begin caring for it as usual.
Stromanthe Sanguinea Propagation
Root-rhizome division is the most effective way to propagate a Stromanthe sanguinea or Magenta Triostar. In the spring, when the Triostar plants are growing beautifully, you’ll want to propagate them. Separate the clumps, making sure that each has at least one stem with a healthy leaf in order to complete the task.
When repotting Stromanthe or Calathea Tricolor plants, you may also propagate them at the same time. Every few years, instead of stressing the plant, you should plan to propagate it. Use a light, fertile potting mix with excellent drainage to place the new cutting in the appropriate size of pot.
Propagation with Stromanthe cuttings is recommended by certain plant owners. Nonetheless, stem cuttings are difficult to grow and may even be impossible.
Stromanthe Triostar Flowers
Stromanthe Triostar plants produce crimson-orange flowers in early spring, and they are rarely seen indoors. Orangey bracts surround the flowers when they first bloom. When the plant blooms, small clusters of cherry pink blooms emerge from the bracts.
In its natural habitat, Stromanthe Triostars bloom frequently. When growing indoors, Stromanthe houseplants rarely bloom. The spectacular cream-white, green, and pink foliage is more appealing than the inconspicuous flowers, which most plant owners don’t care about.
Diseases and Pests Affecting Stromanthe Triostar Growth
Despite their reputation as fussy houseplants, triostar plants are fairly hardy. Fungal diseases and aphid problems are the two things to watch out for. Mold and root rot are more likely in humid conditions. Triostars are not immune to aphids, which can affect any indoor plants. White soil mold or fungal disease are usually avoided by watering correctly. Wait until the soil is mostly dried out before watering if any of these problems occur. You may have to repot the plant in fresh potting soil if things go wrong.
You’ll need to take quick action against sap-sucking aphids if you notice signs of them. They might infest more of your houseplants, which is definitely not something any plant owner wants. A natural neem oil solution for houseplant pests may be used to quickly and effectively get rid of aphids.
FAQs About Stromanthe Triostar Care
Indoor Stromanthe Triostar plant cultivation is not for the faint of heart. Your Stromanthe tricolor may experience brown leaves or wilting growth even under seemingly ideal conditions. Keep your Stromanthe plant healthy and thriving by reading on.
Are Stromanthe plants toxic to cats and dogs?
Stromanthe Triostar, for example, is a plant belonging to the Marantaceae family that does not contain harmful chemicals. As a result, if you have pets like cats, dogs, or other animals, tricolor stromanthe plants are safe.
Why are the leaves on my Stromanthe Triostar turning brown?
The lack of humidity is often indicated by brown leaf edges on your Triostar plant. Leaf tips and margins brown and crispy in dry household air. You might see brown spots on leaves if the atmosphere is predominantly arid. To help your Stromanthe tricolor thrive, mist the leaves daily.
Why is my Stromanthe Sanguinea leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering or insufficient sunlight are the two primary causes of Stromanthe Triostar leaves becoming yellow. One of the following is a solution to these developing problems. When the top layer is dry, water your Stromanthe less often. Instead, move your plant pot to a brighter area where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
My Stromanthe Triostar leaves are wilting, what should I do?
Stromanthe Tricolor leaves that appear withered and, perhaps, with burnt brown patches are typically the result of a lack of moisture. The soil should be thoroughly wet and the leaves should be misted to help your plant recover. Make certain that your Triostar is not near to heaters or air conditioning.
My Stromanthe Triostar leaves are curling, what’s wrong?
The plant is unhappy if the curling Stromanthe leaves are present. Low humidity, extreme temperature fluctuations, water quality, or overwatering are all possible causes of curled leaves. Try to improve the growing environment by resolving the underlying cause in order to help restore the beautiful white, green, and pink foliage.
Why is my Stromanthe Triostar dying?
The impression that your Stromanthe tricolor is dying is caused by drooping leaves that have curled up. What is killing your plant? Repotting a Stromanthe in a sterile potting soil may help it recover from its death. Also, look for and treat any plant pests that you may find.
Are Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar houseplants that are difficult to care for? Stromanthe Triostars aren’t the most difficult indoor plants to maintain, but they aren’t the simplest. You should be able to enjoy the plants’ beautiful foliage for many years if you keep them in medium indirect light, water them frequently enough, and maintain high humidity.