Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe sanguinea) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Propagation, Problems

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Stromanthe triostar also called Stromanthe sanguinea or Tricolor Prayer Plant is one of the popular tropical foliage plants grown for its large, beautifully, patterned leaves that will add a splash of color in any plant collection.

Botanical name: Stromanthe sanguinea
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Stromanthe triostar, Triostar Stromanthe, Tricolor Prayer Plant

Origin

Stromanthe sanguinea is native to the tropical regions of the Americas from Mexico to Trinidad to northern Argentina.

Size

Stromanthe triostar is a slow-growing, herbaceous, perennial plant which grows to a height of about 6 feet and a about 6 feet in diameter.

Is Stromanthe triostar toxic?

No. Stromanthe sanguinea is non-toxic to both humans and pets. Stromanthe triostar are safe for cats, dogs and other pets.

Related Plants

Stromanthe triostar is related to the Calatheas, Marantas and Ctenanthe. These groups of plants are sometimes commonly called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Stromanthe triostar to your plant collection? You may get them online from from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to Care for Stromanthe sanguinea Indoors

To care for Stromanthe triostar (Stromanthe sanguinea) indoors, give it bright indirect light, warmth of 16-26⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Tricolor Prayer Plant requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as rejuvenate growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Stromanthe triostar thoroughly in spring and summer until the water drips from the bottom. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, drooping and yellowing.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly because growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for too long to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning of leaf tips.

Being a tropical plant, water Stromanthe sanguinea with room temperature water, to avoid cold shock which can result in reduced growth. In addition, use water that is free of chlorine and flourides to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and plant loss. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.

Light requirements

Stromanthe triostar grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light); position it near a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight which can lead to sunburn on the leaves and washed out leaves.

Too little light for Triostar Stromanthe will result in loss of the beautiful variegation. Therefore, if the natural light is inadequate, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.

Monthly, give the pot a quarter turn, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Stromanthe triostar prefers a warmth of 16-26⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can result in reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and death of the plant.

Tricolor Prayer Plant thrives in a humidity of 60-80%. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain proper air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.

You may also grow the plant in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside. A well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area, are also good choices for growing this plant, since they are consistently humid.

Fertilizer

Feed Stromanthe triostar with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once monthly through out the growing season for lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.

Occasionally, flush out accumulated salts (which may have arisen from the water or fertilizers) from the soil by running for a few minutes a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Stromanthe triostar should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to avoid sogginess. A blend of 2 parts potting soil (for nutrients), 1 part perlite (for drainage) and 1 part peat moss or coconut coir (for moisture) is good for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Stromanthe triostar at the beginning of the growing season, only when root-bound. Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one.

Tricolor Prayer Plant does not like to sit in soggy soil, therefore, ensure the soil is free-draining, and the pot has a drainage hole, to prevent root-rot.

The large Stromanthe plants can be divided at the time of repotting and the splits used to propagate new plants. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Stromanthe triostar involves removal of dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and attractive.

Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth and encourage a compact growth.

Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to expose maximum surface area for light absoprtion. It also helps to discourage pests and diseases infestation.

Stromanthe sanguinea Propagation

Stromanthe triostar propagation is done by plant division, at the beginning of the growing season, for faster establishment.

Propagating Stromanthe triostar by plant division

1. Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Remove the plant from its pot and divide it into several sections. Confirm each section has some roots to hasten rooting.


3. Pot the sections into individual pots in moist, free-draining soil. Ensure the pots have a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


4. Cover the pots with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect to hasten establishment of the plants.


5. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place until when new growth emerges on the sections.


6. Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established.


7. Once you observe substancial growth, gradually remove the polythene cover, over a period of two weeks, to acclimate the new plants to ordinary growing conditions.


8. Move the pots to bright indirect light and begin routine care.

Stromanthe sanguinea Problems & Remedies

Stromanthe triostar problems are brown leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Brown leaves

Some of the causes of brown leaves on Stromanthe triostar are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, direct sunlight, and aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and never allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and a well-draining soil.

Temperatute stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, radiators and others.

Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to filter the sunrays.

Aging: This is a natural process; as the plant matures the lower leaves turn brown and fall off.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Stromanthe triostar are caused by too dry air. To elevate humidity, group the plant together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Pests

Common pests of Stromanthe triostar are mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with neem oil as directed on the label.


2. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and take timely control measures.


3. Keep the plant properly pruned and raise humidity to discourage the pests.

Diseases

Stromanthe triostar is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions that it prefers. The disease presents as brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo.

How to fix it

1. Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air flow.

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