Stromanthe Triostar Plant Care

One thing you’ll agree with about the striking leaves of the Triostar is that it’s a big attraction. Imagine this plant standing in your home. For sure, people will be envious of this beauty.

The vibrant mix of pink, cream, and pale green on the top leaf mixed with deep maroon-pinkish colors underneath make this perennial sought-after indoor plant. The challenging part, though, is that the Stromanthe Triostar easily throws a tantrum if their specific care needs are not met. Meaning, triostar is considered to be a high-maintenance plant. 😉

So, if you are a beginner gardener, you may need some extra help with this prayer plant. Guess what, Plantly is standing right next to your side to help.

Where Does The Triostar Stromanthe Come From?

The Stromanthe Triostar goes by many names, from the Stromanthe sanguinea, Triostar Stromanthe, prayer plant, and Magenta Triostar to just the Triostar. The tropical perennial comes from the rainforest and Brazilian jungle.

One thing that’s very noticeable in this outdoor plant is the fully variegated foliage with tins of pink. You can grow the plant outside in humid and hot climates, and it does well indoors. 

Sometimes people confuse the plant with the Calathea since it folds its leaves at night resembling a prayer plant. Even though this plant is not part of the Calathea family, it belongs to the prayer plant family.

While the plant can develop flowers in spring outdoors, the main attraction is the colorful leaves. Your plant is a fast grower but can become a bit temperamental. It slows down when the roots are bound, does not receive enough light, or is always disturbed.

While it can develop flowers in spring when planted outdoors, the main attraction is the colorful leaves. Your plant is a fast grower but can become a bit temperamental. It slows down when the roots are bound, does not receive enough light, or is always disturbed.

However, if you live in zones 10 to 12 (USDA), you can easily grow your plant.

Stromanthe Triostar Care Basics

Stromanthe Triostar Plant

The short and sweet answer is that your Magenta Triostar needs bright indirect light with the soil moist and well-drained. Furthermore, temperature and humidity also play a big part in this plant’s survival.

Soil Requirement

To prevent your Triostar Stromanthe from throwing a fit, provide well-draining soil that helps retain some moisture. You can go for a perlite-based potting mix with soil pH levels between 6 to 8. The water needs to drain freely, and adding a peat base with an equal part of perlite added helps.

Water Requirement

Now, gardeners, this is where you need to be strict. Appropriate water volume is vital for Triostar Stromanthe to survive. If you get this wrong, your plant will be finicky and start looking unhealthy. Do not waterlog the soil but keep it moist.

During winter, you can let the indoor plant go a bit drier with only the top inch of soil dry before watering.

To add to its fussiness, tap water is not your best choice. Instead, use distilled water at room temperature.

A sign that your plant is having water concerns is when the leaves turn brown or yellow. This is a symptom of root rot. To check, remove the plant from the pot, rinse the roots, trim off the rotten portions, and transplant it to a new pot.

Allow the soil to dry out before watering.

Light Requirement for this Prayer Plant

Direct sunlight is a big NO!

plant lighting requirement

If you want to provide the best Triostar plant care, never place it under direct sun. Exposure to direct light causes the leaves to burn. The more indirect light the plant receives, the more variegation it shows.

We said this plant is finicky! Triostar prefers shaded locations which can get indirect sunlight.

You can place it at a spot on the east or a north-facing window. Also, remember to rotate your plant once a week to provide even growth. It can grow in medium levels of indirect light, but the brighter it becomes, the more it grows

Temperature and Humidity Requirement

plant temperature requirement

Stromanthe sanguinea triostar needs a temperature between 65° to 80°F (18 to 27°C). It can tolerate temperatures down to 40°F (4°C) but is not recommended. Your Triostars enjoy a humid environment, so avoiding dry conditions help.

So, a warm place with a humid environment helps the foliage look better. You can mist your plant every day to keep the levels of humidity at the desired range. A great place for the plant is in your bathroom or kitchen.

You can also invest in a humidifier or a pebble tray, making it a suitable option for home decor. You can also mist this drama queen to increase humidity at home.

Another plant care tip is to move your plant away from AC, drafts, or dry heat. Those could lead to physical damage such as the wilting and browning of the leaves.

When to Fertilize this Drama Queen Prayer Plant

As a rule of thumb, use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks in spring or summer. The Triostar Stromanthe sanguinea will love this feeding. We recommend diluting the fertilizer to half-strength and never feeding it during the winter months.

It causes root burn making your exotic plant sick.

Potting

Your plant is a slow grower and does not need regular repotting, unlike other plants. If it flowers, count yourself lucky. If not, the colorful foliage makes up for it. You can transplant them when you see the roots growing through the bottom of the vessel.

The best time to do this is in spring and summer. Repot your Stromanthe plants to a pot bigger than the previous container to accommodate the growing root system. Remember the drainage holes are sufficient to keep the potting soil moist but not too wet.

Pruning

Part of the Triostar care and maintenance is occasional pruning. The only time you need to prune your plants is when the leaves become discolored or damaged. Wait for the growing season to do this management practice.

Remove the leaves from the base using your garden shears. You may also trim minor blemishes on the foliage of your plant.

Plant Propagation

During spring, before the new growth starts, you can separate the rhizomes of your Triostar plants.

Here are the step-by-step procedures on how to do it:

-Start by removing your plant from its abode and shake off the excess soil gently.

-Separate the rhizomes using your fingers and leave up to three leaves.

-With your garden shears, cut through the connected roots.

-Take the divided plants and place them in separate containers using fresh soil.

-Place your Triostars in a warm area with a high humidity level under bright indirect light. Water the soil with filtered water. You will notice new leaves starting to shoot out once it has grown new roots.

Stromanthe Triostar Diseases & Pests

A common problem with the houseplant is excess moisture. Stromanthe easily falls victim to fungal diseases or root rot with prolonged exposure to wet conditions.

Some of the pests that can cause infestations are:

Aphids
Mealybugs
Spider Mites

You can use Neem oil to clean the leaves and stem. Remove these nasty critters once spotted.

Stromanthe Triostar Varieties and Similar Plants

When it comes to the Magenta Triostar, you can find some pretty ones to add to your home houseplant collection:

Tricolor Ginger

Also known as Stromanthe Sanguinea Tricolor, is another tropical plant with pink, white, red, or white variegated leaves. The plant prefers a filtered light with rich, moist organic soil and ample drainage. You can grow them inside or outside the home.

Stromanthe Sanguinea Magic Star

Is a plant that’s easier to care for compared to the Triostar Stromanthe. While the variegation is not as strong, it is still unique. The young leaves are light green and become darker as they mature. You do not notice many stripes, and the color is mostly lemon/lime, white, or cream.

Stromanthe Stromatoides

Usually grow outside and have rich green foliage with elegant long leaves but only in a green variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many reasons why leaves of stromanthe curl. It could be due to the presence of pests on the underside of the leaves. It can also be caused by dehydration. Leaves tend to curl to conserve moisture. Also, tap water may contain salts as minerals such as chlorine, and fluoride that can cause toxicity.

The air may be too dry as the humidity is very low. Such a condition could lead to leaf browning. Regular misting helps add to the moisture level in the air around your houseplants. Overfertilization is also another factor.

No, it is not. Stromanthe is a perfect addition to your houseplants because it’s safe for your children and pets.

While keeping a Stromanthe alive may not be a daunting task, maintaining its vibrant appearance can be a challenge. Without proper conditions, those beautiful variegated areas can turn yellow or brown, while leaf tips and edges may become crispy or curl up. Here, we’ll explore the most common issues faced by Stromanthe Triostar owners and provide solutions to keep these stunning plants looking their best.

To enhance the pink coloration on your Stromanthe Triostar, provide bright indirect light, maintain temperatures between 65-80°F, ensure high humidity, use well-draining soil, water consistently but avoid waterlogging, fertilize every 4-6 weeks in the growing season, prune yellow or brown leaves, and avoid stress from drafts or temperature fluctuations.

Yes, Stromanthe Triostar enjoys misting to increase humidity levels. Regular misting helps maintain its preferred humid environment, promoting healthier growth and preserving the vibrant colors on its leaves

Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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