Stromanthe Triostar Plants are sensational head-turners with colorful leaves that feature red, white, and green shades. The plant will satisfy beginners and pro houseplant owners with its beautiful foliage and ability to thrive throughout the year. Beyond responding to care and the unique tropical vibe, it is interesting to see this houseplant reacting to light at different hours during the day.
To grow a Stromanthe Triostar keep in mind the following:
- Water it once a week to keep the soil moist. Avoid too much water which could make the soil soggy. Mist the leaves regularly to boost humidity.
- Provide indirect bright light.
- Stromanthe Triostar Plants prefer temperatures between 65ºF and 80ºF (18.3ºC-26.6ºC).
- They require well-drained, aerated, and fertile soil to thrive.
Stromanthe Triostar Plants are a massive challenge to beginners; they are likely to cause panic. The sensual nature of the plants is also likely to confuse expert plant growers because the plant reacts fast to slight changes in the environment.
Let us look at the specific conditions you should provide to your Stromanthe Triostar plants so that they can thrive at home or in the office environment. Let’s begin.
Basic care guidelines for Stromanthe Triostar Plants
Watering
Water the plant once a week to keep the soil moist but not soggy. You may increase the frequency of watering if the weather is hot and windy because a lot of evaporation takes place. Because of root rot and other damages caused by soggy soil, allow the top layer of your soil to dry before watering again.
Reduce the amount of water and frequency of watering during winter. Allow the soil to remain dry for more days because the inside will still be moist before watering again. However, you must consider the heat and humidity conditions indoors because they could leave the soil completely dry, causing your Triostar plant to wither.
The soil moisture should imitate the native jungle of Brazil, where it contains a lot of humus that facilitates sufficient drainage. Use a large pot that holds enough soil to supply the necessary nutrients for the plant to thrive despite the increased drainage. Without enough water, this member of the prayer plant family will fold the leaves permanently and eventually wilt.
Humidity
As a native of the thick Brazilian forest and with its beautiful foliage, humidity is a crucial element for Stromanthe Triostar Plants. Adequate humidity is not only necessary for the health of the leaves but will also boost their appearance. The showy foliage will be dusty and rusty if you do not provide sufficient humidity.
Triostars require high humidity levels that might force you to mist the plant every other day. When the air is too dry, the leaves will fold or appear like scrap metal. The leaves will make a lot of sharp pitched noise when they fold if the air is too dry.
Mist the leaves regularly to cover for moisture needs throughout the week. A humidifier saves you time because it is automated and will guarantee constant humidity without your direct intervention. The provision of necessary humidity will not be a trial-and-error issue but will be done with greater certainty.
Stromanthe Triostar Plants also love grouping. It helps them to trap sufficient humidity around the foliage that will save you the trouble of misting. Grouping helps to imitate the canopies of the tropical Brazilian forests that are heavily humid throughout the year.
A tray with water and pebbles is also a humidifying alternative when dealing with Stromanthe Triostar Plants. This trick will be useful especially when dealing with individual plants where grouping is not possible, or you wish to cut down on the cost of installing a humidifier. Through natural evaporation, the air will be sufficiently moist, guaranteeing healthy and elegant leaves.
Soil
The best potting mix for Triostar plants is light and well-drained. However, this soil should hold substantial moisture and nutrients to support the robust growth of the foliage. Proper drainage ensures that the soil does not get soggy and ends up causing root rot.
One of the ways to get the best soil mix for your Triostar plant is to add peaty house plant soil with perlite to make the soil fluffy. It will allow sufficient drainage while still holding moisture and nutrients for the roots.
Despite the roots not being robust, they do require a lot of food to support the thick foliage. You can, therefore, enrich the soil using humus and other organic materials.
Drainage, watering, and fertilization will affect the quality of the soil after several months of potting. If the soil does not drain sufficiently, chemicals in water and the fertilizer used will be retained in the soil. To protect the soil and make it healthy for your plant, ensure that it drains adequately and also use filtered water and liquid fertilizer on your plant.
Light
How much Lighting Does the Stromanthe Triostar Plant require?
Growing inside the canopies of tropical forests, Triostar plants require medium and indirect light. Still, it is worth noting that the plant is one of the most sensitive houseplant varieties when talking about light. The color of the leaves and whether they are open or folded will depend on the amount of light you provide.
The plant’s leaves can burn when exposed to direct sunshine easily. Unfortunately, it is impossible to reverse the damage done by exposure to direct light: therefore, you’ll end up losing the plant. Too much light will also cause your plant to lose the magnificent appeal on the leaves, leaving you with shapeless and dry-looking leaves.
Place your plant near the east-facing window but approximately 4 feet away from the window. If you have a north-facing window, it could be another superb position for your plant. Little or no light will be as disastrous as too much light. In other words, calling for a perfect balance regarding light exposure is vital.
The Stromanthe Triostar Plants behave abnormally based on the amount of light available and are likely to confuse the plant owner. Variegated varieties, which are usually most of them, will lose their color. The plant has also developed an innovative way to absorb as much light as possible by turning as the day goes by and folding the leaves to maximize light absorption.
The adaptable nature of the Stromanthe Triostar Plant makes it an unpredictable house plant while confusing for many houseplant owners, even the most experienced. It also enables the plant to maintain variegation even in dim light. The best trick to master lighting is to observe the health of your plant and constantly adjust along with the plant needs.
Temperature
Stromanthe Triostar plants thrive in medium temperatures between 65ºF and 80ºF (18.3ºC- 26.6ºC). The temperatures may fall during the night but should not go below 60ºF (15.5ºC). Remember that temperature will affect humidity as well as soil moisture.
Air conditioning systems can interfere with temperature and humidity around Triostar plants. Such drastic changes might interfere with their normal growth. Therefore, keep away the plant from air conditioning ducts, primarily because of the drafts generated by these systems.
Monitor indoor temperatures and conditions, especially during winter. The season requires reduced watering and misting. However, maintaining the high indoor temperatures through the use of air conditioning means that the plant will require more water and humidity than if it is growing outdoors.
This is a delicate plant that you are likely to lose because of temperature mistakes.
Advanced Care for Stromanthe Triostar Plant
An ordinary Stromanthe Triostar plant will survive and adapt to most of the conditions you provide. It only dies under extreme neglect. However, if you provide the perfect environment, your plant will thrive into an indoor spectacle.
Here is a guide on advanced care procedures that will guarantee the best Stromanthe Triostar plant. Let’s go.
Fertilization
Stromanthe Triostar plants are heavy feeders. They require fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. They also require reduced quantities during winter. Use liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength to avoid overfeeding the plant. Remember to cut fertilization by half during the winter season.
Humus and compost are the other alternatives because of the organic matter it provides to the soil. The manure helps to improve aeration, drainage, and nutrient variety in the soil. It will also protect your soil from damage by chemicals and in the process, reduce the need for repotting.
Pruning
Stromanthe Triostar plants are robust growers that will require continuous pruning. This caring task is also necessary to get rid of old and dying leaves to maintain the beauty of your plant. Pruning should also be done to eliminate sick or pest-infested leaves.
Pruning can be done at any time of the year, especially when you wish to promote the beauty of your plant. However, the best time to prune is during spring and summer when the plant is at its most robust stage of growth with zero chances of drying.
Cut the leaves at the base using a sharp knife to ease healing and hasten recovery. While at it, do not remove more than 30% of the leaves at a time. This consideration will protect the plant from drying.
Repotting
Repotting is necessary when the roots have outgrown the current pot, or when you need to enhance the quality of the soil. The weight of the leaves and entire plant alongside its height and growth habits means that you do not require a large container even when the foliage has bloomed to its full potential.
Use the repotting moment to eliminate soggy or chemical-laden soil. The best time to repot is during spring or early summer when the foliage is thriving. Provide sufficient moisture and fertile soil to hasten recovery after repotting. Also, remove the old leaves because they might dry and affect the beauty of your plant.
Propagation
Stromanthe Triostar plants are best propagated through division. The best time is during spring and early summer. It is useful and will reduce shock when done during repotting to avoid double shock within a short duration.
Divide the roots and pick on the youngest shoots or remove the old leaves. Place the smaller shoots or buds in a new container with humus-enriched soil. It will take two to three weeks for the plant to recover and begin producing new buds. Warm air, moist soil, and fertile nutrient composition will speed up recovery as well as growth after propagation.
Pest Prevention
The high humidity requirements by Stromanthe Triostar plants encourage fungal diseases. Moreover, the bushy growth habit encourages some of the pests to hide. The best solution is to wipe the leaves every time you mist them to protect them from too much water.
Pruning also promotes air circulation, which helps to keep the leaves dry. Misting and wiping will also remove the mites and bugs that may perch on the leaves. Ensure that your soil drains sufficiently to prevent root rot.
Companion Plants
Ferns work really well for Stromanthe Triostar Plant; for instance, the Staghorn Fern is tolerant of a range of lighting conditions, water exposure and humidity. Staghorns also have aerial roots hanging from their blades that help in humidifying dry air around them to create a healthy environment for Stromanthe Triostar Plants to flourish.
Gardenias or Aucubas also make great companions to Stromanthe Plants because they require similar humidity levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stromanthe Triostar Plant
Why is my Stromanthe Triostar plant dropping?
There are several reasons to explain why your Stromanthe Triostar might be drooping. You could have soaked the plant in water or denied it sufficient water if the soil is too dry, water the plant and monitor its recovery within a few days. Where the soil is too wet, make provision for drainage or repotting if the season is right. Do not give up on the plant so fast because it usually shows a lot of resilience.
Why is my Stromanthe Triostar turning brown or yellow?
The most common problem is soil moisture and overwatering in specific. The yellowing or brown coloration is the early sign of root rot. Drain the water or repot the plant to address the soil moisture issues.
Is Stromanthe Triostar poisonous to cats and dogs?
The plant is safe for your cats and dogs or any other pets in the house. To sweeten the deal, the plant is an excellent natural air purifier that will leave your indoors healthier. All you need is to provide enough soil moisture, humidity, and light.
Is Stromanthe a Calathea?
The two plants belong to the same family but a different genus. It explains why they share so many characteristics and growth requirements. So, how can you distinguish a Stromanthe from a Calathea?
The Stromanthe has a slimmer oval-shaped leaf than the Calathea, whose leaves are can also be wider. The leaf patterns on the Triostar create an appealing contrast between pink-red tones that make for great accents amidst other shades.
Does Stromanthe Triostar produce flowers?
During winter or early spring, this plant produces beautiful white or pink blooms within orange, tube-shaped bracts.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance species that also brings beauty to your indoor or outdoor space, this is the one. The Stromanthe Triostar will add some natural green and life to any room with just enough sunlight. Plus, it doesn’t require much care! Share our blog post with friends who are interested in gardening so they can enjoy all of these benefits too.
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