The Stromanthe sanguinea is a beautiful perennial house plant with striking variegate foliage. It’s part of the prayer plant family and is often confused as a calathea.Most people know this plant as Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ – it’s common name.
How to grow Stromanthe sanguinea
Light
Bright indirect lighting – avoid direct sun exposure. Rotate your plant weekly for even distribution of light on all leaves – this will prevent reaching and odd growth shape.
Water
Water when you notice the top of the soil is slightly dry. Do not let the soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has a drainage hole, to avoid root rot. Whenever possible, use filtered water when watering your plant, tap water can contain too many hard minerals, and this plant can be a bit of a drama queen.
Fertiliser
Every few weeks, during the growing season, fertilise your plant with a balanced diluted fertiliser (ie. 20-20-20). If you want to use an organic fertiliser, you may not need to dilute your mix. Don’t over-fertilise your plants as this can cause root burn.
Potting
Choose a pot with a drainage hole, and of an adequate size. Soil should be light, organic and well draining – a mix of perlite, potting mix & peat moss is recommended. Repot when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes. If you notice there has been little grown of your plant in recent weeks, look to change the pot, potting soil or add a fertiliser.
Pests
Usually a hardy plant, but can be susceptible to mites, mealybugs & scale. Check out my previous blog post on pest control here, if your plant is having pest issues.
Propagation
Propagation of Stromanthe is done by the separation of the rhizomes (root clumps/bulbs), so no leaf cutting will work here – sorry! Ensure that each cutting/separation has at least three leaves attached, and that propagation is done during the growing months and not winter. Always use a sharp, clean cutter or knife when propagating.
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