Stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea 'Tristar')
Discover Stromanthe sanguinea 'Tristar', a striking prayer plant prized for its variegated leaves and low maintenance in warm climates.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ is a highly sought-after tropical perennial, celebrated for its stunning, variegated foliage. This specific cultivar of Stromanthe displays dramatic leaves, colored dark olive green, cream, white, and pink, making it an excellent focal point. As a member of the prayer plant family, Stromanthe elegantly folds its leaves upward at night, further highlighting the contrasting colors of the leaf undersides.
Outdoors, the Stromanthe thrives as an upright, rhizomatous plant reaching heights of up to five feet, though it remains significantly more modest when cultivated indoors. Its low maintenance requirement and vibrant display ensure its popularity in warm, shaded garden areas and as a spectacular houseplant in cooler regions. Growing Stromanthe means embracing the beauty of consistent, vibrant color and gentle movement throughout the day.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Marantaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: March to April
- Bloom Description: White flowers with cherry-red brachts
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For outdoor success in zones 10-12, plant your Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ in fertile, moist, yet reliably well-drained soil. Location is crucial; the ideal spot offers light or dappled shade, performing best with gentle morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon heat. Foliage will quickly burn if exposed to direct, intense sun, particularly during hot summer periods.
Watering should be consistent; soils for the Stromanthe must never be allowed to dry out completely, reflecting its native rainforest origins. When grown indoors north of Zone 10, aim for high ambient humidity—consider placing the container atop a bed of moist pebbles or implementing a daily foliage misting. Bring houseplants inside when temperatures begin to dip to 50°F in the fall.
The robust nature of this plant contributes to its low maintenance level, requiring minimal intervention beyond consistent watering and appropriate light management. This attention prevents both desiccation and root/stem rot, which are key issues to monitor. Ensure containers have excellent drainage to support the needs of the Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’.
Landscape Uses
The visual impact of the variegated Stromanthe makes it perfect for enhancing shaded patio settings where its color can truly pop against dark greens and browns. It excels in borders or nestled within tropical understories where the light is filtered and gentle, complementing ferns and other broadleaf shade lovers.
When grown as a houseplant, the Stromanthe offers a vertical element perfect for brightly lit corners or eastern-facing windows indoors. Its compact nature when potted allows it to serve as living décor on tabletops or stands, bringing the dramatic foliage of the rainforest environment indoors.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Stromanthe sanguinea, commonly called stromanthe, is an upright rhizomatous perennial that typically grows to 5’ tall and 3’ wide outdoors but to a more modest 2-3’ tall when grown indoors as a houseplant. It is native to rainforests in Brazil. Lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, dark olive green leaves (to 20” long and 6” wide) have red undersides. Leaves appear in a basal clump and along branching stems. This is a prayer plant family member whose leaves fold together at night in a manner reminiscent of praying hands. Leaf folding has the added attraction of showing off the red leaf undersides. Tiny white flowers with orange-red sepals and showy cherry-red bracts bloom in panicles in winter and spring. The cultivar ‘Tristar’ is particularly popular, featuring showy olive green leaves variegated with white, cream and pink.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The primary adversaries for healthy Stromanthe growth are common houseplant pests and moisture-related disorders. Mealybugs and spider mites may occasionally plague indoor specimens, especially when humidity levels drop too low. Regular inspection of the leaf undersides is necessary to catch infestations early.
Overwatering is perhaps the most significant risk, quickly leading to root or stem rot, especially if soil drainage is poor. To prevent this, ensure the soil is always kept moist but never saturated, balancing the plant’s need for consistent hydration with adequate aeration. Good horticultural practices when caring for Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ will mitigate most issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stromanthe suitable for?
The Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ is winter hardy primarily in USDA Zones 10 through 12 outdoors.
How large does Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ grow?
Outdoors, this herbaceous perennial typically reaches heights between 3 and 5 feet, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. Indoor specimens remain smaller, often reaching only 2 to 3 feet tall.
What sun exposure does Stromanthe need?
This plant requires part shade; it performs best with morning sun exposure and critical protection from direct, hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch.
When does Stromanthe bloom?
Stromanthe typically flowers from March through April, producing small white flowers accented by vibrant cherry-red bracts.
Conclusion
The ‘Tristar’ cultivar presents an unmatched tropical aesthetic through its stunning, multicolored, variegated leaves and fascinating nocturnal leaf movements. Its low maintenance requirements make the Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ an excellent choice for both dedicated indoor gardeners and landscape designers in warm climates. Before planting, confirm that your local climate aligns with USDA Zones 10–12, or prepare to grow this magnificent Stromanthe indoors.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for your Stromanthe, selection should focus on plants sharing similar requirements for high humidity and consistent moisture under part shade conditions. Consider pairing the bright variegation of the ‘Tristar’ with deep green foliage plants that thrive in dappled light. Excellent companions might include Calatheas, ferns like the Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), or other shade-loving Marantaceae members that appreciate similar soil fertility.
These companions should also share the medium water needs of the Stromanthe, ensuring that a single, consistent watering schedule can keep all plants happy. Avoid drought-tolerant xeriscaping favorites, as the need to keep Stromanthe soil from drying out will be detrimental to low-water companions.
Propagation Tips
The most reliable method for multiplying Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Tristar’ is through division of its underlying rhizomes. This is best performed when repotting or dividing the plant, ideally in the spring as new growth begins to emerge. Carefully lift the plant and gently tease apart sections of the rhizome clump, ensuring each new division has at least two or three healthy stems and an adequate network of roots attached.
Once divided, immediately plant the new sections at the same soil depth they occupied previously. Keep the newly potted divisions consistently moist and placed in a warm area with bright, indirect light until new root establishment is confirmed. Division ensures that the new plants are exact genetic replicas of the parent, maintaining the prized variegation of the Stromanthe cultivar.
