The Stromanthe sanguinea, commonly called Stromanthe Triostar, is an impressive plant part of the Marantaceae family and native to Brazil. Very sought for and rare here, it evolves well when placed in a medium-light setting.

Its foliage is sharply variegated, cream-colored and green on one side and bright pink, even purple on the other. It produces a trunk from which grow long, slender leaves. Since this plant grows in humid environments, it will therefore appreciate being misted daily when growing indoors.

MAINTENANCE

The Stromanthe sanguinea, like its cousin the Calathea, prefers slightly moist soil, so it shouldn’t dry up too much between waterings. A sign of this is when leaves turn brown of yellow. But no worries, the Stromanthe sanguinea is a hardy plant; it will bounce right back if you forget to give it a drink. However, its soil shouldn’t be soggy for it could result in root rot. Tip: one way of increasing humidity for this colored beauty is to sit it in a dish covered with pebbles and water.

When you take possession of your plant, make sure you assess its watering needs. Before you give it a drink the first time, check the soil’s moisture level to verify whether or not it is moist near the surface. It is best to aerate the soil before the initial watering since it is often compacted to avoid shifting during transit. This also allows it to breathe and release moisture.

Rotate your plant periodically in order to encourage an even growth. Cleaning the leaves regularly will stimulate proper photosynthesis. As you wipe the foliage, inspect the leaves on either side to make sure there are no pests.

* planter not included