The Stromanthe Triostar is easily one of my top 10 favorite plants thanks to that incredible, ever-changing foliage.
Those dark pink and blazing hot pink undersides make the leaves pop, while the tops display the most beautiful blend of light pink, white, and yellow tones.
And the way those vibrant leaves fold up and unfurl is just mesmerizing to watch!
Growing Gorgeous Tricolor Plants
Lighting Requirements
When it comes to light, these plants need that “Goldilocks” sweet spot – not too bright, not too dim. Direct sun will scorch their sensitive leaves, so no east or west windows without pulling the plant back a few feet and using a sheer curtain to filter any harsh rays. My Triostar thrives about 2 feet from a west-facing window covered by a light curtain.
During summer, I keep mine on our covered deck where it gets loads of bright, dappled light but no direct sun beating down on those pretty leaves. Just be sure to bring it back inside before temperatures drop too much in fall.
Temperature and Humidity
Like many tropicals, Stromanthe love heat and humidity. They’ll reward you with lush growth in warm 65-70°F temps and humidity in the 40-60% range. Keeping them too cool or dry often results in crispy brown leaf tips, which although harmless can look unsightly.
If low humidity is an issue, run a humidifier nearby or place the plant on a pebble tray to raise moisture levels around it. And since it appreciates humid conditions, I give my plant a nice shower while I water to recreate its native rainforest environment.
Watering
Speaking of watering, that’s one of the trickier aspects of Stromanthe care. These plants need consistently moist soil but can rot in anything soggy, so it’s a fine balance. As a rule, I let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before giving my plant a thorough soaking.
Using a plastic or glazed ceramic pot helps moderate moisture levels between waterings. You can also mix in some water-retentive sphagnum moss to keep the soil evenly damp. And always use filtered or distilled water to prevent buildup of mineral salts that cause unsightly brown edges on the leaves.
Pest Prevention
The biggest pest issue to watch for is spider mites, which can multiply rapidly if the plant is allowed to dry out. Regular misting with a spray bottle and keeping that soil consistently moist goes a long way in preventing infestations.
Showering the plant while I water also raises the humidity levels around the foliage and helps knock any pests off the leaves. An occasional insecticidal soap spray provides extra protection against these persistent critters.
Fertilizing
Like most plants, Stromanthe appreciate a regular diet of organic fertilizers. I’ve had excellent results using fish emulsion or worm castings mixed with water according to label instructions. In summer when the plant is actively growing, I fertilize at full strength with each watering.
Come winter when growth slows, I cut the fertilizer back to about 1/4 strength to provide just enough nutrients without overfeeding the semi-dormant plant. That little snack keeps it perky until warm weather returns!
Propagation
One of my favorite things about the Stromanthe is how easy they are to propagate. The best method is simply separating the multiple crowns or growing points into individual new plants. Each one will quickly establish itself potted up on its own.
You can also try taking stem tip cuttings, rooting them in water or perlite until new growth appears. Just be sure to cut just below one of those distinctive joints or nodes along the stem for best results.
Potential Issues
If you spot yellowing leaves, the most likely culprit is spider mites, who cause that discoloration as they suck the plant juices. At the first sign, up your pest control regimen to knock them back.
Heavily curled or “taco-ed” leaves usually indicate the plant is getting too dry – either due to underwatering, low humidity, or both. Give it a solid drink and increase misting to see if that fixes the issue. Too much direct sun exposure can also cause curling.
While a few brown tips or edges are inevitable, excessive browning points to low humidity, dry soil between waterings, or potential buildup of salts and minerals from unfiltered water.