Stromanthe Triostar Care: How To Keep This Colorful Showstopper Thriving

With its dazzling pink, white, and green variegation, the Stromanthe Triostar (also known as Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’) is one of the most striking tropical houseplants you can grow. A member of the prayer plant family (Marantaceae), it adds instant color, texture, and movement to any indoor space — but it also comes with a reputation for being a little “dramatic.”

The good news? With the right care setup, Stromanthe Triostar isn’t difficult — it’s just particular. This guide covers everything you need to know to help your Triostar thrive: from humidity hacks and lighting tips to feeding, repotting, and keeping those gorgeous leaves crisp and colorful.

What Kind of Plant Is Stromanthe Triostar?

Stromanthe Triostar is a rhizomatous tropical evergreen native to the rainforests of Brazil.

It’s closely related to Calathea and Maranta, and shares many of their preferences — including high humidity, filtered light, and well-aerated soil.

Its bold foliage unfurls like a painter’s brushstroke: shades of deep green with cream and pink margins, and rich burgundy undersides.

Like prayer plants, its leaves move gently in response to light, folding slightly at night.

This plant is most often grown for its foliage — but under the right conditions, it may produce small white or pinkish blooms in spring.

How Much Light Does Stromanthe Triostar Need?

Bright, indirect light is essential for maintaining the vibrant variegation that makes this plant so unique.

Here’s what works best:

• Indoors: Place near an east- or north-facing window, or a few feet back from a bright south/west exposure with sheer curtain filtering.

• Too little light: Leads to dull, faded colors and slower growth.

• Too much direct sun: Causes scorching, crispy leaf edges, especially on the pale variegated sections.

🛒 If your room has low light, consider a small LED grow light to keep your Triostar thriving year-round without losing color.

How Often Should You Water?

Stromanthe Triostar likes consistent moisture — but not soggy soil.

Follow this schedule:

• Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry

• Spring/Summer: Water every 5–7 days

• Fall/Winter: Reduce to every 10–14 days, depending on indoor humidity

Always water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, but never let the pot sit in standing water.

Using filtered or distilled water is best, since tap water with chlorine or fluoride may cause brown leaf tips.

What’s the Best Soil?

Triostar needs a light, moisture-retentive soil that drains well and doesn’t compact over time.

Ideal mix:

• 50% high-quality indoor potting mix

• 25% coco coir or peat moss

• 25% perlite or pumice

This blend retains enough moisture for the roots without creating soggy conditions.

🛒 Many aroid or tropical soil mixes online offer this combination pre-blended — perfect if you’d rather skip mixing your own.

Temperature and Humidity Needs

This plant is a true tropical — it demands warmth and humidity to look its best.

• Ideal temperature: 65–80°F (18–27°C)

• Never let it drop below: 60°F (15°C)

• Humidity: Minimum 50%, ideally 60–70%

In dry climates or during winter, boost humidity with:

• A pebble tray beneath the pot

• Grouping with other tropicals

• A small cool-mist humidifier

Brown tips are often a sign of low humidity, not underwatering. Misting occasionally can help, but long-term humidity solutions work better.

Does Stromanthe Triostar Flower?

While grown primarily for its foliage, mature Stromanthe plants may bloom under ideal conditions — usually in spring.

• Flowers are small and white or pinkish

• Blooms are low to the base and not very showy

• Most owners prune them off to conserve plant energy for foliage

You don’t need to do anything special to encourage blooms — if they happen, consider it a bonus!

How and When To Fertilize

Feed your Stromanthe Triostar regularly during the growing season to support healthy foliage growth.

Here’s the ideal schedule:

• Use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer like this one or 20-20-20 like this one at ¼ strength

• Apply once per month from March to September

• Skip feeding in winter

Avoid overfeeding — too much fertilizer can burn the roots or cause buildup on the soil surface.

🛒 Liquid houseplant fertilizers made for tropical foliage plants (like Monstera or Calathea) work beautifully here.

Pruning and Shaping

You don’t need to prune often, but occasional trimming keeps the plant looking full and healthy.

• Remove any damaged or crispy leaves with clean scissors

• Trim browning tips to shape, if needed

• Prune in early spring to encourage new basal growth

The plant naturally grows outward and full — no major shaping is required.

Repotting Tips

Triostar likes a bit of root space, but avoid overpotting.

Repot every 2–3 years or when roots begin to circle the base.

Tips:

• Repot in spring before active growth begins

• Use a pot only 1–2 inches larger than the current one

• Refresh the soil completely to avoid salt buildup

• Wait 5–7 days after repotting before watering

This is also the best time to divide the plant if you’d like to propagate it.

Is Stromanthe Triostar Pet Safe?

✅ Yes — Stromanthe Triostar is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a great choice for pet-friendly households. However, keep it out of reach to avoid pawing, chewing, or soil disruption.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with good care, Stromanthe Triostar may occasionally act fussy.

Watch for:

• Brown, crispy edges: Often due to low humidity or unfiltered tap water

• Curling leaves: Underwatering or extreme temperature swings

• Leaf fade or yellowing: Too much light or poor drainage

• Stunted growth: Cold temps or lack of nutrients

In most cases, adjusting humidity and watering habits leads to a full recovery.

Final Word

The Stromanthe Triostar may be a bit picky, but its beauty makes the effort worthwhile.

With bold, tri-color foliage and rhythmic leaf movements, it adds a burst of energy and elegance to any indoor space.

Master a few key conditions — bright indirect light, high humidity, and clean water — and this stunning tropical will reward you for years.

🧭 Want to expand your collection? The Stromanthe Triostar Propagation Guide walks you through how to divide your plant and create new growth from the root up.