Stromanthe is one of the hidden gems of the world of houseplants. While everyone knows the Potus and Filodendro, this tropical beauty deserves a special place in our homes, especially if you have spaces with little natural light. Originally from the rainforests of Central America and the South, Stromanthe has conquered the heart of plants enthusiasts thanks to its spectacular leaves and its ability to adapt to different conditions.
A plant that “prays” and moves
Stromanthe belongs to the MaranTaceae family, known as “prayer plants” for a fascinating feature: their leaves move during the day. In the morning, the leaves open to capture the light, while at sunset they close slowly, as in prayer. If you are silent near your Stromanthe, you can even hear a slight rustle while the leaves change position – a small show of nature that takes place in your living room.
What makes Stromanthe so special is its foliage: large oval leaves with incredible combinations of colors ranging from intense green to pink, from the Bordeaux cream. The lower side of the leaves is often of a lively red, thus creates a breathtaking contrast when the plant moves its leaves.
Species of stromanthe
There are relatively few species of stromanthe, with about 10-15 recognized species belonging to this genre. The most common cultivated as houseplants are:
These are the names of the most common species, but it should be noted that in the trade of internal plants, they are often identified for the name of the cultivar rather than for the exact species. The “Triostar” (a variety of Sanguinea Stromanthe) is by far the most common in homes and nurseries.
How to take care of your Stromanthe
Light
Stromanthe thrives in conditions of brilliant indirect light. Unlike other plants that can tolerate direct hours of sun, this tropical beauty prefers filtered or light shadow light.
Place it near a window oriented to the east or north, where it will receive the kind morning light without the risk of alcohol with the afternoon sun. If you notice that the leaves lose their bright colors, it could be a sign that the plant receives too much light.
Watering
Stromanthe loves ground that maintains constant humidity, but hates having “wet feet”. Instead of following a fixed watering program, check the ground regularly.
Insert a finger into the ground until the first phalanx. If you feel that it is becoming dry, it’s time to water. Use water at room temperature and make sure that the vase has drainage holes. An excellent trick is to use an internal terracotta jar with a decorative cache-pot: after watering, it always empties excess water from the cache-point.
Humidity
Being a tropical plant, Stromanthe loves humidity. The brown or crunchy edges on the leaves are often a sign of too dry air. Place the plant on a tray with pebbles and water (ensuring that the bottom of the vase does not touch the water), brings together several tropical plants to create a humid microclimate, it occasionally spies the leaves, preferably in the morning and in winter, keep it away from radiators or uses a humidifier
Temperature
Stromanthe is sensitive to cold and air currents. Keep the temperature between 18 ° C and 27 ° C throughout the year.
Avoid positioning it near doors or windows with drafts during the winter or directly under air air conditioners in summer.
What ground prefers Stromanthe
To make your Stromanthe prosper, prepare rich and well draining soil. An ideal mix includes:
How to fertilize the stromanthe
During the growth season (spring-summer), nourish stromanthe every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer diluted to the middle of the recommended concentration. Suspend the fertilization in autumn and winter, when the plant enters a rest phase.
Never apply the fertilizer on dry soil, it could burn the roots. I water first, then I fertilize.
Common problems and stromantheù solutions
There are two weaknesses of Stromanthe: it does not tolerate limestone and should be watered with distilled or rainwater, and cannot stand the thermal changes, therefore be careful not to create air currents. It grows slowly up to 70 cm in height and is very adaptable to life at home. But let’s see together the possible problems in which the plant could incur.
Leaves that yellow
Probable cause: excess of water or too compact ground
Solution: Check the roots, remove any rotten parts and repotted in fresh and well draining soil
Brown edges on the leaves
Probable cause: too dry air or tap water with too much chlorine
Solution: Increase environmental humidity and use filtered water or left to rest for 24 hours
Leaves that lose color
Probable cause: too much direct or too little light light
Solution: moves the plant to a position with brilliant indirect light
Parasites: Attentive to these unwanted guests
Stromanthe can be affected by mites, aphids and ladybugs. Check the lower side of the leaves and the stems regularly. In case of infestation, treat with diluted Neem oil or insecticide soap, applied with a cotton ball.
How to multiply the Stromanthe
If you fell in love with your Stromanthe and you want to create others, the good news is that the propagation is quite simple through the division:
- Gently extract the plant from the pot during spring repotting
- Examines the radical system and identify the natural divisions
- Carefully separate the sections, making sure that each part has healthy roots and leaves
- Plant each section in a new pot with fresh soil
- Keep the soil slightly humid and the warm environment during the first weeks
Stromanthe perhaps requires a little more attention than the unspeakable Potus, but with these simple care amply rewards the effort with its extraordinary beauty and its unique character.
