Stromanthe sanguinea Triostar
Stromanthe sanguinea Triostar (Triostar Stromanthe) Care Guide
Featured photostromanthe-triostar.jpgStromanthe sanguinea Triostar, sold as Triostar Stromanthe, is a Marantaceae prayer plant native to tropical American forest understorey. A widely-grown variegated cultivar of S. sanguinea with cream, pink, and green striped upper leaf surfaces and the species' typical burgundy underside. One of the most colourful indoor prayer plants. Like all members of the family the leaves fold upward at night and open in the morning — the nyctinasty that gives the family its name and makes prayer plants distinctive among foliage indoors.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 1 to 2 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 60–80 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Peat-based, well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite.
- Origin
- Tropical forest understorey of Central and South America.
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm tall depending on species.
Overview
Stromanthe sanguinea Triostar belongs to Marantaceae, the prayer-plant family of about 550 tropical species across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. A widely-grown variegated cultivar of S. sanguinea with cream, pink, and green striped upper leaf surfaces and the species' typical burgundy underside. One of the most colourful indoor prayer plants. The nightly leaf folding is mediated by a swelling at the base of each leaf called a pulvinus, which contracts to lift the leaf upward as light fades.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light, never direct midday sun.
- Evenly moist soil — neither dry nor soggy.
- Humidity above 60 percent.
- Use filtered or rainwater to avoid leaf-edge burn.
Common Problems
Crispy leaf edges signal dry air or hard water. Curled leaves indicate thirst. Pale washed-out colour means too much direct light.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
How is 'Triostar' different from the species form?
S. sanguinea 'Triostar' carries chimeric variegation that produces irregular cream and pink stripes on the upper leaf surface, while the underside retains the species' characteristic burgundy. The cultivar grows somewhat more slowly than the plain species because the cream tissue lacks chlorophyll.
Why do prayer plants fold at night?
Prayer plants fold their leaves upward at night through the action of pulvini at the base of each leaf — pressure changes in the pulvinus tissue lift the leaf as light fades. The behaviour is called nyctinasty and is the family signature of Marantaceae.
Can I divide my prayer plant?
Yes — Marantaceae divide cleanly in spring. Unpot the rootball, gently separate the rhizome into clumps each carrying several leaves and roots, and pot each clump into fresh peat-based mix. Divisions establish quickly with steady humidity.
