How to Care for Stromanthe: Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Stromanthe is a genus of tropical plants known for their striking foliage and are native to tropical regions of Central and South America, primarily found in countries like Brazil and Venezuela. This genus is a member of the Marantaceae family, which is sometimes referred to as the prayer plant family.

Fun fact! Depending on the light situation at a specific moment, Stromanthe will open and close its leaves. During the day you will find the leaves open and they slowly close when it is beginning to get dark. Maybe you can even hear her leaves rustling as they move, cool right?

People love Stromanthe plants because their leaves are big, shaped like ovals, and can be colorful with greens, pinks, and creams. The undersides of the leaves are often a different and contrasting color, which makes them even more attractive!

Stromanthe Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Provide bright, indirect light for your Stromanthe plant. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. They thrive in filtered or dappled sunlight.
2. Maintain a warm environment with temperatures between 18°C to 27°C. These plants love humidity, so consider using a humidifier or misting the leaves regularly to keep the air moist.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful not to overwater. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
4. Use a well-draining potting mix with some peat content. A slightly acidic to neutral pH soil is ideal for Stromanthe plants.
5. During the growing season, give your Stromanthe a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Reduce or eliminate fertilization in the winter.
6. Repot your Stromanthe when it becomes root-bound or outgrows its container. Spring is usually a good time for repotting.
7. Prune away dead or damaged leaves regularly to maintain the plant's appearance and overall health.
8. Place a tray filled with water and pebbles near your Stromanthe to help increase humidity levels around the plant.
9. Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Treat any infestations promptly with the appropriate measures, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
10. Stromanthe plants can be propagated through division during repotting. Carefully separate sections with roots and replant them in separate pots to create new plants.

Stromanthe Care Tips

Light & Placement

Stromanthe plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Place them in a location where they receive filtered sunlight or dappled shade. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves, causing them to develop brown spots or edges.

Expert tip! Place your Stromanthe in a spot at an east or north-facing windows. These locations provide gentle, indirect light throughout the day without subjecting the plant to intense afternoon sun.

If you don't have access to sufficient natural light, you can supplement it with artificial grow lights.

Watering

The Stromanthe prefer their soil to be slightly moist at all times. You can achieve this by giving regular small splashes of water. Always check the moistness of your soil by sticking your finger inside it. Whenever the soil is beginning to feel dry, is the time you can give your green friend a nice sip of water.

Expert tip! Make sure to drain any excess water. This works best inside a terracotta pot or nursery pot inside an ornamental outer pot.

Fertiliser

Fertilizing Stromanthe houseplants is important to provide them with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Stromanthe plants typically experience their main growth period during the spring and summer. We advise to start fertilizing in early spring and continue every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.

Use a balanced, organic fertilizer like our PLNTS nutrition and make sure you don’t apply fertilizer to dry soil. This can potentially harm the roots and cause nutrient imbalances.

Temperature & Humidity

These tropical plants are sensitive to environmental conditions, so the right temperature and humidity levels are crucial for the health and well-being. Keep the temperature consistently between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) during the day, as Stromanthe plants thrive in a warm environment.

Since Stromanthe plants are native to tropical regions and thrive in high humidity levels. Ideally, maintain humidity levels between 50% and 60% or higher. You can use a hygrometer to monitor humidity.

Soil & Repotting

Stromanthe plants prefer well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture. A recommended mix is a potting mix with soil and a combination of perlite or orchid bark to enhance drainage.

Expert tip! Ensure that the potting mix remains loose and does not become compacted over time. Compacted soil can lead to poor drainage and root suffocation.

Since Stromanthe plants are relatively slow growers, you don’t have to repot them very often. Once they outgrow their pots, you can provide them with a bigger one and some fresh soil. Keep an eye on your plant's growth and roots to determine when it's time to repot.

Stromanthe propagation

Do you love your Stromanthe so much that you want to make a new plant out of your existing one? We totally get that! Luckily for us PLNTSlovers, propagating a Stromanthe houseplant is super simple. The easiest way is through division, where you separate a portion of the plant with its roots and potting it separately to grow a new plant.

Carefully remove the Stromanthe plant from its pot, check out the plant's root system and locate natural divisions or separate sections of the plant with their own roots. These divisions will become individual new plants. Use the knife or pruning shears to carefully cut through the roots, creating separate sections. Ensure that each section has roots and healthy foliage. Plant your new babies in some fresh soil, and voila!

Most common pests & diseases on Stromanthe

Stromanthe houseplants are susceptible to common pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs, which can damage their beautiful foliage. They can also suffer from diseases such as leaf spot, root rot, powdery mildew, and bacterial leaf spot. To keep these plants healthy, prevention through regular care and early detection is crucial. If you need help identifying a plague, or solving it, make sure to check our PLNTSdoctor page.

Are Stromanthe poisonous for your pets or children?

Stromanthe houseplants are considered non-toxic to children or pets, but we don’t think it will be a very tasty snack for either one. Always make sure to keep your plants out of reach, to keep them healthy and thriving!

Buy your new Stromanthe online at PLNTS.com

Are you up for adopting a colourful Stromanthe? At PLNTS.com you can buy Stromanthe online, like the Stromanthe Sanguinea. Buy Stromanthe online at PLNTS.com