Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Stromanthe, Prayer Plant
Botanical name: Stromanthe sanguinea
The Stromanthe sanguinea's color and beauty are almost otherworldly, with long, pointed leaves splashed with dark green, cream, and pale pink with fuchsia undersides. This plant likes to be left alone and kept in lower light! Don't be alarmed with sporadic browning leaf edges as this is part and parcel of this particular indoor plant's natural beauty.
Light
One of the first steps in caring for your Stromanthe sanguinea is to choose a warm, well-lit location. Being a tropical plant, it often requires light similar to that found in a rain forest. The ideal place for placing this plant would be near the east or north-facing window, where the plant can enjoy mild morning sunlight. Keeping it in regions with dappled light will also give it the best chance of getting sufficient light. This will allow your plant to thrive well and enhance the coloring it's known for. Direct or too much sunlight can burn its leaves.
Water
A consistent watering schedule is essential. The soil can't be too dry or too wet. Keep an eye on the soil to determine when to water the plant. For the best results, it will need watering once the top inch of the soil is dry. The plant needs to be kept dry during winter. Water quality is another factor to be taken into consideration. The chemicals present in most tap water is toxic to. Use filtered water if you see the edges of the leaves beginning to turn brown
Soil
You may need to transplant your stromanthe every year or so, depending on how fast it grows. We recommend using a soil mixture that is rich in organic matter, has good drainage, and is light and loose. Most bagged potting soil will be fine, but avoid potting mixes that contain moisture retaining crystals, and they can keep the soil wet for long periods, which can cause root damage.
Temperature
The Stromanthe sanguinea grows best in warm conditions. The preferable temperature range is between 65°F to 80°F. While the plant can withstand low temperatures, it should not drop below 60°F. The plants don't do well in environments with too much dry heat and air-conditioners.
Humidity
As a tropical plant, Stromanthe sanguinea grows well under humid conditions. It can be pretty challenging to create a humid environment indoors. An easy method is to spray the leaves once weekly to ensure that your stromanthe is moist. Keeping the plant near the bathroom window with other humid-loving plants is also an efficient method to get the humidity to your Prayer Plant. If you live in a dry location, a humidifier at home will solve the problem. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Stromanthe sanguinea should be fed once a month with a fertilizer diluted to half strength for optimal nourishment and growth. The solution should not be too strong because it can result in root burn. Fertilizer should not be added to dry soil. Organic fertilizers tend to be less strong and don't require dilution. During the winter, Stromanthe Triostar is dormant and does not need to be fertilized. Learn how and when to fertilize your houseplants!
Growth Rate
Stromanthe sanguinea has a moderate growth rate and can grow up to 3' indoors.
Pet Friend or Foe
Stromanthe sanguinea is non-toxic to pets! Friend
Pro Tips
- Since the leaves grow towards the light source, turn the pot once weekly to maintain consistent growth.
- Flushing the soil at the end of each season to remove salt and chemical buildup helps Stromanthe sanguinea grow well.
- Stromanthe grows well in containers. Ensure that the container is deep enough to reach the roots. If it is too deep, the water will not reach the roots properly, which will only hinder the plant's growth