Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar'

Origin and cultivar background of Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar'

Stromanthe thalia comes from humid tropical forest in Brazil, where it grows in warm conditions under filtered light.

In 1999, a differently patterned shoot appeared on a 'Stripestar' plant in the Netherlands. That shoot later became 'Magic Star'.

Growing Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar'

• Light: A consistently bright, filtered position suits 'Stripestar'.
• Water: Keep the compost evenly moist while leaves are developing. Once the surface begins to dry, add water and allow the excess to run out.
• Water quality: Where tap water is hard, rainwater or filtered water is a useful choice.
• Humidity: Humid air supports the foliage, and gentle airflow around the base is helpful.
• Potting mix: Use rich peat-free compost that holds moisture while staying loose around the roots.
• Temperature: 'Stripestar' prefers a warm room with few sudden temperature changes.
• Feeding: During steady leaf growth, give diluted balanced fertiliser roughly every four weeks.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot after the clump fills its container. Divide the clump so each new plant has its own roots and shoots.

Common problems with Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar'

• Brown edging spreads over several leaves: Uneven watering, low humidity or hard water may be responsible. Keep watering more consistent and try softer water if the marking continues.
• Flat pale-brown areas appear: Strong direct light is marking the leaves. Shift 'Stripestar' to a bright filtered position.
• New growth is loose with extended stalks: Increase the available light. Move the plant closer to a bright window while screening the strongest rays.
• Translucent patches develop during slow growth: The compost is holding too much moisture. Allow the compost surface to dry a little, keep the plant warm and provide light airflow.
• Fine webs, sticky residue, cottony insects or attached scale appear: Move 'Stripestar' away from nearby plants while you work out which pest is present. Use a treatment made for it and follow the product label.

Stromanthe thalia ‘Stripestar’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

About the name Stromanthe thalia

Stromanthe joins Greek stroma, meaning bed or spreading layer, with anthos, flower. The epithet thalia recalls the genus Thalia, which Linnaeus named for the German physician and botanist Johannes Thal.

Otto Wilhelm Sonder established the genus Stromanthe in 1849 in Neue Allgemeine Deutsche Garten- und Blumenzeitung, volume 5, page 225.

José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo first described it as Heliconia thalia in 1829 in Flora Fluminensis, volume 3, 106, plate 21. João Marcelo Alvarenga Braga later placed it in Stromanthe as Stromanthe thalia in 1995 in Eugeniana, volume 21, page 23.