Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar'

Tropical background of Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar'

'Triostar' is a named form of Stromanthe thalia, which grows naturally in the warm, humid forests of Brazil.

The same plant is also sold under the name 'Tricolor'.

Care for Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar'

• Light: Place 'Triostar' near a bright window with filtered light. Strong sun through glass can mark the palest areas.
• Water: Aim for even moisture while new leaves are appearing. During slower growth, wait until the surface has dried slightly before adding more water.
• Water quality: Rainwater or distilled water is useful when tap water is very hard and leaf edges mark easily.
• Humidity: The broad, thin leaves respond especially well to high humidity.
• Potting mix: Choose airy peat-free compost that keeps some moisture around the roots.
• Temperature: Keep the plant at a steady warm room temperature, protected from cold draughts and abrupt changes.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser about once every four weeks while the plant is actively growing.
• Propagation: To divide an established clump, keep healthy roots and several shoots with each new plant.
• Repotting: Repot when the current pot is packed with roots or the compost becomes difficult to wet evenly.

Leaf trouble on Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar'

• The tips and edges turn brittle and brown: Dry air, fluctuating watering or hard water can affect the margins. Improve humidity, even out moisture and use softer water if needed.
• Brown marks form mainly in the cream areas: Direct sun is stressing the palest parts of the leaf. Filter the strongest light reaching the plant.
• Leaves weaken and stalks lengthen: Move 'Triostar' closer to bright filtered light so later growth develops more strongly.
• Water-soaked translucent patches appear while the compost is damp: The compost is staying wet longer than the plant needs. Let the surface dry, empty standing water and check the roots if the patches continue to appear.
• Very fine speckles, delicate webs, white cottony patches or stuck-on bumps appear: These signs can point to spider mites, mealybugs or scale. Keep 'Triostar' separate from other plants, identify the pest and use a suitable labelled treatment. Repeat it as directed on the label.

Stromanthe thalia ‘Triostar’ 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.

Stromanthe thalia: where the name comes from

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.