Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star'

Story of Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star'

'Magic Star' belongs to Stromanthe thalia, a species from Brazil's wet tropical regions.

In 1999, growers in Honselersdijk in the Netherlands found a naturally occurring mutation with a different leaf pattern on a 'Stripestar' plant. It was later named 'Valmic' and sold as 'Magic Star'.

Caring for Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star'

• Light: Plenty of indirect light keeps the markings clear. Filter the strongest direct sun reaching the leaves.
• Water: During active growth, aim for even moisture. Once the surface begins to dry, water thoroughly and empty any excess from the outer pot.
• Water quality: In hard-water areas, rainwater or distilled water can help reduce brown mineral marks along the edges.
• Humidity: High humidity suits the thin foliage. Gentle airflow around the clump is useful too.
• Potting mix: Use peat-free compost that holds moisture, with bark or perlite mixed through to keep it airy.
• Temperature: Keep 'Magic Star' warm and sheltered from cold draughts or sudden temperature drops.
• Feeding: Give a mild balanced feed roughly once a month while fresh leaves are opening. Pause when growth slows markedly.
• Propagation: When dividing the plant, make sure each new plant has healthy roots and several shoots.
• Repotting: Repot once roots and new shoots have filled the pot or the compost becomes harder to moisten evenly.

Leaf signs on Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star'

• Brown margins develop on otherwise healthy leaves: Dry air, uneven watering or hard water can mark the edges. Correct the watering first, then raise humidity or switch to softer water if needed.
• Dry pale areas appear on the upper surface: The light is too strong for the leaves. Move 'Magic Star' to a bright filtered position.
• Fresh leaves sit on unusually long stalks: Give the plant more light. Move it closer to a bright window with direct rays filtered.
• Soft translucent patches appear during slow growth: The compost is staying too damp while growth is slow. Let the surface dry slightly and keep warm air moving gently around the clump.
• Fine pale speckles, webbing, cottony patches or fixed bumps show up: Check 'Magic Star' for spider mites, mealybugs or scale. Set it apart from other plants while treating the pest, and follow the repeat directions on the label.

Stromanthe thalia ‘Magic Star’ 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.

What does Stromanthe thalia mean, and who first published it?

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.