Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Triostar

Stromanthe sanguinea

A tropical plant with tricolor foliage blending green, white, and pink, with a dazzling magenta underside, the Triostar is a true living painting.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 5 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–27 °C

How to care for your Triostar

Everything you need to keep your Triostar healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' is native to the humid tropical forests of Brazil, where it grows in the understory under conditions of constant warmth and humidity. Its foliage is a true fireworks display of color: each leaf is unique, painted with irregular brushstrokes of green, creamy white, and pink, while the underside displays a deep, luminous magenta. This plant demands particular attention to humidity and water quality, like its Calathea and Maranta cousins. In return for attentive care, it offers an unmatched chromatic spectacle that brightens even the dullest interiors.

Watering your Triostar

Every 5 days

Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater — sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Never allow soil to dry out completely.

How to know it needs water

Top 1–2 cm of soil feels dry
Leaves begin to curl and lose vibrancy
Crispy brown leaf edges indicate dry conditions

How much light a Triostar needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light essential for vivid variegation. In low light, the pink and cream coloring fades to green. Avoid direct sun which scorches the delicate leaves.

Direct sun tolerated: No direct sun
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

60–80% Requires high humidity for best appearance. Daily misting or a humidifier is recommended. Without adequate humidity, leaf edges brown and curl.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Feed monthly during spring and summer at half strength. Light feeder — too much fertilizer causes leaf burn. Stop feeding in autumn and winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) · 3-1-2

Repotting your Triostar

Every 18 months

Use a well-draining, moisture-retentive mix with peat, perlite, and coco coir. Go up one pot size. Can be divided during repotting. Handle roots carefully.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots growing from drainage holes
Plant dries out very quickly between waterings
New leaves are noticeably smaller or less colorful

Pruning your Triostar

Year-round to remove brown or damaged leaves. Cut damaged leaves at the base of the petiole. Remove any entirely brown leaves promptly to redirect energy to healthy growth. Divide overcrowded clumps in spring.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 7 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 4 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

The 'Triostar' cultivar of Stromanthe sanguinea is considered one of the most colorful houseplants in the world, with leaves blending green, creamy white, and vivid pink.
The underside of Triostar leaves is a brilliant magenta pink, creating a stunning visual display when the leaves rise in the evening.

Frequently asked questions about the Triostar

How do you care for a Triostar?

Water it every 5 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–27 °C. Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater — sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Never allow soil to dry out completely.

How often should you water a Triostar?

Every 5 days Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater — sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Never allow soil to dry out completely. How to know it needs water : Top 1–2 cm of soil feels dry ; Leaves begin to curl and lose vibrancy ; Crispy brown leaf edges indicate dry conditions.

How much light does a Triostar need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light essential for vivid variegation. In low light, the pink and cream coloring fades to green. Avoid direct sun which scorches the delicate leaves. No direct sun

Is the Triostar toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Triostar is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Triostar leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Triostar?

Repot every 18 months, ideally in spring. Use a well-draining, moisture-retentive mix with peat, perlite, and coco coir. Go up one pot size. Can be divided during repotting. Handle roots carefully.