Overview

Introduce a touch of the tropics to your home with the exquisite Calathea Triostar live plant. This stunning variety of Calathea, often referred to as Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’ or ‘Tricolor’, is celebrated for its incredibly vibrant and dramatic foliage. Each leaf is a masterpiece, displaying striking shades of green, cream, and pink on the upper surface, with a deep purplish-red underside. The Calathea Triostar is also known as a ‘prayer plant’ due to its fascinating habit of folding its leaves upwards at night, resembling hands in prayer, and unfurling them again with the morning light. This particular offering is for a healthy, established plant in a 4 inch pot, ready to thrive in your indoor environment. Ideal for adding a splash of color and unique texture, this indoor tropical plant makes a captivating focal point in any room.

Originating from the Brazilian rainforests, the Calathea Triostar thrives in conditions that mimic its natural humid, shaded habitat. It’s not just a beautiful addition; like many Calatheas, it’s also known for its air-purifying qualities, helping to create a healthier living space. Its intricate patterns and dynamic leaf movements offer continuous visual interest, making it a favorite among houseplant collectors and beginners alike who appreciate distinctive botanical beauty. This variegated foliage plant is a testament to nature’s artistry.

Key Benefits

The Calathea Triostar live plant offers numerous advantages beyond its undeniable aesthetic appeal, making it a valuable addition to your indoor plant collection. Its unique characteristics contribute to both the beauty and well-being of your home.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: The primary draw of the Calathea Triostar is its breathtaking variegated leaves. The vibrant mix of green, cream, and pink with a deep red underside creates a dramatic and sophisticated look, instantly elevating the decor of any room. It’s a living piece of art.
• Air Purification: Like many tropical plants, the Calathea Triostar contributes to cleaner indoor air by filtering out common airborne toxins. This natural purification helps improve the overall quality of your home environment, supporting better health and well-being.
• Dynamic Leaf Movement: Experience the captivating phenomenon of ‘nyctinasty,’ where the leaves of this prayer plant care marvel fold upwards at night and unfurl during the day. This daily ritual adds an interactive and intriguing element to your plant, making it a constant source of wonder.
• Pet-Friendly Option: Unlike some popular houseplants, the Calathea Triostar is generally considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safer choice for households with curious cats and dogs. Always supervise pets, but enjoy peace of mind with this beautiful plant.
• Natural Humidity Indicator: This plant’s love for humidity can serve as a subtle indicator of your home’s moisture levels. If edges start to crisp, it’s a gentle reminder to increase humidity, benefiting both the plant and potentially your own comfort.
• Unique Gift Idea: Due to its striking appearance and fascinating characteristics, a Calathea Triostar live plant makes an unforgettable gift for plant lovers, home decorators, or anyone looking to add a vibrant, living element to their space.
• Enhances Indoor Ambiance: The lush foliage and tropical vibe of the Calathea Triostar contribute to a calming and serene atmosphere, transforming any corner into a peaceful retreat. Its presence can reduce stress and improve mood.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Calathea Triostar care is essential to maintain the vibrant colors and healthy growth of this beautiful tropical plant. Mimicking its native rainforest environment is key. It thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves, causing the vibrant colors to fade or brown. An east-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window where it receives filtered light. Too little light can cause the variegation to become less pronounced. Ensure consistent moisture, but never let the plant sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and allow excess water to drain completely.

High humidity is crucial for the Calathea Triostar. Aim for humidity levels between 60-80%. You can achieve this by misting regularly, placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, or using a humidifier nearby. Brown, crispy leaf edges are a common sign of insufficient humidity. Use distilled water, rainwater, or filtered water for watering and misting, as the plant can be sensitive to chemicals found in tap water, such as chlorine and fluoride. The ideal temperature range is between 65-80°F (18-27°C); avoid temperatures below 60°F (15°C) and sudden temperature fluctuations. This indoor tropical plant prefers a well-draining, peat-based potting mix that retains some moisture but doesn’t become waterlogged. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce feeding in fall and winter.

Watch out for common pests like spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions. Regular misting can help deter them. If an infestation occurs, treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while drooping leaves might signal underwatering or low humidity. Prune any yellow or damaged leaves to encourage new growth and maintain the plant’s aesthetic. Re-pot your Calathea Triostar live plant every 1-2 years or when it becomes root-bound, typically in spring. With diligent variegated foliage plant attention to these care tips, your Calathea Triostar will flourish and continue to display its stunning beauty.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy Calathea Triostar live plant, shipped in its nursery pot, which measures 4 inches in diameter. At the time of shipment, the plant typically stands between 6 to 10 inches tall from the base of the pot. The Calathea Triostar is a moderate grower, and with optimal prayer plant care, it can eventually reach a mature height of 1 to 2 feet and a similar spread indoors, creating a lush, bushy appearance. The plant will arrive well-packaged to ensure its integrity during transit, ready for placement in your home. It features multiple leaves, each showcasing the distinctive green, cream, and pink variegation. This size is perfect for tabletops, desks, or as an accent in a plant collection, providing an immediate impact of color and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Calathea Triostar live plant get? A: This 4-inch potted plant typically stands 6-10 inches tall upon arrival. With proper care, it can mature to a height of 1 to 2 feet and a similar width indoors, creating a beautiful, full specimen.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Calathea Triostar is primarily grown as an indoor tropical plant in most climates due to its sensitivity to cold and preference for high humidity. It can be placed outdoors in very warm, humid, and shaded environments during summer in appropriate USDA zones.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This variegated foliage plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will scorch its leaves and cause its vibrant colors to fade. An east-facing window or a spot a few feet away from a brighter window is usually ideal.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Calathea Triostar is considered moderately challenging. It requires consistent humidity and specific watering practices, making consistent Calathea Triostar care important. It’s a rewarding plant for those willing to meet its needs.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Calathea Triostar live plant will be carefully packaged and shipped in its 4-inch nursery pot, ensuring it arrives in good health and ready to be placed in your home. We take great care to protect it during transit.
• Q: How often should I water my Calathea Triostar? A: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. It prefers consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. Always use distilled or filtered water and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, which is crucial for good prayer plant care.
• Q: Is the Calathea Triostar pet-safe? A: Yes, the Calathea Triostar (Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’) is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safer choice for homes with pets. However, it’s always best to discourage pets from ingesting any plant material.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this plant? A: A well-draining, peat-based potting mix is best. Look for mixes designed for tropical plants or amend a general potting mix with perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage and aeration.
• Q: Why are the leaves of my Calathea Triostar curling or turning brown? A: Curling leaves often indicate underwatering or low humidity. Brown, crispy edges typically point to low humidity or sensitivity to chemicals in tap water. Address these factors to restore your Calathea Triostar live plant‘s health.
• Q: Does this plant have any special light requirements for the pink color to show? A: Yes, bright indirect light is essential for maintaining the vibrant pink and cream variegation of your variegated foliage plant. Too little light can cause the colors to become duller, while too much direct light can burn the leaves.