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Calathea Triostar vs Stromanthe - Differences & Similarities

Written by Ivy

Jan 29 2023

Calathea Triostar vs Stromanthe - Differences & Similarities

We have compiled the most complete list of all the specific differences between these two lovely plants.

Read this article to ensure that you are never again confused about Calathea and Stromanthe.

Quick Comparison

See a quick table of the differences between these two plants by clicking the link below.

  Calathea Triostar Calathea Stromanthe
Native Area Brazil and Latin America Brazilian rainforests
Leaf Shape
  • Triostar leaves are oval and slightly more rounded
  • Leaves are wider
  • Only slightly oval-shaped that is less rounded
  • Leaves are slimmer and tapered
Leaf Variegations
  • The leaves have green and pink variegation in it
  • Compared to stromanthe leaves, these leaves are more green.
  • There are fewer and darker colored variegated lines.
  • More beautiful and vibrant
  • Leaves are full of long striped variegations
  • On leaves with a dark green color, there are pink, red, and white variations.
  • The lines of variegation are lighter in shade
Plant Size
  • Calathea plants are larger in size
  • They are longer and wider than stromanthe
  • Stromanthe plants are smaller
  • They are leaner in overall appearance
Price More reasonable in price More expensive
Ease of Purchase Easier to find than stromanthe Rarer to find and buy
Prayer Position Both the pink and the green are visible when this plant closes its leaves at night in a position resembling prayer. The pink is completely hidden and only the green is visible when the plant's leaves close at night in a position similar to that of prayer.

What Are the Differences Between Calathea Triostar Vs Stromanthe?

calathea-triostar-vs-stromanthe

The leaves of stromanthe triostar are oval and thinner than those of Calathea, which is primarily how they differ from one another.

They have more pink than green, and when their leaves close in prayer position, the pink completely disappears. Calatheas are easier to find than Stromanthe sanguinea.

What is Calathea Characteristic For?

Because they require little maintenance, calatheas make the best indoor plants. They ae also good for cleaning the air and propagating so that you can gift them to all your friends as well. To find out more about these advantages, keep reading.

Air Purification

These indoor plants are excellent for purifying the air. Their leaves have a lot of pores that let oxygen and carbon dioxide escape into the atmosphere. Not only this, but they also absorb minute quantities of toxins that might be floating about in the air.

We strongly advise bringing one or two of these plants inside your home. Your breathing environment will improve thanks to them.

Calathea Triostar Plant Care

A shaded or semi-shaded location and temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are essential conditions for prayer plants. They are fantastic plants to keep indoors in this regard.

Give them regular irrigation with filtered, clean water. It is best not to allow their soil to get dry. At the same time, avoid overwatering to the point where the soil becomes muddy.

They require a humidity level of up to 65% because they are tropical plants. When the soil and air are allowed to get to dry, you will notice the leaves of your triostar turning brown and wrinkly. The most lush foliage will be produced during the growing season with a light, diluted fertilizer applied every two weeks.

Calathea Propagation

Calatheas are good for propagation because of how rare they are to find. If you wish to keep them for an extended period of time, you must learn how to propagate them. Here is how to grow this prayer plant.

  • Rhizome divisions are the best method for growing this plant. In order to carry this out, you must take the plant out of its pot first. We always spread ours in the spring.
  • Look at the plant's rhizomes after you've taken it out of the pot. Each rhizome will have its own root system along with stems and leaves. You have to keep them apart from one another.
  • Rhizomes are typically simple to separate by hand. Other times, you might need to use a clean knife to trim them off.
  • Place these separated rhizomes in fresh soil and a fresh container. Take the pot to a bright shaded place and look after it with special care until it becomes used to its new home. Your propagation is now finished.

Prayer Position

Because of a special characteristic, this plant is also known as the prayer plant. Its leaves tend to fold inwards and close together at dawn. They immediately reopen at sunrise after receiving the stimulus from light. Without a doubt, this phenomenon is breathtaking and an amazing sight to see every day.

What is Stromanthe Characteristic For?

calathea-triostar-vs-stromanthe

The Stromanthe triostar is the best plant for decorating your home with color and spreading via rhizomes. Also quite straightforward is their care manual. For more information, keep reading.

Great Ornamental Value

For its vivid pink and green foliage, Stromanthe is renowned throughout the world. Its leaves open at sunrise and close at sunset, making this plant quite a dynamic visual treat. There isn't a plant that is more suited to bringing life into a dull room.

Triostar Stromanthe Care

The triostar care is as simple as it gets. First of all, you need a nutrient-rich and well-draining soil mix to pot it in. This plant thrives in sunlight that has been filtered or is partially shaded. Simply avoid direct sunlight to prevent yellowing of the leaves.

The temperature range for this plant is 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the air humidity is at least 50 percent. When the top inch of the soil begins to feel dry to the touch, water it frequently.

A good water drainage system must be in place for the potting soil. It greatly benefits from some necessary moisture retention when peat or sphagnum moss are added to it.

Stromanthe Propagation

The stromanthe triostar plant is best propagated using divisions. The best time of year for this endeavor is in the early to late spring. Before anything else, clean and sterilize your gardening equipment, and prepare fresh pots and soil.

Remove the adult plant from its old pot and wash away the soil stuck to the roots. Many rhizomes from which stems and roots are emerging will be visible. If they need to be cut, use a knife to carefully cut them apart from one another.

Each distinct rhizome should have its own stem, one to two leaves, and roots. Take care of their cultural requirements while repotting them all in their new pots.
Also Read: How To Save My Stromanthe Triostar Leaves Curling

What Are the Similarities?

Because they both have the characteristic of falling at sunrise and rising at sunset in a praying, they are both regarded as prayer plants. They are propagated similarly and share essential needs for survival, which is another significant similarity. Since house plant growers are well-equipped with knowledge, caring for Stromanthe and Calathea is not stressful in the slightest. To cater for the Stromanthe and the Calathea, the following needs to be provided:

1. Humidity

Calathea and Stromanthe can only survive in low-humidity environments; they cannot flourish in hot or cold climates. Warm climates are necessary for the growth of Stromanthe and Calathea. Moving the plants indoors or to a greenhouse during the winter months is recommended.

If maintaining the ideal humidity for the plants proves challenging, misting them frequently and growing them near other plants will both increase the humidity. Humidifiers are useful.

2. Lighting

In bright, indirect light, Stromanthe and Calathea flourish. Although certain safety measures must be taken, especially when they are grown outdoors, bright but indirect sunlight is the ideal lighting for both plants. Provide shade if they are grown outdoors to prevent them from being exposed to direct sunlight. Long-term exposure to sunlight alters the appearance of foliage and causes the colors to deteriorate. (Read More: How Much Light Does Stromanthe Need)

Conversely, if the plant is exposed to low light for an extended period of time, the color of the leaves will start to shift from vivid to dull. The leaves may also start to turn yellow or brown. Additionally, the plant may start to wilt, which is an indication that it needs more light. If grown indoors, place the plants in a location where they can get sunlight or use artificial lighting, like bulbs or fluorescents.

3. Watering

Both plants need enough water to survive. Never let the soil of either plant dry out before watering it again, as this will slow the plants' rate of growth. Both plants' watering issues are either caused by underwatering or overwatering. Overwatering typically results in soggy soil, which is bad for the roots of indoor plants.

4. Potting

Make sure the pots or containers you choose for the Stromanthe or the Calathea have good drainage. The best containers or pots for these houseplants have holes drilled through them to allow for good drainage and prevent waterlogging of the soil. Furthermore, avoid using aluminum containers because they contain dangerous substances that can seep into the ground.

calathea-triostar-vs-stromanthe

5. Soil Mixture

For both indoor plants, organic soil, which is primarily composed of plant and animal decomposition, has the ideal level of moisture. After watering, watch that the soil never becomes soggy.
(Read More: What Is The Best Soil For Stromanthe)

Frequently Asked Questions

There are other plant species that resemble the stromanthe and calatea species. The distinctions between various other plants and these two are frequently questioned. Below are some of these questions and the responses from our experts.

Calathea White Fusion Or Stromanthe Tricolor?

The triostar stromanthe plant has oval-shaped leaves that are elongated, while the Calathea white fusion has large, oval but tapered leaves. It is generally simpler to grow and maintain than other plants, and the Stromanthe has pink stems and leaves with pink variegation.

In contrast, one of the rarest varieties of Calathea is white fusion. It's variegations are white splotches instead of pink. Compared to Stromanthe house plants, it requires more attention.

What is the Difference Between Calathea and Ctenanthe?

Calatheas produce leaves directly from the root mass, whereas Ctenanthe plants produce long stalk-like stems from which leaves emerge. As a result, Ctenanthe and Calatheas differ quite drastically from one another.

By carefully examining their stems, you can also tell these two apart. The stems of the Ctenanthe plants resemble that of bamboo. Unlike the Calatheas, they are long and rugged.

The two of these plants' maintenance needs make up the third key distinction. Ctenanthes can tolerate slightly lower levels of humidity, which is something completely unacceptable for Calatheas.

What Are the Differences Between Stromanthe Vs Ctenanthe?

The main difference between these two plants lies in their variegations, as the green parts on Stromanthe leaves are solid green, while the green part of the Ctenanthe leaves alternate between dark green and light, silver-green.

Additionally, the leaves of stromanthes have more pink. These plants both have oval leaves with exquisite patterning. The midrib on the Ctenanthe leaves is also more pronounced, being a well-defined pale line. Along with the pinstripe-like dark green lines, the leaves also have a green color.

Conclusion

Do you think this is a lot of details? Don't worry, we've gathered all the important points for you here:

  • One of the most frequent questions we get is about the Calathea vs. Stromanthe triostar. Both of these are prayer-plants that open and close their leaves according to their circadian rhythm.
  • Both of their leaves are oval-shaped with pink variegations, but those of Calatheas are more green than pink and wider than longer.
  • The leaves of stromanthe are thinner, more pink in color, and have whitish lines running through them. Additionally, it's harder to find these plants.
  • These plants are good for their ornamental value because of the property of opening and closing their leaves.

Personally, we believe the debate between Calathea and Stromanthe is moot because both of them are stunning plants that you simply must have in your home collection!