Stromanthe sanguinea 'Stripestar' (Calathea stripestar)

Stromanthe like other plants from the Marantaceae family, are native to Brazil, growing in scrubland and clearings. The foliage is deep green, with a distinctive stripe down the centre in a paler green, and red abaxials (undersides). With the right care, this plant can reach 2 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet across, with the foliage reaching lengths of up to 50cm!

Care difficulty: This plant has moderate care needs.

Light requirements: For this plant to thrive it needs a medium to bright indirect light, a few feet from an east or west-facing window is best. Too much direct light will cause leaves to burn, if this happens move the prayer plant to a slightly shadier position.

Watering: Have specific water requirements, keep their soil moist but not waterlogged, as sitting in water will cause root rot. Water when the top inch of soil has dried out slightly and allow it to drain thoroughly. Can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water and this can cause browning edges, therefore they prefer to be watered with rainwater. However, as this is not always possible you can leave tap water out to stand for 24 hours before watering.

Humidity: Love humidity. A lack of humidity can cause crispy leaf edges. Central heating and dry air are a sure way to make your plant suffer as are cold draughts, ideally, keep them at a temperature above 15°C and humidity around 70%. To boost humidity you can group humidity-loving plants together, use a humidifier or situate them in a bathroom or kitchen.

Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and pets.

Feeding: Can be fed during the spring and summer every 2-4 weeks. Always follow the instructions on the packaging of your feed of choice.

Repotting: Repot every two to three years during spring or when it has outgrown its current container. Size up one to two inches bigger than its current container and make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes.