Striking red leaves on a species from Brazil, relatively easy to care for

Stromanthe thalia , better known by its synonym 'Stromanthe sanguinea', has oblong leaves with a vibrant mix of dark green and pink hues on top, while the undersides display a rich burgundy color.

In the wild, this species grows in the shade on the forest floor in the rainforests of Brazil. The leaves vary, some are green while others have patterns.

Under perfect conditions, Stromanthe sanguinea will reach 1.2-1.8 meters tall in about a year.

Botanical description

Stromanthe thalia is a species of plant in the Marantaceae, native to the Brazilian rainforest. The Latin epithet sanguinea means "blood-red", referring to the burgundy undersides of the leaves.

Hummingbirds and bees are the main pollinators in its natural habitat. The plant can grow outdoors in a humid tropical climate but needs light shade in the afternoon and must be protected from strong winds.

Propagation can be done from either seeds or rhizome division, but it is quicker and more reliable to take rhizome cuttings. The plant emerges from a rhizome that gradually expands and forms larger clumps.

Care

Stromanthe sanguinea thrives in humid environments, much like we have indoors. The soil should be kept moist at all times but never wet, as the plant is susceptible to root rot.

Grow the plant in a pot and use moss mixed with peat-free soil, fine bark and perlite as a substrate. We recommend our peat-free soil.

Indoors, it thrives in indirect light and protection from direct sun.

This species thrives excellently in a terrarium/paludarium with nighttime low temperatures of 14-17°C and daytime temperatures of 24-30°C. Buy Stromanthe sanguinea online!