A Comprehensive Guide to Growing Stromanthe stromatoides “Charlie.”
Indoor plants play a crucial part in adding beauty to your home, office, or garden. They are ideal for minimalist and healthy decorations.
Being the best natural air cleaners, the demand for indoor plants is increasing day by day. People are busy searching for their ideal indoor plants.
There is a unique plant with dual-colored leaves among the indoor plants called ‘stromanthe stromatoide.’
What is Stromanthe stromatoide?
These insanely attractive plants are bound to top the list of your favorites! Stromanthe Stromathoide goes by the name ‘Charlie,’ which is relatively new in the market so that you won’t come across them very often. Charlie is rarely found and displays unique features. It is strongly variegated, oblong, and has medium green foliage.
Appearance and Characteristics
Charlie plants are streaked with white, pink, and green lines of different magnitudes, spreading across the entire leaf. Do you know what the best part about Charlie is? They are eye-catching and add flair to your interior, but at the same time, they are also pocket-friendly! Kill two birds with one stone!
Quick Summary
Botanical Plant name: Stromanthe stromatoids
Native to: Brazilian rainforest.
Care: Needs partial and complete shade and moderate soil
Size: Average height is between 90 to 120cm (36-48in).
Plant inspiration tip: looking for more brightness in your home, then check out Goldfish plants from Brazil.
Common problems:
With overwatering, Charlie is prone to browning leaves.
Intolerant to bright or direct sunlight
Toxicity:
No significant toxicity is seen for humans or indoor pets. However, it is advised not to digest it.
How to care for a Stromanthe stromatoide
Sunlight
Stromanthe stromatoide cannot bear extreme bright or direct sunlight. Keeping it in moderate sunlight is best for its growth. Also, it can withstand low light. However, too little light can result in nyctinastic moments.
Watering
This colorful shrub depends on moist soil. It cannot grow in standing water. It is better to water the plant when the top 20-25% of the soil is dry. The important thing is that a plant needs to stay moist, but not at all times. Overwatering can lead to the browning of leaves and, in the worst case, plant death.
Temperature
Temperature is a vital factor for plant growth and development. It prefers temperatures between 65-75 degrees. Placing the Stromanthe stromatoides plant in a warm room could help in its growth. Very high temperatures may cause water loss. As a result, the plant gets dehydrated.
Humidity
Humidity is essential for Charlie to flourish. So, it is suggested that you mist the plant every day. Stromanthe stromatoides love a humid environment. If the humidity levels are above 50%, then these plants show remarkable growth. You can efficiently utilize a humidifier for better results.
Cleaning
Plant cleaning is one of the most crucial aspects of care. It helps the plants to stay lively and healthy. It also boosts the plant’s development. After misting, it is advised to put saucers and cork plant mats under the pots. It helps to trap water that drops from leaves.
Fertilizing & Soil
It is beneficial to fertilize the Charlie plant every month from May to August (growing season). According to experts, it is essential to dilute the houseplant fertilizer by about half. Moreover, moist soil is best for the growth of Stromanthe stromatoids.
Repotting
When repotting, the soil and new pot must be well-draining. When the soil is dried, leaves will respond by curling and becoming crisp. And that is not good for the plant’s health.
Plant inspiration tips: looking or an ornamental plant then check out our inspiration guide on Calathea plants.
How and When To Prune
Pruning includes cutting yellow and dying leaves to improve the health of your plant. While pruning, you need to be careful about a few things, such as
- Use clean scissors or shears only to avoid causing any bacterial and fungal infections.
- Do not cut through yellowed tissue because it would further worsen the bacterial diseases.
- Make sure the incisions you are making are clean enough, or else it can shock the plant, hampering its growth.
- Remove any dying stems to allow new growth. Sometimes you’ll also have to remove all of the stems, leaving an empty pot of soil.
Problems With Stromanthe stromatoide
According to my little jungle, there are numerous varieties of Stromanthe plants. Out of which, only two of them can be grown indoors, Stromatoides and Sanguinea. The other species are not available commercially. The bad news is, some of those species are close to extinction. So, while buying a Stromanthe plant, make sure that you don’t buy an endangered and exotic Stromanthe. Since they can be on the brink of extinction.
How to Propagate
You can propagate Charlie through seed, Rhizome (Offset) Division, or Stem Cuttings. However, the easiest way is Rhizome division.
Rhizome or Offset Division
- Once spring arrives and your pup’s height reaches 20cm, it’s the best time to divide.
- Be gentle while brushing away the soil to better access the pup’s base and roots.
- Then, use clean scissors to cut the stem with at least two root strands attached to its base.
- Set the pup in an adequate-sized pot with adequate drainage.
- The ideal location is where bright, indirect light and temperatures above 15℃ (59℉) are present.
- Maintain evenly moist soil.
- After a month or two, your plant is ready to be treated as a mature one.
Common FAQs
How much light does a Stromanthe stromatoide need?
Stromanthe stromatoides require moderate and sometimes bright inexplicit light. It hates direct sunlight.
What is so special about the Stromanthe stromatoide?
Stromanthe stromatoides is a scarce plant. Their leaves have strong variegation even in lower light conditions.
Are Stromanthe stromatoide good indoor plants?
Stromanthe stromatoides is the best indoor plant. But it requires proper care.
Can a Stromanthe stromatoide grow in low light?
Stromanthe stromatoides can withstand low light. It is better to keep it at a place that is half shaded. It will enhance its development.
How to differentiate between Stromanthe stromatoides and Stromanthe sanguinea?
Stromatoides have more green leaves. On the other hand, sanguinea has more pink leaves. You can easily differentiate between the species with this technique.
Is It Worth It To Buy A Stromanthe stromatoide?
Stromanthe stromatoides are one of the most eye-catching tropical plants. It falls under the category of shrubs that requires low maintenance.
Charlie’s amazing features and vibrant color makes it a unique and perfect addition to the natural decoration of your house. Moreover, it is inexpensive to buy and is easy to handle.
If you want to add something different from the plants with only green leaves, then Stromanthe stromatoides ticks that box.
Are you looking for more plants for your collection? Check out some more indoor plants with low maintenance.