Here I go again. This is a propagation of my original plant, which I neglected a whole lot (sorry plant) and finally dug up and propagated to get a new fresh start.
My old plant had gotten to be a very large clump and was almost 7 feet tall. But it was right by the big greenhouse sliding door, and started outgrowing the space. SO I moved the new propagation to a more central location, and I am getting my first 'seeker'....the first spike that is now over 4 feet tall.

Yes, they really do grow that big. Can't wait for it to really get full and lush again. Of course them I will have to cut it back to keep it in check. If you give it enough light, water, humidity and space you can get one to grow this tall in the house. But it takes dedication.

it is a stunning plant, and i did not know they get tall.
But having seen 'real live' Epipremnum in a tropical garden, up a tree with HUGE leaves, nothing much surprises me now about the difference between 'baby' tropical houseplants and their true nature

@sallyg they can crowd out a space. They are in the Maranta family so they act, to me, like a calathea but a little tougher. My Ctenanthe lubbersiana is so huge now when I bring it in for winter it has a spread of about 5-6 feet. I have to alot a special space for it and save it through the year.

There are many plants in the calathea/maranta alliance that get very tall. Most are not purchased by folks looking for a manageable houseplant, but purchased as single start rhizomes from tropical plant sources and grown up in non-houseplant situations. Some of them are referred to as the 'Cigar' calatheas because their blooms kind of resemble cigars LOL

WOW @Gina1960 I did not know it would grow tall. I have had mine for 10 yrs. I have gave away divisions because when everybody see it they love it too. I admit it is my favorite plant.

It may not do it if it is containerized. I'll have to look back and see if I have photos to if from before.

I take it outside every Spring. So it is outside May until Nov.

I probably need to pot it up it is in a gallon pot. I have some really large decorative pots that are 4 ft by 4ft. .

If you do I bet it will get taller

Why post this string on the houseplants forum? To show people trying to grow this plant inside, that it can grow better in the ground? If you want a good comparison, dig up the plant, put it in a pot, add some dirt, bring it inside and set it in a window for several months, then see what happens. We would love to see those photos.

Beautiful plants, guys! The shape kinda reminds of Croton Sunny Star.

MissySue said:Why post this string on the houseplants forum? To show people trying to grow this plant inside, that it can grow better in the ground? If you want a good comparison, dig up the plant, put it in a pot, add some dirt, bring it inside and set it in a window for several months, then see what happens. We would love to see those photos.

Gee I am sorry MissySue if I offended you. I think I actually meant to post this on the Tropicals forum. But that is still not a reason for you to go off on me. Lighten up.

MissySue said:Why post this string on the houseplants forum? To show people trying to grow this plant inside, that it can grow better in the ground? If you want a good comparison, dig up the plant, put it in a pot, add some dirt, bring it inside and set it in a window for several months, then see what happens. We would love to see those photos.

ALL plants originate in soil, in the ground, somewhere on the planet. The native habitat of Stromanthe (Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar') (synonym Stromanthe sanguinea) is Brazil and it is grown as a landscape plant in many other warm climates where it will survive outdoors year-round. It is also grown as a greenhouse plant as well as an indoor "houseplant" in climates where it will not survive cold winters. Wherever it is grown, it requires the same type of care and as Gina's last sentence states "If you give it enough light, water, humidity and space you can get one to grow this tall in the house. But it takes dedication."

In my opinion this post would be appropriate for any of the following forums: Tropicals, Houseplants, Shade Gardening, Florida Gardening, or even the All Things Gardening Forum.

plantladylin said:

ALL plants originate in soil, in the ground, somewhere on the planet. The native habitat of Stromanthe (Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar') (synonym Stromanthe sanguinea) is Brazil and it is grown as a landscape plant in many other warm climates where it will survive outdoors year-round. It is also grown as a greenhouse plant as well as an indoor "houseplant" in climates where it will not survive cold winters. Wherever it is grown, it requires the same type of care and as Gina's last sentence states "If you give it enough light, water, humidity and space you can get one to grow this tall in the house. But it takes dedication."

In my opinion this post would be appropriate for any of the following forums: Tropicals, Houseplants, Shade Gardening, Florida Gardening, or even the All Things Gardening Forum.

plantladylin said:

ALL plants originate in soil, in the ground, somewhere on the planet. The native habitat of Stromanthe (Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar') (synonym Stromanthe sanguinea) is Brazil and it is grown as a landscape plant in many other warm climates where it will survive outdoors year-round. It is also grown as a greenhouse plant as well as an indoor "houseplant" in climates where it will not survive cold winters. Wherever it is grown, it requires the same type of care and as Gina's last sentence states "If you give it enough light, water, humidity and space you can get one to grow this tall in the house. But it takes dedication."

In my opinion this post would be appropriate for any of the following forums: Tropicals, Houseplants, Shade Gardening, Florida Gardening, or even the All Things Gardening Forum.

also

Cinta, yours is a gorgeous specimen!

MissySue said:Why post this string on the houseplants forum? To show people trying to grow this plant inside, that it can grow better in the ground? If you want a good comparison, dig up the plant, put it in a pot, add some dirt, bring it inside and set it in a window for several months, then see what happens. We would love to see those photos.

MissySue, If you look at my pic it is a houseplant and has never been in the ground. What do you want to know? Even though Gina did comment on pot culture/houseplant growth We are a friendly group that love plants.
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Thank you @plantladylin . I love this plant. I think of it as a year round beautiful flower because it is so colorful.

I've always preferred stromanthe over calathea even though I don't think I'd have either. Stromanthe takes up a bit too much space and I believe needs more light than I can offer, and calatheas aren't quite worth the trouble to me. Seeing your stromanthes is enough for me. Beautiful plants.

@CrazedHoosier Calthea ate dead man walking under my care. I have been sucked in many times with the pretty leaves only to watch them die a slow death.

The only thing I have to do with this one is make sure it does not get dry. It does not care about light warm just water. Something that is hard for me because I hate to water plants indoors.

Cinta said:@CrazedHoosier Calthea ate dead man walking under my care. I have been sucked in many times with the pretty leaves only to watch them die a slow death.

The only thing I have to do with this one is make sure it does not get dry. It does not care about light warm just water. Something that is hard for me because I hate to water plants indoors.

I sort of accidentally wired my brain to find calathea unattractive. When I first started out, I thought they were really cool and flashy, but after all the complaints and horror stories I've heard about them, I now think they're somewhat ugly. Hopefully that doesn't offend anybody.

So stromanthe is noticeably easier than calathea? I'm with you on the watering thing. Sometimes I take my houseplants outside just to water if the days are good.

@CrazedHoosier I need to learn that brain trick.

Yes this plant is not a Calathea. It does not like to go dry but it forgives me when I forget.. It sulks loose a few leaves but they grow back. Calathea is not into forgiveness.

Gina I love your posts. To know Stromanthes get that big is fascinating! After seeing yours and Cintas I decided this definitely needs to go on my wishlist!