Stenandrium thomense Plant Care
Stenandrium thomense (Milne-Redh.) Vollesen
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stenandrium thomense, synonym Stenandriopsis thomensis, is a species of flowering plants of the family Acanthaceae. It is a low herb with purple flowers.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stenandrium thomense?
Water Stenandrium thomense every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Stenandrium thomense?
Stenandrium thomense (Stenandrium thomense) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Stenandrium genus.
Stenandrium thomense displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Stenandrium thomense produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stenandrium thomense?
Stenandrium thomense requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Stenandrium thomense Need?
Stenandrium thomense thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Stenandrium thomense in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stenandrium thomense Prefer?
Stenandrium thomense grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Stenandrium thomense prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stenandrium thomense?
Well-draining soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, perlite, and compost. Good drainage is essential for Stenandrium thomense to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stenandrium thomense?
Feed Stenandrium thomense every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Stenandrium thomense?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Stenandrium thomense?
Stenandrium thomense can be propagated through stem cuttings, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sweet shrub plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stenandrium thomense Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stenandrium thomense, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Stenandrium thomense?
Stenandrium thomense is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Stenandrium thomense Need?
Stenandrium thomense grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Stenandrium thomense as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Stenandrium thomense is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Stenandrium genus — compare its care with other Stenandrium species on PlantoScan.
Stenandrium is part of the Acanthaceae plant family — browse all Acanthaceae genera and species.
Stenandrium thomense thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stenandrium thomense (Milne-Redh.) Vollesen, family Acanthaceae (first published in Kew Bull. 47: 187 (1992)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stenandrium thomense, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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