Strumaria tenella Plant Care
Strumaria tenella (L.f.) Snijman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Strumaria tenella is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782 as Crinum tenellum.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Strumaria tenella?
Water Strumaria tenella every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Strumaria tenella Native To?
What Is the Strumaria tenella?
Strumaria tenella (Strumaria tenella) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Strumaria genus. Strumaria tenella is native to Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa.
Strumaria tenella displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Strumaria tenella produces fragrant star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Strumaria tenella?
Strumaria tenella 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 Strumaria tenella Need?
Strumaria tenella thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Strumaria tenella in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Strumaria tenella Prefer?
Strumaria tenella grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Strumaria tenella prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Strumaria tenella?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Strumaria tenella to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Strumaria tenella?
Feed Strumaria tenella 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 Strumaria tenella?
Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Strumaria tenella?
Strumaria tenella can be propagated through seeds, offsets, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to strumaria chaplinii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Strumaria tenella Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to pets, can cause skin irritation in humans
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 Strumaria tenella?
Strumaria tenella is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. 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 Strumaria tenella Need?
Strumaria tenella grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Strumaria tenella is native to Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Strumaria tenella as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Strumaria tenella 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 Strumaria genus — compare its care with other Strumaria species on PlantoScan.
Strumaria is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Strumaria tenella thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Strumaria Species
Other Strumaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Strumaria tenella (L.f.) Snijman, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Contr. Bolus Herb. 16: 87 (1994)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Strumaria tenella is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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