Customers in our Exmouth Market shop often come to us for our best advice on how to keep their newly purchased houseplants alive and thriving. For those who would like to get a little more green-fingered, well be sharing our best tips and tricks on how to best care for your leafy companions. This month, well be talking about one of our all-time favourite houseplants: the Calathea Ornata!
The Calathea Ornata, also known as the Calathea Pinstripe or simply Pinstripe Plant, are a tropical plant that make a fantastic choice for an eye-catching houseplant due to their lovely pink striped leaves, which almost look like a painting!
In this blog post, well talk you through watering needs, the best spot to keep your brand new Calathea and what pot to keep your new houseplant in. All you need to know to welcome a healthy Calathea into your house!
The Calathea ornata, also known as the pinstripe plant or Calathea pinstripe, is a gorgeous tropical plant known for its striking leaves. This plant is native to South America and Central America and features large, oval green leaves with pink stripes reminiscent of a painted canvas.
While absolutely beautiful, the Calathea ornata is infamous for being quite finicky and tricky to care for. However, don’t let that discourage you – with the proper care, your pinstripe plant can grow healthy and strong. In this article, we will provide a complete care guide for the Calathea ornata, covering water, light, humidity, soil, fertilizer, temperature, pruning, propagation, repotting, pests, and troubleshooting common issues.
Overview of Calathea Ornata Care
Here is a quick overview of the key elements for successfully growing Calathea ornata:
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Light Bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun.
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when top inch is dry. Use distilled or filtered water.
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Humidity: Prefers 40-60% humidity. Mist leaves, use pebble tray, or humidifier.
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Temperature 65-80°F Avoid cold drafts
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Soil: Well-draining potting mix. Peat moss retains moisture.
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Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in growing season.
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Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves and edges. Do not over prune.
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Propagation: By division of root ball.
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Repotting: Annually in spring, or when rootbound.
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Pests: Spider mites, mealybugs, thrips. Treat with insecticidal soap.
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Problems: Leaf curling, spots, browning. Adjust water, light, humidity.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
As a tropical plant native to the rainforests of South America, the Calathea ornata prefers warm, humid environments and indirect sunlight. Replicating these conditions in your home will keep your pinstripe plant healthy and vibrant.
Light Requirements
The Calathea ornata thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Place it near an east or west facing window where it will receive consistent indirect light throughout the day. Avoid direct southern exposure, as the harsh rays will fade and burn the leaves. Insufficient light will cause the pink stripes to fade to white.
Watering Your Calathea Ornata
These tropical plants love moisture! The key is to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Water your Calathea when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Always check the soil before watering instead of sticking to a set schedule. Sitting in soggy soil will lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
Only use distilled or filtered water, as tap water contains minerals that can burn the leaves. You can also collect rainwater to use. Empty excess water from the saucer after watering to prevent soggy soil.
Humidity
Calathea ornata thrives in 40-60% ambient humidity. The easiest way to increase moisture is to mist the leaves several times a week with a spray bottle. You can also place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, or keep plants grouped together to form a natural humid microclimate. Run a humidifier nearby as well.
Temperature
This plant prefers daytime temperatures of 65-80°F and slightly cooler temperatures at night. Avoid placing it near cold drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents. Sudden temperature drops will shock the plant and cause leaf damage.
Air Circulation
Good air circulation will help prevent fungal diseases. Place your Calathea in an area with some airflow and gently brush your hand over the leaves occasionally to keep air circulating within its foliage.
Soil
Use a rich, well-draining potting mix with plenty of organic material. A blend of potting soil, peat moss, perlite, and compost will provide moisture retention and air circulation. Peat helps retain the moisture Calatheas love. Re-pot with fresh soil annually.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring through fall). Fertilizing is not necessary in the winter when growth slows. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Caring For Your Calathea Ornata
Caring for your pinstripe plant extends beyond just water and light to pruning, propagation, and pest prevention. Implement these tips as part of your regular care routine.
Pruning
To maintain its shapely form, prune away any dead, damaged, or otherwise unsightly leaves using sterile gardening shears. Avoid removing more than 20% of foliage at one time, as over-pruning can stunt growth. Never cut into the main stem.
Propagating Your Calathea
Propagate a Calathea ornata through division of the root ball. This should be done during repotting to limit disturbance to the sensitive plant. Gently divide root clumps with new growth into separate pots using a sterile knife. Keep soil moist and provide high humidity while new roots establish.
Repotting
Repot annually in the spring into a container one size larger. To avoid shock, keep root disturbance minimal and maintain the same soil level. Place a layer of potting mix in the new container before gently transferring the root ball into it. Only use fresh, sterile potting mix to prevent disease.
Identifying and Treating Pests
Check regularly for signs of common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale. Treat infestations immediately by manually removing pests, pruning affected areas, and using horticultural soap or neem oil. Maintaining optimal conditions will help prevent pests in the first place.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
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Curling leaves – Increase watering frequency. Plant is thirsty.
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Leaf spotting/browning – Adjust watering schedule and humidity. Plant may be too wet or dry.
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Leaves fading to yellow – Usually a sign of overwatering. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
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Slow growth – Fertilize regularly in the growing season and provide adequate bright, indirect light.
While temperamental, a well cared for Calathea ornata will reward you with its gorgeously pink-striped foliage. Provide bright, indirect light, consistent moisture, high humidity, warm temperatures, and protection from drafts. Fertilize regularly in the growing months and prune away damaged growth as needed. With the proper care, your Calathea pinstripe will thrive indoors, adding a dramatic tropical accent to your indoor plant collection.
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Temperature and Humidity
Keep this tropical plant in a place with moderate temperatures and lots of humidity. If your space is particularly dry, group your plant in with other plants in your collection to help create a more humid microclimate, or run a humidifier nearby to add moisture to the air.
Water
Water your Calathea ornata consistently so that the soil stays moist but not soggy. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can kill the plant. Avoid letting the soil dry out beyond the top inch or so between waterings.
Calathea Ornata: Addy’s Tips for Beginners (Pinstripe Calathea)
FAQ
How often should I water a calathea ornata?
How often should you water a calathea? Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.
How do I know if my Calathea is happy?
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Patch Plantshttps://www.patchplants.comComplete guide to calathea care – Patch PlantsAt night, your calathea will close its leaves, almost like it’s praying, then open them up again during the day. Look closely and you’ll notice your calathea’s …
Should I cut brown leaves off Calathea?
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Calatheas need healthy leaves for photosynthesis:Brown leaves cannot produce energy for the plant, and they can even compete with healthy leaves for resources.
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Removing brown leaves improves the plant’s health:By removing dead or dying tissue, you allow the Calathea to focus its energy on new, healthy growth.
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Timing is important:Prune in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing, or in winter for maintenance.
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Be careful when pruning:Don’t remove more than 20% of the plant’s foliage at once, as this can shock the Calathea.
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Use clean tools:Sterilize your scissors or pruning shears before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
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Cut at a 45-degree angle:This encourages proper healing and reduces the risk of infection.
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Consider the cause:If you have multiple brown leaves, it might be a sign of an underlying issue like low humidity, overwatering, or improper lighting. Addressing these issues can help prevent future browning.