The Calathea genus is known for it’s beautiful foliage with striking and bold patterns. Calathea leaves are oval, grow on long stalks, and move throughout the day in response to temperature and light. Native to Africa, Central and South America, calatheas are found in tropical climates and require high humidity and indirect sunlight to thrive.
Calathea ornata, also known as the ‘Pinstripe Plant’ or ‘Femme Fatale’, is a member of the prayer plant family. It is known for it’s pink and white striped leaf tops with purple undersides. Calatheas ornata care is tricky because they tend to be finicky. With the following tips, your calathea will thrive!
| Name | Calathea Ornata “Pinstripe plant”, “Pinstripe Calathea”, “Femme Fatale” |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sun (excess sunlight burns the leaves) |
| Water | Keep the soil moist If the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, it is time to water |
| Soil | Well-draining soil (African violet soil works well) |
| Temperature | Warm temperatures with high humidity Not cold hardy |
| Propagation | Propagated by plant division Difficult to propagate |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Calathea Ornata Care:
Calathea ornata sun
Calathea require bright, indirect sunlight. Do not place your calathea in direct light because that causes the leaves to burn or fade in color. Calathea leaves move around and change angles with the sun throughout the day, so don’t be surprised if you see the leaves dancing around.
East or West-facing windows are best for Calathea ornata because they provide bright, indirect light. Avoid South-facing windows because their light is quite bright. Rotate the plant every few days so each side receives an equal amount of sunlight and grows evenly. Dust off your plant’s leaves every few days so that it is able to photosynthesize properly.
If you notice your once vibrant calathea leaves are fading in color, move it to a shadier spot and farther away from the window. Excess sunlight fades the leaf patterns.
Calathea soil type
For proper calathea ornata care, ensure it is planted in a well-draining soil. African violet pottling soil, or a peat-based soil with perlite mixed in would are good choices.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your calathea once a month in the spring and summer with diluted fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Signs of over fertilization include leaves that yellow, droop or wilt. Unfortunately, these can also be signs of other problems, so be cautious and check if your calathea is receiving proper sun, water and humidity as well if you believe you are not over fertilizing.
Light green leaves signal a need for more fertilizer.
Planting calathea
Calathea grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Their leaves are about 6 to 9 inches long. They are slow growers and do not require frequent repotting (once every 1 to 2 years will be fine). When planting, use a pot with a drainage hole. Plain terracotta pots are best for Calathea ornata because they improve air circulation for the roots.
When moving your calathea ornata to a new pot, choose only a marginally larger container (about 1 to 2 inches larger than the current pot), because excess potting soil can easily become waterlogged, leading to root rot.
Pruning
Calatheas do not require regular pruning. Just cut off the outer, older leaves that have yellowed or browned to improve your houseplant’s appearance. Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors, cut where the leaf joins the stalk.
Calathea pinstripe watering
Native to humid environments, calathea enjoy moist (but not soaking wet) soil during the spring and summer times. Check the moisture of the top 1 to 2 inches of soil before watering- if it is dry, your calathea needs to be watered. In the winter, decrease your watering frequency slightly.
If you notice the leaves turning brown of yellow, increase your watering frequency. Calathea curl their leaves when they are thirsty and unfurl after a drink.
Watering calathea is a tricky balance. While calathea houseplants like moist soil, take care not to water too often as that can cause root rot. Make sure the plant does not sit in water for a long period of time. Root rot leads to brown, mushy, drooping stems and leaves. Once a calathea has root rot, it is very difficult to fix.
Calathea are quite sensitive to water quality. Watering with hard, soft or fluoridated tap water may lead to leaf curling or browning. The best water to use is room temperature distilled water, however, this is not always practical.
If you do not have distilled water, pour your tap water into a bowl and let it sit overnight before watering. This allows chlorine and fluoride in the water to evaporate, and bring the water to room temperature. You could also collect rainwater, if you live somewhere with frequent rains.
When watering, water at the base of the soil, and make sure water does not sit on the leaves for too long because it could lead to fungal disease. If you see large water droplets sitting on the leaves, wipe them off with a tissue.
Calathea propagation
Calatheas can be propagated by plant division during repotting. Calathea propagation can be difficult and requires extra care.
Plant Division
When your calathea has grown too large for it’s pot, gently remove it, clean the soil off, and separate the roots into sections using your fingers. Plant these new sections into pots that are slightly bigger than the new root clumps. Do not choose a pot that is too big because it retains extra water and can cause your houseplant’s roots to drown.
Use the same type of soil that the plant was previously in when planting in the new pots. Moisten the soil slightly before placing in the new plants.
Keep the new divisions in a warm, humid area that receives indirect sunlight.
Temperature
Native to rainforests, it is no surprise that calathea thrive in hot, humid climates. Their optimal temperature is from 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C).
Calathea ornata are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and are not cold hardy. Do not keep them at temperatures below 55 °F (13 °C). Avoid placing your houseplant near air conditioning vents or a window where it would receive a cold draft. If temperatures are too cold or too hot, the calathea ornata’s leaves may curl.
If the air is too dry, the leaf edges will brown and dry out. To increase humidity, mist the soil every few days with a spray bottle, keep a humidifier in the room, or place a tray of water nearby. As the water evaporates, it increases the moisture in the room.
Calathea flowers
Calathea do not flower often if kept indoors. However, their strikingly patterned foliage is reason enough to keep them around.
Should I remove old blooms from my calathea?
Once the blooms have faded, remove the entire stalk right where it joins the base of the plant. This improves the appearance of your calathea and transition it’s energy into producing new foliage.
Toxicity
Calatheas are safe to grow around pets.
Common calathea pinstripe plant care problems
Pests
Unfortunately, calathea are susceptible to several pests, such as mealy bugs, spider mites, aphids and scale.
Signs of infestation include:
- White, cottony webbing
- Change in leaf shape and color
- Spots on the leaves
- Stunted growth
At soon as you spot any of these pests on your calathea, quarantine it away from any neighboring plants. Check all of your other plants for signs infestations, because these pests spread quickly. Pay special attention to the nooks and crannies of your plants because pests love those areas.
For the plants with signs of infestation, spray your plant with neem oil (don’t worry, neem oil does not harm your plant). Repeat this every other day to completely get rid of the infestation.
Another way to remove the infestation is by spraying the leaves with pressured water, such as from a faucet or hose. The plant will need to be sprayed multiple times.
It takes time to completely remove infestations, so do not become discouraged and continue to clean your plant often.
Diseases
Calathea are susceptible to diseases caused by bacteria and fungi.
Bacteria
Signs of infection with Pseudomonas bacteria include:
- Leaves that are turning dark green to black
- Tan lesions
- Spots on leaves
For treatment, remove the plant from it’s pot and replant in clean soil. Wash the pot with soap and warm water. Avoid overhead watering because that increases spread of the bacteria. A copper bactericide helps with disease control.
Unfortunately, several types of Pseudomonas bacteria can be fatal for calathea and the plant may not be salvageable.
Fungi
Fungal diseases are caused by overhead watering, when the surface of the leaf remains wet for too long. Signs of infection by fungi include wilting and yellowing leaves, or tan/brown circular lesions.
To treat fungal infection, repot your calathea in clean soil, and wash the container with soap and water. Discard the infected soil. Apply a copper fungicide treatment once a week. Avoid overhead watering, and water the soil directly at the base of the plant.
Why are my calathea leaves turning brown?
Brown tips occur quite frequently in calatheas and occur due to several reasons:
- The air is too dry
- Underwatering
- Overwatering
- Improper fertilization
- Poor water quality
You can trim the brown edges off your leaf with clean scissors- the leaves continue to grow after being cut. Increase the humidity of your room by adding a humidifier, or misting your plant more frequently with a spray bottle.
Ensure your calathea is in a well-draining soil mixture to avoid root rot, and fertilize once a month during the spring and summer.
For more information about brown leaves on Calathea, check out this guide
Why are my calathea leaves drooping?
Drooping calathea leaves are due to:
- Improper fertilization
- Improper watering
- Cold temperatures or exposure to drafts
Move the calathea to a warmer spot. Ensure that you are keeping the soil moist but not soaking wet, because root rot is irreversible.
Why are my calathea leaves turning yellow?
A few yellow leaves on the outside of the plant are normal, because calathea leaves yellow with age. These can be trimmed off with a clean pair of scissors at the base of the stem.
However, if the yellow leaves are newer and at the center of the plant, this is a sign your calathea is receiving improper conditions.
Yellow calathea leaves could be due to:
- Improper temperature
- Over watering
- Under watering
- Too much sunlight
- Improper fertilization
- Poor water quality
- Diseases
Water your calathea with room temperature water that has sat out for a few hours, because they are sensitive to hard water. Make sure you are keeping the soil moist, but not soaking wet, that the calathea is receiving indirect light, and that you are fertilizing appropriately once a month from spring to summer.
Why are my calathea leaves curling?
Calathea leaves tend to curl for any of the following reasons:
- The temperature is too hot or too cold
- It is under watered
- The air is too dry
To increase humidity, place your calathea ornata near a humidifier or mist the leaves with a spray bottle filled with distilled water (or tap water that has sat outside for a few hours). Keep your calathea in a room that is around 70 °F (21 °C), and do not leave it outside if it is too hot. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
For a full reasons of why calathea leaves curl, check this guide
Why does my calathea have pale leaves?
Calathea leaves pale due to:
- Under fertilization
- Excess sunlight
Ensure you are fertilizing your plant as explained in the fertilization section. Move your calathea ornata to a shadier spot in your house and farther away from the window.
In summary for calathea ornata (pinstripe) houseplant care…
Calatheas are tricky to take care of and require proper conditions to grow and maximize their foliage patterns. With high humidity, warm temperatures, indirect sunlight, and moist soil, your calathea will thrive.
Have any questions about calathea I did not answer? Let me know down below!
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