With its vibrant pink-striped leaves, Calathea roseopicta is one of the most decorative prayer plants. This tropical houseplant thrives with proper care that mimics its native humid rainforest environment Follow this comprehensive guide to provide the ideal growing conditions for your Calathea roseopicta
Light Requirements
Calathea roseopicta prefers medium to bright indirect sunlight. Place it near an east or west-facing window where it will receive gentle morning or evening sun. Sheer curtains can filter direct rays. Avoid direct southern exposure which can burn leaves.
Signs of insufficient light are faded colors and slower growth. If colors look washed out, move the plant closer to a window or light source. Insufficient light also makes the plant more prone to pests and diseases.
Soil Needs
Use a rich, well-draining potting mix amended with peat moss or coconut coir to help retain moisture. You can make your own by blending 1 part peat or coir, 1 part compost, and 1 part perlite. Or use an all-purpose potting soil with added perlite or vermiculite for drainage.
The soil should be moist but not soggy wet Allow the top 1-2 inches to dry between waterings Calathea roseopicta is sensitive to both under and over-watering.
Ideal Temperature
Calathea roseopicta thrives in warm temperatures between 70-80°F. Anything below 60°F can damage the plant. Cool drafts and rapid temperature drops can also cause issues.
In summer, temperatures above 80°F are fine as long as humidity is increased In winter, you may need a small greenhouse or heat source like a grow light to maintain ideal warmth
Humidity Needs
This tropical rainforest native prefers 50% humidity or higher. Use a humidifier, pebble tray, or humidity dome to increase moisture in the air. Group plants together to create a self-contained humid microclimate.
Misting leaves directly does not effectively increase humidity. However, leaves can be gently wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep them clean.
Watering Frequency
Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry to the touch. Be sure excess water drains out the bottom of pots after watering. Never let pots sit in saucers of water, which leads to root rot.
Filtered or distilled water is best since tap water contains minerals that can build up in the soil. Brown leaf tips are often a sign of tap water use.
Fertilizer Recommendations
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Look for a formula marked as suitable for tropical foliage plants. Stop fertilizing by late summer/early fall.
If using compost or slow-release fertilizer pellets, supplement with liquid feedings every 4-6 weeks for best results. Rinse salt buildup from leaves.
Pruning Needs
Remove spent leaves and spent flower stems by cutting them at the base of the plant. This encourages new growth. You can trim off damaged portions of leaves if desired.
Divide overgrown clumps every 2-3 years. Do this in spring by gently separating rooted shoots and replanting in fresh soil. Discard the original rootball.
How to Propagate
Propagate by division in early spring before new growth begins. Gently separate out side shoots with roots attached and repot into small containers using fresh potting mix. Keep warm and humid while new roots establish.
You can also try stem cuttings in spring and summer. Use a sterile, sharp knife or pruners. Cut 4-6 inch pieces just below a node and remove lower leaves. Stick into propagation mix and enclose in a plastic bag or terrarium until rooted.
Common Pests
Check regularly for small insects like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Be sure to isolate affected plants.
Sticky traps can capture adult fungus gnats. Allow soil to dry between waterings to deter these pests.
Diseases to Watch For
Root rot from overwatering is common. Allow more time between waterings and discard affected plants to prevent spread.
Leaf spot can occur if water sits on leaves. Prune affected areas and space plants for better airflow.
Troubleshooting Problems
Curled leaves – Low humidity. Increase humidity level around plant.
Brown leaf tips – Tap water or excess fertilizer. Use filtered water and flush soil regularly.
Brown spots – Sunburn. Move plant further from direct light source.
Drooping leaves – Underwatering. Check soil and water when partially dry.
Yellow leaves – Overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
With the proper care, your Calathea roseopicta will thrive for years. Consistent humidity, filtered light, warm temperatures and attentive watering will keep it healthy and vibrant.
What’s a Calathea Roseopicta?
In the Brazilian rainforest, Calathea roseopicta plants grow naturally under the canopy. They are in the prayer plant family.
The broad, tropical leaves of this plant have a beautiful feathery pattern of pink and fuchsia that looks like it was painted by hand on the dark green leaves. As this plant ages, its colored stripes tend to fade and whiten.
When the plant folds up at night, you can see the bright purple-red undersides of the leaves.
The calathea roseopicta grows from a rhizome and tends to have a clumping growth habit. It is also an evergreen, so you can enjoy its beautiful colors year-round.
Calathea roseopicta hybrids have different leaf shapes, colors, and patterns, but their feathery border pattern is what makes them stand out.
- Rosa ‘Rosy’: The leaves of this calathea variety are bright pink-brush silver and have a dark green edge around them.
- Medallion Calathea roseopicta: This classic type has big, dark green leaves with deep purple backs that give it a unique tropical look.
- Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie’: This type has stunning dark green leaves with pretty pink highlights around the edges.
The calathea roseopicta originates in the humid forest floor of the headwaters in Brazil. So to help your plant thrive, its environment must reflect its origins.
You can grow this show-stopping calathea plant at home with just a little care, even though some people say it’s hard to take care of.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about calathea roseopicta care.
Calatheas, in general, need plenty of filtered light.
Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to fade and lose their markings.
Calathea roseopicta plants can grow in shady spots, but the leaves will be healthier if they get more bright indirect light.
This calathea plant (and all calathea plants, for that matter) must be kept in evenly damp soil. To keep the plant healthy, don’t let the soil get too wet. This can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
To avoid overwatering your plant, poke a finger into the soil to check the plant’s moisture levels.
High humidity levels are a must for this tropical houseplant.
You can mist your plant to improve its humidity levels. You can also put it near the shower or a humidifier to raise the humidity to a healthy level (above 60%).
Because calatheas like it warm, make sure your plant does well by keeping the temperature between 64 and 85ºF.
Ensure your plant has decent ventilation and avoid droughts, drafty windows, and sudden temperature changes and drafts.
This plant’s soil must be well-draining, spongy, and rich in organic matter.
While the calathea roseopicta demands consistent moisture, it does not tolerate wet soil.
A commercial soil mixture should work fine, but you can add ⅓ perlite to improve the soil’s drainage.
Adding nutrient-rich compost to the soil when repotting this calathea plant is the easiest way to feed it. This should keep it going all through the growing season.
If the tips of your plant’s leaves are turning brown, it’s probably because fertilizer salts have built up in the soil.
To fix this, run a steady stream of water over the soil for 10 minutes. If possible, use distilled water instead of tap water.
A healthy calathea roseopicta is very easy to propagate by division.
The best time to divide a calathea roseopicta is when it has many young plantlets. Here’s how to do it:
- Gently take the plant off the pot.
- Carefully separate the plant’s clumps (you can use clean scissors for this). Give each new plant roots and at least one leaf.
- Plant in a small, tight pot with soil that has the same ingredients as the parent plant.
- Keep the soil evenly moist, and give the new plant light that has been filtered.
- If the humidity in the area is low, put clear plastic around the plant to protect it.
- Once you see new growth, slowly take down any tenting and keep giving it regular care.
Everything You Need To Know About Calathea Roseopicta Plant
FAQ
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