People love Calathea and Maranta, which are also known as “Prayer Plants,” for their beautiful patterns and lively leaf movements. These pretty plants do well in low to medium lighting and are often put in as the first plants because they are easy to care for and grow quickly.
But they can be picky; when they’re unhappy, their leaves turn yellow, there are brown spots, and the edges get crispy brown. If you are having these problems, this guide will help you figure out the most common causes and best ways to fix them.
With its striking pink and white striped foliage, the pinstripe calathea (Calathea ornata) is a popular houseplant. However, these tropical beauties can suddenly take a turn and start developing yellow, browning leaves. Why is my pinstripe calathea getting yellow leaves and how can I fix it? Read on to learn the common causes and solutions for yellowing leaves on calathea ornata.
Typical Reasons for Yellow Leaves on Pinstripe Calathea
Here are some common reasons pinstripe calathea leaves may start turning yellow:
Improper Watering
Irregular watering is the most common cause of yellowing calathea leaves. These plants need consistently moist soil but hate sitting in soggy soil. Underwatering causes leaves to yellow and crisp while overwatering leads to root rot. Stick to a thorough watering schedule and only water again once the top inch of soil has dried out.
Low Humidity
Pinstripe calathea is native to Brazilian rainforests and needs high humidity. Dry indoor air causes the leaves to dehydrate, yellow, and brown around the edges. Maintain 40-60% humidity. Group plants together, use a humidifier, or place pebble trays nearby.
Too Much Sun
Direct sunlight scorches calathea leaves. Even bright indirect light may be more than a pinstripe calathea can handle if acclimated to shadier spots. Move to a location with filtered sunlight or bright shade. Leaves that are already damaged won’t recover but new growth should appear healthy.
Temperature Stress
Temperatures below 60°F or rapid shifts in temperature can shock pinstripe calathea and cause leaves to yellow. Keep it in a warm room with temperatures between 65-80°F. Avoid drafts from windows, doors and vents.
Improper Fertilizing
Feeding too much or too little can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Fertilize pinstripe calathea monthly in spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer Leach excess salts by periodic thorough waterings if you overfed
Pests
Spider mites, aphids, thrips, and mealybugs can all feed on calathea plants Inspect for small bugs on the undersides of leaves or sticky honeydew. Treat infestations immediately to prevent lasting damage. Quarantine affected plants from healthy ones.
Disease
Fungal issues like leaf spot, bacterial blight, and root rot can occur if conditions are too wet. Improve airflow and water only when the soil surface is partly dry. Remove affected leaves, treat with a fungicide, and take steps to increase sunlight and air circulation.
How to Fix and Prevent Yellow Leaves on Pinstripe Calathea
If your pinstripe calathea has yellowing leaves, take these corrective steps:
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Assess watering and drainage. Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
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Check that humidity is 40% minimum. Increase through misting, pebble trays, humidifiers, or grouping with other plants.
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Move the plant away from drafty areas, heat vents, and direct sun. Calatheas prefer bright indirect light.
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Look for signs of pests like webbing or sticky spots. Treat with insecticidal soap if found.
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Prune off any severely yellow, brown, or mushy leaves and stems.
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Consider repotting if the roots are crowded or if you suspect root rot.
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Feed with a balanced fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing period.
With the proper care, your pinstripe calathea’s new leaves should unfurl without yellowing. Preventative care is key:
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Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Avoid oversaturation.
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Mist leaves, use pebble trays, and group plants to boost humidity.
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Keep in a warm spot (65°F to 80°F) away from hot or cold drafts.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant periodically for even growth.
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Keep a consistent fertilizing schedule and leach salts every few months.
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Inspect regularly for pests and quickly isolate affected plants.
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Prune offaging or damaged leaves which can invite disease.
Be Patient With Picky Pinstripe Calathea
While pinstripe calathea houseplants with their pink stripes are eye-catching, they are also finicky. With the right adjustments to your care routine though, those picky plants can thrive and keep churning out their beautifully variegated foliage. Just address any yellowing leaves promptly, provide steady humidity, filtered light, comfortable temperatures, and consistent watering. With some extra attention, your dramatic pinstripe calathea can be a worthwhile and long-lived houseplant.
Exposure to Excessive Sunlight
A common mistake in calathea and plant care is placing them in an environment they’re not suited for. Unlike many plants, Calatheas and Prayer Plants are not strong sun-seekers. If they are in direct sunlight or full spectrum lights for a long time, their leaves can turn yellow or brown and get crispy. Sometimes the damage occurs on the edges and sometimes covers other parts of the leaf.
Rapid changes in temperature, like those caused by cold drafts or direct heat sources, can be hard on Calatheas and Prayer Plants, making their leaves turn yellow.
The type and quality of soil play a significant role in plant health. When soil doesn’t drain well, it can hold on to water, which can cause root rot. Soil that doesn’t have enough nutrients can also slow growth. We do make our own rather lovely Maranta and Calathea Soil Mix!.
It takes a little extra work to take care of Calatheas and Prayer Plants, but it’s well worth it. Address any issues systematically, observing your plant’s reaction to each change. With patience and knowledge, you can make the best conditions for these beautiful plants to grow and learn what works and what doesn’t for them over time. It’s important to know that yellowing can be caused by more than one thing. The best way to fix it is to identify and fix all of the possible problems.
Why Are The Leaves Turning Yellow and Crispy?
Originating from humid, tropical rainforests, these plants have evolved to thrive in areas with high humidity levels. If the air is dry, like in many British homes, the leaves may start to look sick by getting brown and crispy edges. This happens often during the winter when heating your home dries out the air.
Plants, like all living beings, have a life cycle. It’s natural for older leaves to yellow, wither, and fall off, making way for fresh, new growth. It’s essential to differentiate between natural ageing and other plant care issues to address them effectively. Old leaves usually will gradually first turn into a pale yellow colour to finish with brown.
Watering plays a crucial role in plant care. Striking the right balance is not always easy but very important for Calathea and Prayer plants. Both too little and too much water can hurt plants. Too much water can cause these tropical beauties’ leaves to turn yellow, their edges to turn brown, and even root rot. Plants that are too wet usually have brown spots with a yellow line around them, while plants that are not getting enough water usually have brown edges.
Unfortunately, even when kept inside all year, our valuable plants can get pests from time to time. Spider mites love Calathea plants, but aphids, thrips, or mealybugs could also be killing the leaves. Faded leaves, with discolourations and spots as well as noticeable bugs on leaves, indicate pest infestation.
Tap water is often rich in minerals, salts, and chemicals like chlorine. When these things hit delicate plants like Calatheas and Prayer Plants, they can cause problems like leaf burn or yellowing.
