Calathea ornata is a houseplant with large dark green glossy leaves and striking white or pink stripes. Sometimes called the Pinstripe Calathea, this perennial evergreen plant grows in tropical regions of the world. Its large attractive stripy pink leaves make the calathea ornata a beautiful plant that livens up any room or office. Calatheas are houseplants that are easy to care for and thrive indoors.
How to Care for Calathea Ornata (Pinstripe Plant)
Place the houseplant in bright, indirect light and grow in well-draining, peat-based potting mix to care for a calathea ornata. With high humidity, keep the room temperature between 65 and 80°F (18 – 27°C). Water pinstripe plants fertilize every four weeks throughout the growing season and regularly water the soil.
What is a Pinstripe Plant?
Calathea ornata is one of the largest species, and there are over 300 cultivars available. Calatheas are closely connected to prayer plants (marantas) and belong to the Marantaceae family. Since they raise their leaves at night, calatheas are occasionally referred to as prayer plants.
Calathea plants’ leaves fold upward at the base of the stem in the evening, appearing to shelter themselves from praying by folding their leaves up. Nyctinasty is the name for this process.
When something in the environment is amiss, the leaves of calatheas occasionally curl up from the outer margins inward to the central vein. Keep your calathea plant in warm, humid conditions and away from direct sunlight to prevent leaf curl. Make sure your houseplant is in a moist environment. Plants of the pinstripe calathea species grow to be about 2 feet (60 cm) tall and form clumps. Thin white or pink lines run through their glossy green leaves.
The cultivars ‘Sanderiana’ and ‘Roseo lineata’ are two distinct types of calathea ornata plants. The pink or white streaks radiating out from the core spine of the leaf give this plant its popular name of “pinstripe plants.” Pinstripe plants have purple or burgundy undersides, similar to other calathea species.
Despite the fact that pinstripe plants seldom bloom indoors, their stunning pink or white fish-bone designs are what make this house plant so popular. As a colorful tropical houseplant, these large houseplants make a bold statement.
Other Types of Calathea
Zebra plant (C. zebra) is depicted from left to right in the photograph. Rattlesnake plant (C. sebrina) Peacock plants (C. lancifolia) and lanceleaf plant One of the several species of calatheas available is the calathea ornata (pinstripe plant). Leaves of Calathea houseplants may be ovate or lanceolate in shape. The leaves of many species are also covered in vivid green, cream, and pink designs.
Peacock Calathea (C. peckhami) is a popular variety of calatheas. ‘Rattlesnake plant’ (C. makoyana) has light green foliage and a purple underside. The dottie (C. lancifolia) has lance-shaped green leaves with black markings, and the dottie is a dwarf form of C. Dark purple leaves with pink variegation (roseopicta)
Calathea Ornata Care Advice
It is simple to maintain pinstripe plants at home. They do, however, have certain needs that must be met. When it comes to the calathea ornata species, obtaining the watering and humidity right is extremely important. This tropical houseplant care guide offers all of the necessary information on caring for calathea ornata.
Calathea Ornata Light Requirements
Place a pinstripe plant in a bright location with plenty of indirect sunlight and Calathea ornata will thrive. The leaves will stay glossy and the pink stripes will stay bright if this houseplant is grown in low light. Your plant needs between 6 and 8 hours of light per day for optimum growth.
A calathea ornata should be placed in an east- or west-facing room with a window nearby. Keep your plant away from the window or shade it from direct sunlight if you have it in a south-facing room. As the calathea plant develops, the creamy-white pinstripes turn pink in bright light.
Move the plant to a more shaded location, away from direct sunlight, if you notice that the leaves are exhibiting symptoms of scorching. Calatheas will grow outdoors if you live in zones 10 and 11. They’re great as partial shade ground cover plants due to their huge leaves.
If you reside in a temperate environment, you may also relocate a calathea ornata outside during the summer. If the temperature drops below 60°F (15°C), remember to bring the fragile plant inside.
How to Water a Pinstripe Plant (Calathea Ornata)
Water calathea ornata regularly in the growing season and less frequently in the winter to keep it healthy. When the soil is partly dry, you’ll know that a pinstripe plant needs watering. When the top 1″ (2.5 cm) of soil has dried out, give deep watering. How should you watering a calathea houseplant? Fill the soil enough to drain through the bottom until it is saturated. You can put your calathea back in its sunny area after the water has stopped dripping.
As a result, press the pot’s soil gently. You may know it’s time to water your topical houseplant if it’s dry and no moisture seeps up. Several factors influence how often you water. In the summer, for example, you’ll need to water more often than in the winter.
Not letting the soil become soggy or too dry is the best care tip for watering a calathea ornata. Root rot and various fungal or bacterial illnesses may result from too much moisture in the soil. The leaves become withered and crinkly when the soil completely dries out. Watering a calathea ornata should be done at room temperature. The insufficient water keeps the plant healthy and prevents it from being shocked.
Calathea Ornata: Temperature
Pinstripe plants thrive in warm rooms, hence typical room temperatures are sufficient. The optimal growing condition will be created by keeping the temperature constant between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C). Caring for these plants should be simple as long as they get enough indirect light and are maintained at room temperature.
In hot summers or frigid winters, the challenge of keeping your calathea ornata healthy arises. Air temperature and humidity may be quickly changed by turning on the air conditioning or heating. In the summer, or when there are open windows in the winter, keep calatheas away from cold drafts. Also, make sure your houseplants are far away from direct heat when you turn on the household heating.
Humidity Requirements for Calathea Ornata
You should mist a calathea daily to maintain optimal humidity, and calatheas prefer moist conditions. A humidifier or setting your plant pot on a pebble tray with water are two other ways to keep the air moist. You should spray your pinstripe plant more often during the winter.
The humidity level in typical rooms is less than 50%, which is too dry for calatheas. Your calathea ornata leaves may turn brown on the edges if the environment is too dry. Updating humidity through over-watering is one of the common mistakes made with calatheas. Remember to lightly spray the leaves rather than watering them excessively.
Use a pebble tray instead of misting the leaves every day if you don’t have time to do it twice. Fill a small tray with pebbles to create the greatest amount of humidity. Make sure the dish is halfway up the stones before adding enough water. On the pebbles, place your calathea ornata.
The leaves will stay moist thanks to the evaporating water. Never put your calathea ornata pink plant pot in direct contact with water. If the roots are too wet, your calathea may die.
The Best Soil for Growing Calathea Pinstripe Plants
Calatheas thrive in soil that is well-drained but retains some moisture. This is the best pinstripe potting mixture: two parts peat moss, two parts perlite, and one part potting soil. Excess water drains while essential nutrients are retained in this sort of aerated potting media. African violet potting mix is recommended if you want to buy appropriate calathea pinstripe potting soil.
A layer of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot can help the soil drain better. The soil is aerated by these stones. This tip not only assists with drainage, but also enables soil nutrients to nourish healthy houseplants. It’s also a good idea to skip putting stones on top of the soil.
It prevents evaporation, but it can help keep the potting mix moist. If there is not enough humidity, the lack of moisture from the soil may cause leaves to change color. You may grow calathea ornata in heavier soil, but you’ll need to change the watering schedule.
Fertilizer to Care for Calathea Ornata
Weak houseplant food every four weeks is all that a pink pinstripe calathea requires. When growing indoors, calatheas have minimal feeding needs. The green and pink leaves will stay looking healthy and lively by occasionally supplying balanced nutrients. To avoid overfeeding, dilute a regular houseplant fertilizer to half strength. From April through October, your calathea should be fed monthly. Houseplants bloom during these months.
When caring for plants in the Marantaceae family, it’s a common mistake to overfertilize them. In this regard, always err on the side of caution by not feeding too often. Flush the soil to eliminate excess mineral salts if you notice that leaves are beginning to yellow or that stems are wilting. Pour enough water into the pot until it drains out at the bottom.
How to Repot a Pinstripe Calathea Plant
Calathea pinstripe plants need to be repotted every two years and may grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. Choose a pot that’s wider than the current container by 1″ to 2″ (2.5 cm). When your pink pinstripe plant begins to grow in the spring, is the best time to transfer it. A pot packed with roots stunts growth and prevents proper soil drainage, so repotting is important for preventing the plant from becoming rootbound.
Gently remove your lovely calathea ornata from its pot to repot it. Remove any excess soil from the roots and check for indications of deterioration, such as rot. It’s best to prune when necessary. Three or four drainage holes should be present in the bottom of the container.
Half-fill the container with new, fresh calathea potting mix and place a layer of clay pebbles on the bottom. Return your calathea to the same level as it was before. Fill with potting soil and gently press down. Water should be thoroughly cleaned and kept in a sunny spot.
Calathea Ornata Care: Pruning Tips
Calatheas need very little maintenance and only receive aesthetic maintenance. Calathea ornata, a bushy plant with large striped leaves, is a naturally bushy species. Trimming off brown sections of the foliage is all that is required. Dead or yellow leaves should also be pruned away.
Yellowing leaves could be symptoms of common calathea issues, even if they are just a few here and there. You’ll discover how to care for a calathea with yellow leaves at the conclusion of the article.
How to Propagate Calathea Ornata
It is straightforward to grow these lovely house plants with pink stripes. Root division is the most effective way to establish new pinstripe calatheas. Calatheas do not spread well from stem cuttings rooted in water, unlike their cousins marantas (prayer plants). When you repot your plant in the spring, is the best time to propagate it.
Prepare a new pot with a moist potting mix to establish a calathea. Shake all the soil off the roots of the calathea before removing it from its pot. Leaving a few stems with leaves on each half, divide the root segments. Next, follow the potting instructions above to place the separated plant in its new pot.
To help raise moisture levels, you can also cover the planted calathea with plastic. You may remove the cover and return it to a bright area with indirect sunlight once the new plant starts growing.
Are Calathea Ornata Plants Toxic?
Calathea ornata plants are safe for dogs, cats, and humans, according to the good news. Other common pets, such as birds, rats, and rabbits, have not been documented to have negative reactions after eating calatheas leaves.
Calathea Ornata Flowers
The striped leaves and pink lines of Calathea ornata houseplants are prized. Calatheas rarely, if ever, flower indoors due to the lack of an suitable environment. Pinstripe calatheas produce little clusters of orange blooms in their natural environment in the tropics. The beautiful pink striped leafy foliage on calathea ornata plants is even more spectacular than the orangey-colored blossoms in the wild.
Calathea Ornata Care Advice: Pest and Diseases
Common houseplant pests and diseases are not found on pinstripe plants. Spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can all affect these houseplants at times. Calathea ornata also responds poorly to fungal diseases if you get moisture levels wrong. How do you treat a calathea infested with insects? To eliminate insects from your calathea ornata, apply a neem oil organic solution.
Learn more about how to get rid of aphids and other pests on your pinstripe plant using natural methods. Too much moisture is the leading cause of bacterial and fungal infections. Pseudomonas blight or fusarium fungal diseases may be caused by too much moisture. It is crucial to dig all the soil from the roots, sterilize the pot, and repot in fresh sterile soil if you believe your plant is sick.
Why Does Your Calathea Pink Pinstripe Plant Have Yellow Leaves?
The color of your calathea pinstripe plant’s leaves may have changed for a variety of reasons. The following are some of the most prevalent reasons:
- Old leaves It’s possible to prune it back and turn it yellow. There’s nothing to be worried about with these yellow leaves.
- Watering issues Calathea ornata leaves that turn yellow are most likely due to this reason. Adjust your watering schedule as necessary after checking the soil for moisture.
- Too much sunlight Leaf scorch, which causes yellow or brown patches, is also a frequent cause of leaf scorch. Move the plant from the sun’s rays as much as possible.
- Over-feeding Calathea leaves may be yellowened by turning them. Flush the soil with a lot of water and don’t feed your plant for a few weeks to address this issue.