Calathea Ornata or pinstripe plant is a beautiful plant sporting pink to purple stripes on its wide green leaves. Pinstripes can be a finicky plant to grow. Often, we struggle to keep it in tip-top shape, not to mention keeping it alive.
There exist more than 300 species of Calathea plants, with numerous hybrids all around the globe. Native to the West Indies, Africa, Central, and South America, their value lies in its oval-shaped, dramatic green leaves.
On average, pinstripe plant grows to nearly 2 feet in height and 2 feet in width, making them excellent for an indoor spectacle. Calathea plants are often referred to as living plants because they can open and close their leaves according to changes in the intensity of light.
Such movement occurs because a joint between the stem and leaf gets activated when light intensity fluctuates.
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Genus Name |
Calathea ornata |
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Plant Type |
perennial, herbaceous, indoor |
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Height |
3 ft |
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Breath |
3 ft wide |
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Foliage color |
shiny green leaves, pink to purple striped flowers |
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Especially known for |
wide, oblong leaves, makes photosensitive movements |
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Propagation method |
division |
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Caring For Your Calathea Ornata
Pin Stripe Prayer Plant – Calathea Ornata
To keep your Calathea happy, place it in indirect sunshine at a temperature range of 65°F (18°C) to 85°F (29°C). Why so? Since it is native to the tropical rainforest floor, the plant has received indirect sunlight virtually all its life.
Avoid excessive temperatures or light exposure as they cause the leaf burn and the pink streaks to fade away. High humidity is a critical requirement for this equatorial plant as it tries to adjust to its native environment.
Place the pinstripe plant in damp soils and ensure that roots receive ample water because it is unfamiliar with drought conditions.
Fertilize every month with a houseplant fertilizer using 50% of the recommended amount during the growing period (spring and summer).
Lighting
Whenever you hear tropical, think light. Rightly so, Calathea should be placed at a location where it can receive copious amounts of bright but screened sunlight during the day. Positioning them in a south- or west-facing window will make them happy and bright. Exposure to direct sunlight for an extended period will cause the beautiful leaves to fade.
Soil
Ornata is a moisture lover. Find a soil that holds most of its water so that you don’t have to replenish with water too often. Since the soil has to be moist at all times, get a soil type that breathes well when moist. Heavy compact soil may suffocate the plant as air supply to the roots will be cut off. Soils with larger chunks retain water and provide ample aeration. Peat-based potting is ideal. Two parts of peat to one part of perlite should set it up nicely.
Water Temperature
Ornata species of the Calathea loathe cold environments due to their tropical origins. Water temperature should be between 65°F (18°C) to 80°F (26°C). Temperatures above or below this range can result in the bunching up of leaves.
Pruning and Propagating If Needed
Pruning exercise is a very simple process. Cut the leaf with a pair of scissors or with a sharp knife near the stem and remove the damaged leaf. Afterward, your plant will turn its sights to facilitating new leaves instead of trying to revive dead ones.
Pinstripe is propagated through the division approach, where you divide the cluster of leaves with roots when it’s time to repot. To facilitate new growth, cover the plant and pot with polythene. Once new development springs up, take away the polythene.
How to Prepare Calathea Ornata for Winter
American Plant Exchange Calathea Ornata Pinstripe Real Live Plant 6″ Pot
Moisture-loving calathea stays dormant during wintertime. Strongly consider cutting back on the water. Don’t let the soil be completely arid and water anytime it appears wilted.
Winter care for the prayer plant, as calathea is often called, involves preserving the plant in a warm room within temps of 15°C (60°F) to 20°C (70°F). In all that you do, don’t allow the temperature to fall below 59°F, and keep the plant close to windy windows or doors.
Common Calathea Ornata Pests and Disease
Pinstripes receive attacks from a few pests, such as spider mites. To control vermin, clean the leaves with a combination of dish soap and water in a spray canister – an action that suffocates the pests on the leaves. Wipe the leaves, and you’re safe for several days.
Final Thoughts
As a houseplant, Calathea adds verve to your house, improving its comfortability and visual impression. Despite its tropical beauty, it can be a stubborn plant. But, with the guides we’ve fed you, you should rest assured knowing that your plant is a scene-stealer.
A yellow or orange-colored pot would greatly complement the plant’s purple underside. Tap into its air-purifying properties and improve your wellbeing with the pinstripe.
Life is Better When You Garden™
- The Calathea Ornata is a perennial plant that is part of the family known as the prayer plants or the Maranta family.
- The plant is known for its large leaves that have a distinctive pattern and effervescent colors.
- Calathea Ornata is a plant that is native to South America and seen in many tropical climates such as Thailand. There are several members of the same family and they are all known for their large leaves, all of which have patterns that are extremely noticeable whilst their colors are stunning.
- The leaf of the Pin-Stripe Calathea grows at the end of long stems that require the right care and location in order to continue looking as healthy as possible. If kept indoors the plant will not grow much larger than 2ft wide or 2ft tall.
- This is a plant that looks attractive indoors but it is also possible to keep outdoors and can bring many different areas to life such as patio’s, porches and decking. It can also be planted in beds and borders. Due to its foliage, this is a superb plant to put among other plants that have large foliage.
