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Rose-painted calathea care
Goeppertia roseopicta · Marantaceae
Also called Calathea roseopicta, Calathea Medallion, Jungle rose.
A compact prayer-plant relative from the upper Amazon with broad, rounded leaves patterned in pink or silver over deep green, and purple undersides. Cultivars such as 'Medallion' and 'Dottie' are the forms usually sold. It needs high humidity, soft water and steady warmth to keep its leaves clean.
Light
Bright IndirectWatering
WeeklyDifficulty
HardPets
Non-toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
0.3-0.5 m
GrowthUnconfirmed
Moderate
Temperature
18-24 °C
Not below 16 °C
HumidityUnconfirmed
60% - 80%
Likes humid air
Soil pHUnconfirmed
5.5-6.5
Slightly acidic soil
Native to
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
Through the year
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, using rainwater or distilled water. In autumn and winter let the surface dry before watering again, but do not let the pot dry out.
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Spring
WeeklyStart feeding and repot into a slightly larger pot every few years.
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Summer
WeeklyKeep the soil evenly moist and the plant out of direct sun.
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Autumn
WeeklyStop feeding and let the surface dry a little between waterings.
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Winter
Every 2 weeksKeep it warm, away from drafts and radiators, and keep the humidity up.
Feeding
Every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. Stop from October to March.
Care tips
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Use soft water
Fluoride in tap water browns the leaves; rain or distilled water avoids it.
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Run a humidifier
Heated rooms are too dry for it; a humidifier or a wet pebble tray helps most in winter.
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Add perlite to the mix
A peaty mix with perlite or vermiculite stays moist without getting soggy.
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Keep water off the leaves
Water at the soil and keep air moving to prevent leaf spot.
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Divide to propagate
Split the clump at the roots when repotting in spring.
Common problems
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Brown tips and edges
What you seeLeaf tips and margins turn brown and crisp.
What to doRaise humidity above 60% and switch from tap water to rain or distilled water.
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Curling leaves
What you seeLeaves roll up along the midrib during the day.
What to doCheck the soil and water if it has dried; move it away from heaters.
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Faded colour
What you seeThe pink or silver pattern looks washed out.
What to doMove it to a brighter spot with no direct sun.
Pets
Is rose-painted calathea safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists the genus Calathea, where this species was long placed, as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Good to know
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Its leaves fold upward at dusk and open again in the morning, a movement called nyctinasty.
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Most plants on sale are named cultivars: 'Medallion' is patterned in silver with purple backs, while 'Dottie' is dark green with pink along the central vein and in feathered marks.
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Its leaf undersides are reddish purple, which shows when the leaves lift in the evening.
