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Pinstripe Calathea Care
Calathea ornata
Basic Pinstripe Calathea Care
Part of the large Calathea family, the Pinstripe Calathea might just be our favourite! Below you will find our detailed Pinstripe Calathea care guide with everything you need to know to help your plant thrive.
Bright Indirect Light
I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves.
Water Moderately
I don't like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I'm after.
High Humidity
I thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often.
Potting Soil
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.
Detailed Pinstripe Calathea Care Information
Whether you're looking to make sure your Pinstripe Calathea is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.
They need bright but indirect light
As with most Calatheas, your plant loves bright light. However, it needs to be indirect otherwise the markings on the leaves will start to fade. They can deal with some medium light levels but growth will be slow and your plant may show some signs of unhappiness.
Keep the soil somewhat damp
Pinstripe Calatheas like to be watered little but often as they like to have some moisture in the soil. It’s important to get the right balance as you don’t want your plant sitting in puddles of water or dehydrated for too long.
High humidity is vital
One of the most common reasons why Pinstripe Calatheas struggle is low humidity. It’s important that you mist your plant regularly or place it in your bathroom or kitchen where natural humidity levels are higher (so long as those rooms have ample light).
Pinstripe Calatheas like warm temperatures
As they are native to the tropics, your Pinstripe Calathea will thrive in warmer environments. Keep them away from drafty windows or doors and monitor the temperature with a digital thermometer.
Fertilise only during the growth months
Although it’s not vital, you may choose to fertilise your Pinstripe Calathea. Use a water-soluble fertiliser every other month during spring and summer. Keep the dose quite weak by using less than the recommended amount on the bottle.
Pinstripe Calathea plants are safe for humans and pets
Pinstripe Calathea are not toxic to pets or humans so you don’t need to worry about having them around the house! Just another reason why we love Pinstripe Calatheas so much…
Propagate through division
The most successful method of propagating your Pinstripe Calathea is through division of the mother plant.
Stem and leaf cuttings unfortunately won’t produce any roots and new growth.
Pinstripe Calathea FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Pinstripe Calathea.
Pinstripe Calathea plant and all of the Calathea family are non-toxic and safe.
Luckily, Pinstripe Calatheas aren’t that rare and can now be found in many plant shops and nurseries across the world.
Whilst Pinstripe Calatheas love bright light, it must be indirect otherwise the pinstripe markings on the leaves will start to fade. They can deal with some medium light levels but growth will be slow and your plant may show some signs of unhappiness such as drooping and limp stems.
Pinstripe Calatheas aren’t the fastest growing houseplants out there so don’t expect there to constantly be new leaves. However, in the right environment, you should still see plenty of new growth in spring and summer.
Pinstripe Calathea Care Starter Kit
We've put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you'll need to take proper care of your Pinstripe Calathea.
Common Problems with your Pinstripe Calathea
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Brown leaves on a Pinstripe Calathea are often caused by a lack of humidity or water. Inspect the soil to see if there is any moisture and adjust care routine accordingly. The best way to increase humidity for your Pinstripe Calathea is to mist the leaves several times per week.
Too much bright direct sunlight will cause your Pinstripe Calathea’s leaves to fade and the pink stripes to turn white. Move your plant to a slightly shadier spot in your home to avoid any further damage.
Consistent overwatering may be causing the leaves and stems on your Pinstripe Calathea to wilt, droop down and even fall off. Take your plant out of its pot and inspect the potting mix and root system. Replace the soil if waterlogged and cut back on watering.
Some yellow leaves are natural and are simply caused by ageing. If you notice the lower leaves occasionally yellowing and falling off then this is nothing to worry about. However, if several leaves are turning yellow then it may be due to overwatering, direct sunlight or pests.
Simple Pinstripe Calathea Care Requirements
It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here's the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Calathea ornata.
These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come.
| Common Name | Pinstripe Calathea |
| Latin Name | Calathea ornata |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Water | Water Moderately |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Soil Type | Potting Soil |
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