Calathea Beauty Star Plant Care

Calathea Beauty Star has recently become one of the most popular houseplants. It is because of its top surface that it contains eye-catching green foliage.

While the undersides have a rich purple tint, its leaf veins give it a mysterious and robust appearance. The limbs, also strewn in all directions, provide an impression of being in the wild. If you love this outdoor plant, read more below on how to take care of it properly.

This plant came from the Marantaceae family, the family of prayer plants.

The table below is the basic information about the Calathea beauty star. 

calathea beauty star care card

Calathea Beauty Star Plant Care Basics

calathea beauty star plant

Soil 

Calathea beauty star plant needs a well-draining soil type that is very loose and has an excellent potting mix. The soil can be mixed with organic materials such as peat moss, perlite, gravel, vermiculite, orchid bark, humus, charcoal, etc.

There should be a soil mix or potting soil mix to aid the plant in achieving its required optimal condition to survive and thrive.

Watering

Water the calathea beauty star when the soil has dried out completely, roughly every 1-2 weeks, adjusting frequency based on light exposure.

Fill the pot halfway and drain excess water to prevent overly dry soil, which can damage leaves. Use rainwater or left-out tap water instead of direct tap water, as the chlorine in tap water can turn calathea leaves brown.

How much light does Beauty Star need?
calathea beauty star plant

Since the plant has been discovered and is naturally known to be thriving in the rainforest, they don’t need direct sunlight to light up itself. Calathea beauty stars thrive in lower light areas as they happily sit in their natural habitat- the rainforest, surrounded by different trees and plants.

Unlike any other plant that requires bright indirect light.

Direct sunlight will burn its beautiful foliage, so avoid it at all costs. However, early morning sunlight is appreciated by these gorgeous plants.

Temperature 

temperature requirement

Calatheas are tropical plants that thrive in temperatures between 60-85°F (16-30°C), which provides optimal conditions for them to survive and thrive.

Still, temperatures below 59°F or above 85°F can cause complications and stress, so they are best placed in partial outdoor shade during spring and summer and kept indoors during the cooler winter and fall months.

Humidity 

High humidity is essential for calatheas as tropical plants, and maintaining higher humidity levels provides optimal conditions that encourage healthy, thriving growth and makes propagation easier for the next year or two.

How often do we fertilize the Beauty star? 

Liquid fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer provides complete nutrition to help calatheas grow faster. It can solve nutritional deficiencies, but it takes time for the plant to absorb the nutrients fully, so organic fertilizers are preferred as they enrich the soil without harming the plant.

Fertilizers should be applied during the optimal seasons of spring and summer.

Plant Propagation

  • Calathea ornata (Beauty Star) can be propagated by dividing rhizomes
  • Each rhizome produces a few leaf stalks, making them easy to distinguish
  • To propagate:
  • Separate rhizomes from leaves and divide the mother plant into two or more
  • Repot each new plant in the proper soil mix, water thoroughly
  • Keep at ideal room temperature
  • Be patient – it takes time to recover and begin new growth after dividing

Potting

Repot the plant every two or three years when its roots have outgrown the pot. The plant itself does not like repotting annually, it will depend on how strong and how sturdy the star’s roots are.

When repotting the plant, ensure the new pot is slightly bigger than the previous one. This will give time for the roots to outgrow the pot again. However, do not re-pot it in a pot with too much space. This will not encourage the plant to grow well.

Calathea Beauty Star Varieties and Similar Plants

There are approximately 200 species of calathea plants. One of which is the beauty star.

Here are some examples of calathea species or varieties that have a bit of similarity to the calathea beauty star:

Calathea Orbifolia

calathea beauty star

This variety has 8-12 inches wide, leathery leaves with creamy and light-green stripes. It prefers humid conditions and well-draining soil. Keep it under partial shade. Calathea orbifolia can tolerate medium to low light settings.

Just place them outside occasionally under indirect light for more vibrant foliage.

Rattlesnake Calathea

rattlesnake calathea

Rattlesnake calathea features long, narrow, light-green foliage with edges in dark green marks. Place the plant in bright filtered light and use rich, well-draining soil.

Calathea Furry Feather

furry feather plant

Also known as velvet calathea, it has lance-shaped green foliage with velvety purple undersides on long burgundy stems. It is tolerant to lower light conditions.

Calathea Corona

corona calathea plant

Corona, or Rose painted calathea, has sizeable glossy foliage with bright green to creamy patterns. It thrives in well-draining soil. Protect the star from cold drafts.

Jungle Velvet

jungle velvet calathea plant

It grows in lance-shaped, velvety dark green leaves with light green patterns. Grow the star in highly humid conditions or use a humidifier.

Calathea Beauty Star Diseases & Pests

  • Spider mites are a common pest – look for sticky substances on leaves and stems
  • Various fungal and bacterial diseases can also affect calathea beauty star, especially root rot in wet conditions
  • Prevent pests and diseases with proper air circulation
  • Inspect closely for signs of pests on leaves and in soil every few days
  • Fungus gnats are another pest attracted to moist soil and plant nutrients
  • Managing moisture and allowing soil to dry out partly helps prevent fungus gnats

Frequently Asked Questions

Too little soil moisture might cause Calathea beauty star leaves to curl. Once the upper layer of soil is dry, make sure to water it. Maintain a high humidity level (at least 50%), avoid direct sunshine, and keep cold/drafts out of the way.

The leaves will damage more if they detest your water. They’ll turn yellow and perish over time. If you insist on using tap water, de-chlorinate it by letting it sit for a day or more before sprinkling. Your Calathea will be pleased if you use filtered water, rainwater, or even distilled water.

Several factors can cause the browning of Calathea leaves. If your Calathea receives too much light, the leaves will turn brown. It’s also possible that your water is mineral-rich, that you’re overwatering it, or that fertilizer salts are collecting in the soil. Change from chemical to organic fertilizer and use rain or filtered water.

You can now buy your Calathea Beauty Star here at Plantly! Buy it without any inconvenience and a good transaction process. Reach to us now!

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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