Plant Info
The Calathea Beauty Star is a gorgeous cultivar of the popular Pinstripe Calathea, or Calathea Ornata. The large, firm leaves still have the characteristic brush strokes of light pink fanning from the midrib to the margins of the leaves, but there are far fewer strokes, and they’re accompanied by watercolour patches of lighter green variegation behind them, which accentuates them in a wonderful way.
Common Name(s)
Calathea Beauty Star, Pinstripe Calathea
Botanical Name
Botanical Family
Marantaceae
Mature Size
Medium-sized and bushy; can over time grow to a few feet tall.
Lighting
Watering
Humidity
Adapts to household humidity, but strongly prefers higher
Soil Mix
Flowers
Small, often hidden
Hardiness
Tropical; keep above 15C/60F
Native Region
Calathea ornata is native to Colombia and Venezuela
Toxicity
Non-toxic to pets and people!
Calathea Beauty Star, like most calatheas, has a bit of a reputation — a very finicky reputation. All calatheas earn that reputation to some degree; relative to other calatheas, though, the Beauty Star is fairly hardy and easy to take care of.
You’ll need to keep on top of watering, and to keep humidity up by adding a humidifer or by creating a microclimate with other plants — but in return, you’ll be rewarded with one of the brightest-patterned calatheas out there!
A lot of people say that calatheas are sensitive to the chlorine in tap water; as far as I’m able to tell with the research I’ve done, this is a myth — the “acceptable” levels of chlorine or chloramine (usually chloramine in larger cities!) is an order of magnitude too low to adversely affect any plant, no matter how sensitive. If your edges are crisping, it’s more likely a watering or humidity issue rearing its head!
Calatheas are loved as low-light tolerant plants, and the Beauty Star is no exception; it can survive in practically any lighting situation you put it in, with the exception of direct, full sunlight — full sun will burn the Beauty Star’s delicate leaves.
Remember, though, that medium-bright indirect light will bring out the best colours in the patterns on the Beauty Star’s leaves! As well, as with all plants, brighter light will mean faster growth… and more watering needed!
Make sure to check out our general article on lighting!
Calatheas are very, very thirsty plants — and aren’t generally particularly forgiving plants if you slip up, getting brown tips and crispy edges at the first threat of a drought. Calathea Beauty Star is a bit better than most calatheas at giving you some leeway in its watering, but it’s still a calathea — don’t let the substrate dry out at all, or else you risk an angry plant. As soon as the top of the substrate is dry, you should add some more water. Depending on conditions, during the summer this could be as often as every other day.
Make sure to check out our general article on watering!
Calatheas are also extremely finicky about their humidity — you’ll want to make sure that it stays above average household humidity levels, and aim for at least 60%RH. The two best ways to do this are to create a microclimate by bunching it with other plants, or by running a humidifier. (Calathea Beauty Star would also work very well in a terrarium, though may outgrow it!)
Make sure to check out our general article on humidity – including a couple common myths!
You can use a pretty standard potting mix for your Calathea Beauty Star! It’s always a good idea to add a little bit of perlite, but that’s about all that needs to be added to the mix.
Suggestion: Start with 2 parts peat-based potting mix or coco coir, mix in 1 part perlite, and you’re done!
Don’t know why you’re adding these things? Check out our article on potting mixes!
Calathea Beauty Star is a cultivar of the common Pinstripe Calathea/Calathea Ornata.
Sadly, calatheas aren’t able to be propagated through cuttings the way a lot of plants are! Your best bet, if you want baby plants, is to divide a mature plant; use a sharp knife to separate the stems that you want to move to a new pot, ensuring both sections still have plenty of viable roots attached.
The most common issue for Calathea Beauty Star is related to underwatering, followed closely by humidity issues. That having been said, there’s a bit more bad news…
All houseplants are susceptible to pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, and more. Calatheas, though, are spider mite magnets. Check the undersides of your leaves frequently, and treat any suspected mites quickly to avoid losing leaves!
Yes! Calathea Beauty Star is fine in low light conditions, but can tolerate up to medium-bright.
Yes. Big time. Keep an eye out for them on the regular.
Complete Care Guide: Calathea Beauty Star
Complete Care Guide: Calathea Beauty Star
Plant Info
Care Guide
Types
Propagating
Common Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Care Guide
Types
Propagating
Common Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
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In this article, you’ll find…
Lighting
Watering
Humidity
Soil Needs
Take a look at this care guide as an infographic!
Lighting
Watering
Humidity
Soil Needs
Is Calathea Beauty Star a low-light plant?
Are Calathea Beauty Stars susceptible to spider mites?
Tags
- Aglaonema
- Alocasia
- Anthurium
- Apocynaceae
- Araceae
- Asparagaceae
- Calathea
- Croton
- Ctenanthe
- Dracaena
- Epipremnum
- Euphorbiaceae
- Hoya
- Marantaceae
- Philodendron
- Scindapsus
- Spathiphyllum
- Stromanthe
- Syngonium
- Zamioculcas
| Goeppertia ornata ‘Beauty Star’ | |