You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!
The Calathea family is vast and contains around 300 different kinds of Calathea! This blog will cover Calathea Beauty Star. A sibling of Calathea Ornata, these plants share very similar markings and coloration. Dark green leaves with pointed tips are striped with pink and white coloring that will fade to completely white as they age, and the undersides are a dark reddish purple. As with many Calathea plants, Beauty Star will grow to be about two feet high and wide indoors, and is not likely to flower indoors.
Calathea Beauty Star likes bright, indirect light. If your light is too strong, consider a translucent curtain to further filter the light. Brown spots on the leaves usually indicate that the light source is too strong (whereas brown edges usually indicate that the plant needs more humidity). The best place for a Calthea is in a well-lit bathroom where temperatures are warm and the air is often humid.
Plant Calathea Beauty Star in soil that will evenly retain moisture. African Violet soil is a good option for this calathea plant which particularly prefers a more moist soil than some calatheas. Water Calathea Beauty Star when the top inch of soil is dry. Watering too soon can create a breeding ground for black gnats and contribute to root rot. Use distilled or rain water for this fluoride-sensitive plant, and use the Drench and Drain method when watering. Allow the water to flow out of the bottom of the pot and don’t let the pot sit in standing water. If your pot does not have adequate drainage, use a Moisture Meter before and during watering to accurately determine the moisture level of the soil at the bottom of the pot. If you over water and your pot does not have adequate drainage, tip the pot gently to the side in order to let excess water gently drain away without dislodging the plant or soil.
Keep Calathea Beauty star away from drafts and vents. As with other Calathea plants, Beauty Star is considered to be pet and people safe, but always double check for safety with a professional. When it’s happy, Calathea Beauty Star is likely to be air cleaning. Calathea isn’t the easiest plant to care for, but it’s not the hardest either. If you’re accustomed to plants that require regular attention and care, Calathea is a great plant for you. It’s also for you if you’re used to beginner level plants but want to try your hand at an intermediate level plant as they’re not as rare as some intermediate level plants.
Don’t forget to save our Plant Parent Chalkboard photo for a quick reference later on!
Happy Plant Parenting!
