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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Calathea Roseopicta Indoors

By: Melissa Pino Published: 18 Apr, 23

Calathea roseopicta, or the Rose-painted Calathea, is a true showstopper with velvety, dark green leaves accented by bright pink stripes and veins.

Native to the rainforests of South America, specifically Brazil, the Calatheas roseopicta is part of the prayer-plant family, with its large leaves facing up as if praying.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just starting, this gorgeous plant will surely bring a touch of the tropics to your home or office. With proper care, this prayer plant can stand out and give any space an extra pop of color.

Calathea roseopicta is a popular choice for indoor gardening due to its striking appearance and easy care requirements.

Read on for a complete guide on how to care for calathea roseopicta.

Botanical Name: Calathea Roseopicta

Common Name: Rose Painted Calathea

Family: Marantaceae

Plant Type: Foliage, vine, large type

Hardiness Zones: 11-12 USDA

Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight

Soil Type: Well-draining, peat-based potting mix.

Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Height: 20 to 50 inches tall.

Bloom Time: Anytime, but flowers are small

Flower Colors: Pink, purple, dark green

Native Area: Brazil

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

What’s a Calathea Roseopicta?

Calathea roseopicta plants grow naturally beneath the canopy of the Brazilian rainforest; they are also members of the prayer plant family.

This plant’s broad tropical foliage has a stunning feathery pattern of pink and fuchsia that looks like its hand-painted on dark green leaves. As this plant ages, its colored stripes tend to fade and whiten.

The undersides of the leaves are a flashy purplish red that is visible when the plant folds up at night.

The calathea roseopicta grows from a rhizome and tends to have a clumping growth habit. It is also an evergreen, so you can enjoy its beautiful colors year-round.

Although calathea roseopicta hybrids have unique colors, leaf shapes, and patterns, their distinctive feature is their feathery border pattern.

Calathea Roseopicta Varieties

Calathea roseopicta ‘Rosy’: This calathea variety features bright pink-brush silver leaves that are hugged with a dark green rim.
Calathea Roseopicta Rosy – Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Calathea roseopicta’ Medallion’: This classic variety has large dark green leaves with deep purple backs, adding a unique tropical charm.
Calathea Roseopicta Medallion – Photo Credit: Dreamstime.
Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie’: This variety has mesmerizing dark green foliage with beautiful pink gradients on the leaves’ bordered.
Calathea Roseopicta Dottie – Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Calothea Roseopicta Care

The calathea roseopicta originates in the humid forest floor of the headwaters in Brazil. So to help your plant thrive, its environment must reflect its origins.

Some say this calathea plant is not easy to take care of, but you can grow this showstopper at home with just a bit of care.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about calathea roseopicta care.

Light Requirements

Calatheas, in general, need plenty of filtered light.

Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to fade and lose their markings.

Calathea roseopicta plants can tolerate shaded areas, but the more bright indirect light it receives, the healthier the foliage will be.

Watering Requirements

This calathea plant (and all calathea plants, for that matter) must be kept in evenly damp soil. However, do not let the plant sit in overwatered soil, which can cause root rot or other fungal diseases.

To avoid overwatering your plant, poke a finger into the soil to check the plant’s moisture levels.

Humidity Requirements

High humidity levels are a must for this tropical houseplant.

You can mist your plant to improve its humidity levels. You can also place it near the shower or a humidifier to get it to a thriving humidity level (above 60%).

Temperature Requirements

Calatheas prefer warm temperatures, so to ensure your plant thrives, provide a tropical vibe with temperatures between 64 to 85ºF.

Ensure your plant has decent ventilation and avoid droughts, drafty windows, and sudden temperature changes and drafts.

Soil Requirements

This plant’s soil must be well-draining, spongy, and rich in organic matter.

While the calathea roseopicta demands consistent moisture, it does not tolerate wet soil.

A commercial soil mixture should work fine, but you can add ⅓ perlite to improve the soil’s drainage.

Fertilizer

The easiest fertilizer for this calathea plant is adding nutrient-rich compost to the soil when repotting; this should keep it going through the active growing season.

If you notice your plant’s leaves have brown tips, it’s likely because there’s a build-up of fertilizer salts in the plant’s soil.

To fix this, flush the soil with a steady stream of water for about 10 minutes- try using distilled water instead of tap water.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Calathea Roseopicta Propagation

A healthy calathea roseopicta is very easy to propagate by division.

The best time to divide a calathea roseopicta is when it has many young plantlets. Here’s how to do it:

Gently take the plant off the pot.
Separate the plant’s clumps carefully (you can use clean scissors), and include roots and at least one leaf with each new plant.
Plant in a small, snug container using the same soil composition as the parent plant.
Keep the soil evenly moist and give the new plant filtered indirect light.
If the environment’s humidity is low, create an enclosure with clear plastic around the plant.
Once you see new growth, gradually remove any tenting and continue with regular care.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Calathea Roseopicta Common Problems

You shouldn’t encounter many problems with your calathea roseopicta if you provide proper growing conditions. However, if you encounter problems with these houseplants, it is best to deal with them promptly before they threaten your nearby plants.

Common Pests

Some common calathea pests include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.

No need to worry; mild insecticidal soaps and alcohol-soaked cotton balls should help you quickly eliminate these pests.

Root Rot

Root rot happens when you overwater your plant (and it usually happens during winter).

Let the soil dry completely and reduce the watering frequency to fix this problem.

You can also allow half of the soil to dry out between waterings. Just use the finger test to see when the first 2 inches of soil are dry.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves are likely caused by overwatering.

Check your plant’s soil before watering your plant, and ensure that the top of the soil has dried out before watering your plant.

Calothea Roseopicta Toxicity

All calathea plants are non-toxic!

The calathea roseopicta is safe to keep around pets and kids.

However, keeping houseplants out of reach for small children and curious four-legged friends is always a good idea.

Other Houseplant Guides from Planet Natural:

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Calathea Plant Indoors

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Calathea Makoyana Indoors

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Calathea Orbifolia Indoors

Melissa Pino

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Melissa Pino is a biologist, master gardener, and regular contributor for Planet Natural. Melissa's work focuses on promoting environmentally-friendly practices, helping people create healthy gardens and finding ways to achieve overall health and wellness.