How to Easily Grow Calathea Roseopicta in Your Home for Show-Stopping Leaves

Calathea roseopicta, also commonly known as rose painted calathea, is a colorful tropical plant with oval-shaped, dark green leaves marked with areas of pink and red. Native to South America, calathea roseopicta makes an excellent houseplant in cold climates.

This plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and requires low to moderate indirect light, temperatures between between 70°F and 80°F, and moist, well-drained soil.

Calathea Roseopicta Care

Here's how to care for calathea roseopicta:

• Put in a place with medium to bright indirect light.

• Plant in moist, well-drained potting mix.

• Water when the soil surface has just begun to dry out.

• Fertilize with a balanced houseplant fertilizer during the growing season.

Light

Like other types of calathea, calathea roseopicta requires medium to bright indirect light, such as from an east-facing window or skylight.

The plant can also grow well several feet from a south-facing or west-facing window, as long as its leaves are not exposed to direct sunlight. Faded brown or tan patches on leaves indicate sunburn. If these appear, move the plant out of direct sunlight.

Soil

Plant calathea roseopicta in a well-drained potting mix that contains peat moss or coconut coir to retain moisture. Standard houseplant mix works well, or you can make your own mix by blending one part peat moss or coconut coir, one part compost for fertility, and one part perlite for drainage.

Water

Calathea roseopicta requires soil that's consistently moist but not soggy. Water this plant when the soil surface has just begun to show signs of drying out.

Always empty drip trays and cache pots after watering to ensure that the plant isn't sitting in water, which can cause fungal diseases like root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Calatheas prefer warm temperatures between around 70°F and 80°F. Temperatures below 60°F can damage the plant.

Calathea roseopicta also prefers the high-humidity conditions of its native tropical environment, ideally 50 to 60 percent humidity or higher. Add moisture to the air by running a humidifier near the plant or grouping it together in a room with several other plants. Calathea roseopicta also makes a great bathroom plant.

Fertilizer

Feed calathea roseopicta with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month during the growing season. Begin fertilizing when you see new growth in early spring and continue until days shorten and temperatures cool in fall. Avoid fertilizing in winter.

Types of Calathea Roseopicta

• Calathea roseopicta ‘Rosy’: The calathea roseopicta with the most color, this cultivar features bright pink leaves edged with green.

• Calathea roseopicta ’Medallion’: This cultivar is known for its silver-striped, dark green leaves with deep purple undersides.

• Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie’: This popular cultivar's dark green foliage sports a pink central vein and pink feathering that pop against its deep green leaves.

Pruning

As a clumping plant, calathea roseopicta doesn't need to be pruned regularly. However, you'll want to cut away dead, yellowed, or damaged leaves as they appear by removing them with clean, sharp scissors or pruners at the base of the plant.

Propagating Calathea Roseopicta

It's easy to propagate calathea roseopicta by dividing a mature, healthy plant. Wait until plants are at least two years old, and divide in spring or summer when the plant is in active growth. Water the plant the day before you plan to repot. Before you begin, you'll need fresh potting mix, small plant pots, sterilized shears or pruners, and optional gardening gloves. Here's how to propagate calathea roseopicta:

1. Gently tip the mother plant out of its pot. Use your fingers to loosen the root ball.

2. Separate the plant into clumps, avoiding root damage as much as possible. Each division should include roots and at least one leaf.

3. Plant each division in an appropriately sized container with fresh soil. Ensure that the soil line hits the same level on each division as it did on the mother plant.

4. Water the divisions well and put them in a warm, humid place with medium to bright, indirect light. During this time, keep the plant's soil evenly moist but not soggy.

5. New leaf growth is a sign that the division has recovered and can be cared for as usual.

Potting and Repotting Calathea Roseopicta

Plan to repot your calathea roseopicta every couple of years. You'll also want to repot when the plant is showing signs of being potbound such as roots growing out of drainage holes, roots filling the interior of the pot, or a dull appearance and lack of growth.

It's best to repot in spring or summer and use a pot that's only one or two inches larger in diameter than the previous pot. Avoid terracotta pots, which wick away moisture and can dry out the plant's soil too quickly.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Calathea roseopicta can be affected by common houseplant pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Examine the plant for signs of pests regularly and treat infestations with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

Calathea roseopicta's moist soil can also be host to fungus gnats, and too much moisture in the soil can cause fungal issues like root rot.

Common Problems With Calathea Roseopicta

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow leaves on calathea roseopicta are a common sign of overwatering. Cut back on watering and water only when the top of the soil has begun to dry out. In severe cases, the plant may require repotting in fresh soil.

Browning Tips

A lack of moisture can cause the edges of calathea roseopicta's leaves to turn brown and crispy. Raise the humidity level around the plant and ensure that it's receiving consistent water.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Too much direct sunlight can sunburn your calathea roseopicta's leaves. This condition will appear as yellow, brown, or tan spots on foliage. Prune away affected leaves and move the plant further from the light source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I mist calathea roseopicta?

Unfortunately, misting doesn't actually raise humidity levels for houseplants. Instead, try grouping your calathea roseopicta together with several other plants to create a more humid microclimate, or run a small humidifier near your plant to add moisture to the air.

How big does calathea roseopicta get?

Calathea roseopicta can grow from between a foot to 18 inches tall and about a foot wide at maturity.

What's the difference between calathea roseopicta and calathea medallion?

Calathea roseopicta is a species name, while calathea medallion (Calathea roseopicta 'Medallion') is a cultivar of that species of plant.

Read the original article on The Spruce.