Calathea Ornata

Calathea Ornata thrives in dappled light, ideally placed 1.5 to 2 meters from an east or north-facing window, where the sun never directly hits the foliage.

In its natural habitat, beneath the canopy of the rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, it receives only filtered, diffused light. Recreating these conditions indoors is essential to preserving the intensity of its pink stripes and the health of its large, oval leaves. Exposure to direct sunlight, even for a few hours, irreparably fades the leaf patterns and burns the margins.

In summer, a spot slightly away from the window with a sheer curtain is sufficient. In winter, move the plant closer to compensate for the decrease in natural light, but never exceed soft, indirect light.

Important tip 🌿If the foliage loses its vibrancy or if new leaves emerge with less distinct stripes, it's often a sign of insufficient light. For dimly lit rooms, ourhorticultural lamp to stimulate growthfaithfully imitates natural light and ensures healthy development all year round.

Calathea Ornata is non-toxic to cats, dogs and young children, making it a particularly suitable houseplant for homes with pets or young children.

Unlike many tropical ornamental plants, Calathea Ornata does not contain soluble calcium oxalates or irritating compounds in significant quantities. Its ingestion does not cause serious toxic reactions according to available botanical data and recognized classifications, including that of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

That said, ingesting leaf fragments may cause mild, temporary digestive upset in some sensitive animals, such as nausea or temporary discomfort, without any particular seriousness.

What precautions should be taken on a daily basis?

Even though the plant is considered non-toxic, it is still recommended to place it out of reach of young children and animals who could damage it by chewing its beautiful graphic leaves.

You can serenely enjoy your Calathea Ornata with your family and pets, simply ensuring that the plant remains intact and can thrive in good conditions.

The leaves of the Calathea Ornata most often turn yellow due to overwatering, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem usually stems from excess water causing the beginning of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant often lacks light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light spots, a dull appearance or fine webbing, it may be a mite infestation, common indoors, especially in dry atmospheres.

Calathea Ornata is particularly sensitive to water quality: regular watering with hard or too cold water can cause progressive yellowing of the leaf margins and dull its characteristic pink or creamy white stripes, even in the absence of any other stress factor.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is perfectly normal: it is part of the plant's natural cycle.On the other hand, there is cause for concern if several leaves turn yellow rapidly, if the phenomenon spreads to young leaves, or if growth slows down significantly.

In case of a mite infestation, prioritize ourplant-friendly biological treatments, effective and respectful of your home.

The Calathea Ornata is ideally repotted in spring, between March and May, when growth resumes actively.

Repotting is necessary when:

• The roots emerge through the drainage holes.
• Growth is slowing down.
• or that the substrate compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

Calathea Ornata develops a relatively shallow and very fine root system, typical of Marantaceae, which means that it prefers wide but not too deep pots, and that it tolerates less well large volumes of moist substrate which can promote rot in case of excessive watering.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, and make sure it has drainage holes. Ourtransparent pots to monitor the rootsare ideal: their transparency allows you to easily check root recovery and the condition of the roots after repotting, without disturbing the plant.

Prepare a well-draining and aerated substrate, specially designed for tropical plants with fine roots.We recommend ourwell-draining substrates enriched with biostimulantsdesigned to promote drainage, root oxygenation, and healthy long-term growth. For Calathea Ornata, specifically choose ourdraining substrate formulated for Calatheadesigned to respect the delicate nature of their roots and maintain ideal humidity.

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary to loosen the root ball without pulling on the stems.
2. Gently loosen the roots if they are very compacted, without breaking them. There's no need to rinse systematically: the main goal is to give them more space.
3. Place a layer of substrate at the bottom of the pot, position the plant upright, then fill with substrate without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water the plant to help the potting mix settle around the roots and eliminate any air pockets. However, ensure that excess water can drain freely through the drainage holes.Keep in mind that repotting is always a source of stress for the plant. Repotting every two years is sufficient to ensure healthy and balanced growth.

Calathea Ornata should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, with a liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

During autumn and winter, from November to February, significantly reduce or stop fertilizing. This is a period of dormancy during which the plant produces few or no new leaves.

Calathea Ornata is particularly sensitive to over-fertilization: an overdose quickly causes burns on the leaf edges and can permanently dull the delicate pink stripes that give it its beauty. Moderate but regular fertilization is always preferable to overly concentrated applications.

A well-balanced intake promotes:

• denser, more colorful foliage
• steady growth,
• and improved plant resistance.

👉 For best results, we recommend ourconcentrated fertilizer for houseplantsEasy to dose, with fast visible results. Practical tips are printed directly on the back of the label and on the product information sheet, for simple and hassle-free use.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize a plant in a dry substrate: this could burn the roots.Water normally first, then apply diluted fertilizer 2 to 3 days later, when the soil is slightly moist. Excess fertilizer can cause leaf burn. Regular but moderate fertilization will keep your Calathea Ornata vigorous and healthy 💚

Water Calathea Ornata when the top 2 cm of soil has dried out, approximately every 7 to 9 days in summer and every 12 to 15 days in winter. Use room temperature water.

Calathea ornata is one of the houseplants most sensitive to water quality: hard or chlorinated water causes brown spots on the tips and edges of the leaves, as well as a gradual fading of the characteristic pink stripes. It is best to use filtered water, rainwater, or tap water that has been left to stand for at least 24 hours before use.

How do I know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: insert your index finger into the substrate to a depth of 2 to 3 cm. If the substrate is dry, it's time to water. If it's still damp, wait a few more days.

Important advice:When in doubt, it's always better to wait a little longer than to overwater. Plants adapt better to underwatering than to overwatering, which quickly causes root rot.

Calathea Ornata is propagated by division of the rhizome, ideally in spring, during annual repotting, when the plant is in full growth resumption.

Rhizome division: the method adapted to Calathea OrnataUnlike many tropical plants, Calathea Ornata cannot be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings: its propagation relies exclusively on separating the clumps formed by its underground rhizomes. Gently remove the plant from its pot and identify the distinct stem clumps with their own roots. Use ourStainless steel blade pruning shears for taking cuttings without damaging the plantTo cleanly sever the rhizomes between the clumps, be sure to preserve a minimum of healthy roots on each division. A clean cut reduces the risk of infection and promotes rapid regrowth.

1. Prepare each division by checking that it has at least two to three stems with leaves and an intact root system.
2. Install each division in ourtransparent pots to monitor root developmentwhich allow you to observe root development without disturbing the plant.
3. Fill with ourCalathea and Maranta specific substrate, perfectly suited to the fine roots of this botanical family.

Place the new divisions in a warm, bright location, out of direct sunlight, and keep the substrate slightly moist but not excessively so for the first few weeks after separation.

Important tip 🌿Calathea ornata typically takes 3 to 6 weeks to establish itself after division. During this time, the plant may pause and not produce new leaves; this is perfectly normal. The sign of successful establishment is the emergence of a new, curled leaf from the center of the clump, indicating that the roots have taken hold.