Calathea Roseopicta [ka-LAY-thee-uh, ro-see-oh-PIK-tuh] is a stunning evergreen perennial plant from the Calathea plant family Marantaceae.
The Marantaceae family is generally referred to by the common name the prayer plant family due to the unique habit most of its species display.
The large leaves of most Marantaceae plants turn upwards in the evening, which looks like as if they are praying.
From the scientific perspective, plants do this to absorb the maximum amount of water.
Native to north-western regions of Brazil, the plant is commonly known as the rose-painted calathea because of the pink-colored stripes on its leaves.
The scientific name of the plant also refers to the rose-colored stripes as well as to the shape of its flowers.
Calathea means basket, referring to the shape of inflorescence, and roseopicta means rose painted.
Calathea Roseopicta Medallion looks very similar to Calathea makoyana or peacock plant and is often confused with it.
Other Popular Calathea Varieties include:
- Calathea Rattlesnake Plant – Calathea Lancifolia
- Calathea ‘White Fusion’
- Calathea Burle Marx – Fishbone prayer plant
- Peacock Plant – Calathea Makoyana
- Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea Roseopicta Plant Care
Size & Growth
Rose painted calathea is a small tender perennial foliage plant, which typically grows up to 20” inches, with occasionally reaching the height of 2’ feet, and displays a clump-forming habit.
Just like other members of its family, this Marantaceae species is known for its highly attractive foliage and dark green leaves.
The beautiful leaves are large, somewhat rounded, dark green from above, and red to magenta from below.
In addition to the beautiful and contrasting colors, the leaves also feature pink stripes along the midrib and veins, which turn white when the plant reaches maturity.
The stripes are thick with feathered margins and look as if they have been manually painted by someone, earning the plant widespread popularity among plant lovers all over the world.
The leaves are produced from the top of the stalks and can grow up to 30” inches in length.
Flowering and Fragrance
Calathea roseopicta blooms in the summer producing purple and white flowers.
While the flowers have an interesting shape, they are small and inconspicuous (non-showy).
Light & Temperature
As mentioned above, rose-painted calathea is a tender foliage plant.
It is not winter-hardy and requires a minimum room temperature of 61° degrees Fahrenheit (16° C) to grow outdoors.
However, it is cultivated indoors, as a houseplant, in temperate regions.
While the plant requires warm weather to grow, it cannot tolerate direct sunlight.
Therefore, make sure to always plant or place it in a location where it receives shade with bright indirect light.
The plant also requires constant high humidity levels to grow properly. In areas, with low humidity, a humidifier is a welcome addition for this indoor plant.
Lastly, when growing rose-painted calathea, make sure to avoid cold drafts and sudden drops in temperatures.
Watering and Feeding
C. roseopicta prefers moist soil, so watering it frequently ensures good growth and foliage.
The watering requirements, however, reduce during winter when the plant is not actively growing.
Also, make sure to not over-water the plant as it detests standing water and wet feet.
Let the top of the soil to get dry between waterings to avoid any negative consequences.
Also, make sure to not use hard water as it can cause leaf spotting. Water Calathea plants using distilled water or collected rainwater.
If using tap water allow the water to sit out overnight to allow any chemicals to dissipate before use.
Fertilize with any houseplant fertilizer, diluted at half strength, once or twice a month, during the active growing season.
Soil & Transplanting
Plant your rose-painted calathea in a peat-based potting mix for best results.
But, also use a mixture containing 1 part perlite and two parts peat.
Whichever type of soil you use, make sure it is well-draining because while the plant prefers moist soil, it doesn’t like wet feet at all.
Repotting is only required when the roots have grown too much and need room to spread.
On average, the plant only needs to be repotted once every two years.
Spring is the best time for repotting this calathea species.
Grooming and Maintenance
While calathea roseopicta is not a very demanding plant, overall, it is sensitive to temperature and watering.
Therefore, never let your calathea to sit in full sun, always provide protection. The best Calathea care protects plants from cold temperatures, and keep plants watered just enough to keep the soil moist.
How to Propagate Rose Painted Calathea
Mature rose-painted calathea can easily be propagated by plant division.
You just have to be careful with watering newly planted divisions and make sure to not overwater them.
Rose Painted Calathea Pest or Diseases
While the plant isn’t susceptible to lots of serious pest infestations, it can develop a few problems if not grown in the right conditions.
For example, under-watering the rose-painted calathea can lead to leaf spots and curling. Spider mites can become a problem in low humidity conditions. Misting can be beneficial.
Similarly, lack of humidity can cause browning of leaf tips and leaf edges.
Exposing the plant to low temperatures or over-watering in winter can cause limp stems.
Calathea Roseopicta Uses
Rose-painted calathea is an excellent houseplant and grows happily in indoor growing conditions away from cold drafts.
In summers, it makes a great display on windows, balconies, terraces, and patios with indirect sunlight.
It is also a good choice for people looking for less demanding plants and is a safe plant for homeowners with cats and dogs.
Calathea roseopicta is also selectively propagated to yield a variety of leaf patterns.
Some of its well-known varieties include Calathea ‘medallion’, Calathea ‘eclipse,’ and Calathea ‘dottie.’