Calathea roseopicta 'Flamestar' is a tropical houseplant admired for its striking foliage. The large, oval leaves display a deep green background adorned with vibrant patterns along the veins, while the undersides reveal a rich purple hue. This plant exhibits nyctinasty, a rhythmic movement where leaves open during the day and close at night.
Native to: Originating from the tropical rainforests of Brazil, Calathea roseopicta 'Flamestar' thrives under the dense canopy, adapting to warm, humid, and shaded environments.
Water: Maintain consistently moist soil without waterlogging. Water when the top layer of the soil begins to dry out, ensuring the pot has drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot. Using distilled, rainwater, or filtered tap water is advisable to avoid leaf browning caused by chemicals like fluoride in tap water.
Light: Prefers medium to bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause sunburn, leading to faded brown or tan patches on leaves. Positioning the plant near an east-facing window or several feet away from a south-facing or west-facing window is ideal.
Humidity: Thrives in high humidity levels, ideally above 60%. Low humidity can result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, use a humidifier, place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, or group it with other plants.
Temperature: Favours temperatures between 18°C to 24°C.