Calathea roseopicta 'Black Rose' is one of the darkest of the rose painted calatheas. The leaf surface is so deep a green it reads almost black, lit by a vivid pink midrib and feathered pink markings, with the rich purple undersides typical of the species. New leaves open with the strongest pink and darken as they mature, and the whole plant folds its foliage upward at night like every good prayer plant.
Origins. The species, now filed by botanists as Goeppertia roseopicta, comes from the rainforest floor of northwest Brazil, where it grows in warm, humid shade. 'Black Rose' is a modern selection of it, sold in the trade under this name and matching the cultivar recorded as 'Dottie'. Like all calatheas it is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it belongs with our pet safe houseplants.
Care. Give it bright, indirect light to light shade; direct sun bleaches the dark colour. Keep the compost evenly moist with rainwater or filtered water, never soggy, and aim for 60 per cent humidity or more, as with the rest of our humidity loving houseplants. Keep it warm, above 15C, and it will reward you as one of the most striking houseplants you can grow for a shadier spot.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Rose Painted Calathea
Give me bright light out of the midday sun and keep my soil lightly moist.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Rose Painted Calathea
Calathea roseopicta 'Black Rose' is a houseplant that takes a little effort. It needs bright indirect light, watering often enough to keep the compost evenly moist, high humidity and a minimum temperature of 15°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Bright, indirect light or light shade. Direct sun fades the near black colour and pink markings; deep gloom slows growth.Read moreShow less
Bright, indirect light or light shade. Direct sun fades the near black colour and pink markings; deep gloom slows growth.
Watering
Evenly moistDries out fully
Keep evenly moist
Keep the compost evenly moist, watering when the surface starts to dry. Rainwater or filtered water keeps the leaf tips clean; never let it stand in water.Read moreShow less
Keep the compost evenly moist, watering when the surface starts to dry. Rainwater or filtered water keeps the leaf tips clean; never let it stand in water.
Humidity
Average homeHigh humidity
Needs high humidity
Happiest at 60 per cent humidity or more. Group plants together or use a humidifier; crisp edges mean the air is too dry.Read moreShow less
Happiest at 60 per cent humidity or more. Group plants together or use a humidifier; crisp edges mean the air is too dry.
Temperature
15°
0°C25°C
Keep above 15°C · Likes a warm room
Warm and steady, ideally 18 to 24C and never below about 15C. Keep it clear of cold draughts, open windows and radiators.Read moreShow less
Warm and steady, ideally 18 to 24C and never below about 15C. Keep it clear of cold draughts, open windows and radiators.
Feeding
Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.
They are at least siblings and very likely the same plant. Singapore's NParks flora database records 'Dottie' as the correct cultivar name for plants sold under the Black Rose trade name. Some growers list them separately, with Black Rose described as the darker of the two, but no botanical source separates them. We sell it under the name it arrives with from the nursery.
Is it a Calathea or a Goeppertia?
Both. The species was long known as Calathea roseopicta, and botanists moved it with most other calatheas into the genus Goeppertia, so the current botanical name is Goeppertia roseopicta. Growers and shops still use Calathea, which is why we do too.
Is Calathea Black Rose safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. Calatheas are in the prayer plant family, Marantaceae, which the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a good pick for homes with pets.
Why are the leaves losing their pink?
Two usual causes. Older leaves naturally darken as the pink zones mature to deep green, which is normal for roseopicta cultivars. If the whole plant is paling or bleaching, it is getting too much direct sun; move it to bright, indirect light.
Why are my leaf edges turning brown and crispy?
Dry air, hard tap water or irregular watering. Keep the compost evenly moist, push humidity towards 60 per cent or more, and switch to rainwater or filtered water, since the minerals in hard tap water scorch calathea leaf margins.
Is this plant safe for my pets?
Yes. This plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it's a good choice for homes with pets. Even so, plants aren't food, so a keen chewer could still get an upset stomach. If you're worried, speak to your vet.
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Calathea, also known as prayer plants, are the perfect addition to brighten your indoor space. With their vibrant patterns and lush, tropical appearance, these plants bring life and elegance to any home. This care guide also applies to their close relativ...
Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.
Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
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From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
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