Even among Calatheas, some species are more striking than others. Calathea White Star is an especially vibrant variety thanks to its luminous white-striped leaves. It’s also known as Calathea majestica or the “Majestic Prayer Plant”. This guide will detail everything needed for successful Calathea White Star care.
What is a Calathea White Star?
Calathea White Star is an exceptionally beautiful variety of Calathea that’s native to various regions of South America such as Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. The huge green leaves are streaked with pale white or pink stripes that nearly fill the entire foliage. Calathea White Star plants are cultivars of Calathea ornata (Pin-stripe Calathea).
Quick Summary
Botanical Names: Calathea majestica, Goeppertia majestica
Native to: South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru)
Care: Moderate
Size: Reaches 2 feet tall and wide
Common Problems: Insufficient humidity, Overwatering, Mealybugs, Spider mites
Toxicity: Non-toxic to both pets and people
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How to care for Calathea White Star
Sunlight
Because they need conditions that mimic their natural habitat of the rainforest floor, Calathea White Star prefers bright but indirect sunlight. Receiving too much sun forces those beautiful pale stripes on the leaves to fade and become washed out.
Watering
Calathea White Star like consistently moist (but not soaking wet) growing medium. If the soil holds too much water, the roots will start to rot. Calathea White Star should be watered when the first inch or two of soil feels dry. To avoid any harmful water quality, use rainwater or distilled water.
Humidity & Temperature
High humidity and temperature levels are pivotal for Calathea White Star. These levels must be maintained throughout the year. Use a hygrometer to keep the humidity at approximately 60%. Temperature should stay between 65 and 75ºF (18 to 24ºC). Keep the plant away from cold or dry drafts.
Moisture levels can be supplemented by misting the leaves every couple of days or by letting the plant enjoy a lukewarm shower. Devices such as humidifiers or pebble trays also help, as does positioning the Calathea White Star in a humid bathroom or with other jungle houseplants.
Cleaning
The beauty of Calathea White Star foliage can be marred by a buildup of dust. This also impacts photosynthesis. Clean the leaves using a slightly moist cloth. Don’t use leaf shine products as these can cause problems for the leaves.
Fertilizing & Soil
The ideal soil for Calathea White Star needs to hold some moisture but also needs good drainage to make sure the plant doesn’t get waterlogged. A 2:1 mixture of houseplant compost and perlite or coconut coir helps provide good conditions.
During the main growth period in the spring and summer, provide a monthly dose of diluted liquid fertilizer. This helps the foliage become as bushy and as vibrant as possible. Diluting the dose removes the risk of harmful salts building up in the soil.
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Repotting
Calathea White Star has a moderate growth rate, so regularly repotting them is needed to maintain a healthy plant. This should be done once every year or two in the spring before the new growing season.
It’s important to only move up one pot size each time to avoid stressing the plant. When situating the plant in a new pot, use a growing medium similar to what was in the previous pot and position the rootball at a similar depth.
Propagation
Calathea White Star plants can be propagated fairly easily by dividing the growing clumps around the stems and rhizomes. This is best done in the springtime so that newly-separated plants can acclimatize before the growing season reaches full swing.
Remove the plant from its nursery pot and excavate the roots. Carefully separate a clump that has its own root system and several healthy leaves. Place these new plants in pots with some of the soil from the previous plant and a similar fresh growing medium.
Toxicity
Calathea White Star isn’t harmful to humans or pets such as dogs or cats.
Pruning
Heavy pruning is not required with Calathea White Star. All that is needed is to periodically remove any old or diseased stems to help redirect the plant’s energy to younger, healthier growth. When choosing a leaf to remove, cut at the base of the leaf at the joint between leaf and stem. Sterilize cutting tools in between pruning.
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Pests and other common problems
Insufficient humidity
Calathea White Star can suffer when levels are not adequately maintained. The leaves may start to develop brown edges or tips and may also start curling. Remove these brown parts and remember to use misting, pebble trays, lukewarm showers, or humidifiers to boost the humidity.
Overwatering
If the soil stays too wet for too long, Calathea White Star can suffer from problems like root rot. Avoid overwatering by testing the soil with a finger to check if the top one or two inches is dry before hydrating. Yellowing foliage is a common sign of overwatering.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs will gorge themselves on the sap from the stems of Calathea White Star. They leave behind evidence in the form of mildew – a waxy, white deposit on the leaves. Prune away any leaves showing mildew and use neem oil or organic pesticides to clear the mealybugs.
Spider mites
Spider mites are another insect that feasts on sap. Spots on the foliage or yellowing leaves may mean that spider mites have infested the plant. Cut affected leaves away and administer organic pesticides or other products to rescue the plant.
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Common FAQs
Are Calathea White Star plants difficult?
The most difficult aspect of Calathea White Star care is keeping the humidity and temperature at adequate levels throughout the year. These plants need 60% humidity and temperatures of between 65 and 75ºF. Humidity can be difficult to maintain in some areas, but tricks like misting and pebble trays can be used.
Should I mist my Calathea White Star?
Calathea White Star leaves enjoy a regular misting every couple of days to help top up the moisture around the plant. Use rainwater if possible, but distilled or filtered water is fine.
How do you make Calathea White Star so bushy?
Regularly removing any spent or diseased foliage helps promote bushier growth on a Calathea White Star. Ensuring that humidity and temperature conditions are within required levels also contributes to thick foliage.
Should I cut brown leaves off my Calathea White Star?
Calathea White Star may develop brown leaves as a result of low water quality or a lack of humidity. Affected areas can be cut away from the plant. Steps should then be taken to provide better water quality and humidity.
How long does it take a Calathea White Star to reach full growth?
Calathea White Star grows fairly quickly and will reach mature size (around 2 feet) in just over a year.
How do you grow Calathea White Star indoors?
Keep on top of the humidity (60%) and temperature (65 to 75ºF) to create a healthy Calathea White Star. Keep the plant and its delicate foliage away from direct sunlight and make sure that the growing medium can drain well while still holding enough moisture.
