Beauty Star Calathea

Beauty Star Calathea (Calathea 'Beauty Star') is a rainforest-style foliage plant with big, broad, intricately marked leaves held on long stems. It stays compact at 30cm to 40cm tall and 40cm to 60cm wide, which suits a bright bathroom, a shaded corner or the understorey of a tropical garden. Each leaf is marked a little differently, so no two plants look identical.

Why you'll love it

• Every plant is different. Each dark green leaf is banded with feathery bright green and finished with hairline stripes in cream and pale pink, and the markings vary from plant to plant.
• Compact size. At around 40cm tall it fits a shelf, a side table or a bathroom bench without taking over the room.
• Made for shade. It is happiest in bright shade without direct sun, which makes it a useful plant for rooms and corners where little else will grow.
• Safe around pets. Calatheas are non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a sensible choice for a house with animals.
• Indoors or out. It moves between a living room and a tropical garden accent, as long as the temperature stays above 15C.

Where it works best

Indoors. Give it bright, indirect light and a steady spot away from heaters, air conditioner vents and direct sun, which bleaches the pattern. A bathroom or kitchen with a window is the easiest place to keep it happy.

Tropical and subtropical shade gardens. In frost-free, sheltered gardens it works as accent underplanting. Set plants about 50cm apart beneath trees or along a shaded wall.

Pots on a sheltered patio. In a warm climate, a pot on a shaded, frost-free patio shows off the leaf pattern close to eye level.

Growing Beauty Star Calathea in Australia

Position and climate. Bright shade out of direct sun is ideal. It needs warmth, with temperatures staying above 15C, so outdoors it belongs only in sheltered, frost-free shade in tropical and subtropical gardens. Everywhere else, grow it indoors.

Soil. A good quality, moisture-holding potting mix that still drains freely suits it. Pot it into a container only a little wider than the root ball, with drainage holes.

Water and feed. Keep the mix evenly moist but never soggy: water regularly from the start, and carry on at the same steady rhythm once the plant has settled after its first 12 weeks. Mist when the air is dry. Brown, crisp leaf edges usually mean dry air or hard tap water, so use rainwater or filtered water where you can. A slow release fertiliser high in nitrogen, applied every three months, keeps the foliage healthy.

Pruning. Very little is needed. Wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust, and cut off damaged or yellowed leaves at the base.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Beauty Star Calathea as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small, and the pattern becomes more striking as the leaves enlarge. Calatheas are tropical, so unpack it promptly, keep it out of cold draughts and pot it into a free draining mix in a bright, warm spot.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our full calathea range
• More indoor plants for the home
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• The calathea care guide: fixing brown edges and curling

Common questions

Where is the best place to put it?

Somewhere bright but out of direct sun, such as a bathroom or kitchen with a window. Keep it warm, above 15C, and away from heaters and air conditioning.

Why are the leaf edges turning brown?

Usually dry air, hard tap water or too much fertiliser. Raise the humidity, switch to rainwater or filtered water and feed lightly.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Calatheas are non-toxic to cats and dogs, although a chewed leaf can still upset a small animal's stomach.