Pin Stripe Calathea

Pin Stripe Calathea (Calathea ornata 'Sanderiana') is grown for the leaf and nothing else, and the leaf is remarkable: deep green, glossy, ruled with fine pink lines that look drawn on by hand. It forms a clump about 800mm tall and 600mm across, so it suits a plant stand or a floor pot in a room with soft light. It is also safe around cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage with real pattern. Thin pink stripes on dark green, with deep purple undersides that show whenever the leaves lift in the evening.
• Not toxic to cats or dogs. Calatheas are one of the few dramatic indoor plants you can put at floor level in a home with a chewer.
• A tidy, contained clump. At 800mm by 600mm it holds its shape in a pot for years without sprawling or needing staking.

Where it works best

Indoors, anywhere in the country. Inside, your climate stops mattering, which is the point with a plant this frost tender. Bathrooms and kitchens suit it best, because the air there is already humid.

Pots and containers. Use a pot with a drainage hole and a mix that holds some moisture without turning to mud. A grouping of several plants raises the humidity around all of them.

Sheltered balconies and courtyards. Outdoors it is a tropical and subtropical plant only, and even there it needs full shelter from sun, wind and any hint of cold.

Growing Pin Stripe Calathea in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the pattern out within weeks, and deep shade makes the growth thin and pale. It will not take frost at all, so anywhere south of the subtropics it is an indoor plant year round.

Soil. A quality indoor potting mix opened up with perlite or coarse bark. It should stay evenly moist and still drain freely, since soggy mix is the quickest way to lose the roots.

Water and humidity. This is where calatheas are won or lost. Use filtered or rain water, because the fluorides and salts in most tap water burn the leaf edges brown. Water when the top 20mm of mix is dry, and keep the humidity up with a pebble tray or a bathroom position.

Feed and grooming. Half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer only. Trim damaged leaves off at the base rather than cutting a leaf in half.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is sold in 180mm pots, in packs of six. Each plant is a young established clump with a full head of patterned leaves, not a single stem.

Calatheas dislike travel more than most, so a little edge browning or a leaf that has curled in transit is normal rather than a fault. Set yours somewhere bright and indirect, leave it alone for a week, and expect it to settle within a fortnight. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read how to keep your indoor plants alive for the watering and light basics.
• Understand why plant leaves turn brown, the most common calathea complaint.
• Browse more pet friendly indoor plants.
• See the full indoor plant range.

Common questions

Why are the leaf edges going brown and crisp?

Almost always tap water or dry air. Switch to filtered or rain water, group plants together or stand the pot on wet pebbles, and keep it away from heaters and air conditioning vents.

Is it really safe for pets?

Yes. Calatheas are not toxic to cats or dogs, so a nibbled leaf is a problem for the plant rather than the animal.

Why do the leaves move during the day?

Calatheas raise their leaves at night and lower them by day, a normal habit that gives the family its prayer plant nickname. Movement is a sign of a healthy plant.