Complete Guide to Care Calathea Whitestar

Taking care of Calathea whitestar is relatively easy if you know how to do it. If not, there is nothing to worry as you are here where you will be guided how to do that. Check out the complete guide to care for Calathea whitestar below and take some notes if needed.

Light

The Calathea whitestar loves bright, indirect light. While it may grow in shade, it can cause the variegation of the leaves to fade. Just like dam light, direct sunlight is also not good. The reason is because it can cause the leaves to burn and fade. To prevent such a thing from happening, you are suggested to shield the plant from the direct sun.

Finding the perfect spot for Calathea whitestar may not be easy. If you are wondering the ideal place for this plant, the one that has soft filtered light like the early morning sun is recommended. There is no doubt that this plant will like to get the sunrise each morning.

If there is no way for you to provide the plant with the sunrise every morning and afternoon sun is the only option, you can try to place it at a window with a sheer curtain. It is similar to how a rainforest canopy would filter light to the plants below.

Soil

Just like any other Calathea varieties, Calathea whitestar prefers to be in well-draining potting soil or mixture. You are not recommended to put it in a soil that is too dense or stays saturated for too long. Such soil is clearly not a good one for this plant.

To provide the nutrients that are needed by the plant, there are a few ingredients that you can get, such as coco coir, pine bark, worm castings, and perlite. Each of them is proven to give the nutrients to the plant while retaining the proper moisture. Due to the risk of this plant getting root rot, a good aeration is important. Make sure to always use media that can drain fast. If you have no idea about the best soil for your Calathea whitestar, you are encouraged to visit a local gardening store where you will be able to get help with the suitable soil for your plant.

Temperature

As Calathea whitestar is originally from a warm area, it is not surprising that it loves warm conditions. The ideal temperatures for this one ranges from 65 degree Fahrenheit to 80 degree Fahrenheit or 15 degree Celsius to 29 degree Celsius. As it is native to rainforest, mimicking the conditions that are similar to the original ones is a must if you want this plant to grow well. In the fall and winter, you should also keep this plant away from any doors or windows that may be drafty. It has been known that cold damage can happen really quickly. Besides, it can be tough to recover from this tropical foliage.

Humidity

The humidity is required as Calathea whitestar is from a tropical place. It can grow well in some places in your home, including in a bathroom, kitchen or any location that has the humidity of between 60 to 70%. Apart from that, you can also place the pot on a tray of pebbles that you keep filled with water and water the plant regularly or put the humidifier close to it.

If you see brown leaf tips, it means the humidity is low, affecting the plant. This kind of thing usually happens if you place it near the radiators or any dry heat source in the fall and winter. If you refuse the idea of putting this plant in the bathroom, you might agree to place it there while you shower at least once a week.

Watering

The best time to water the Calathea whitestar is when the top 1 inch of soil looks dry. Depending on the light conditions, it usually happens every 1 to 2 weeks. The plant should be watered more often if the light is brighter.

In fact, the high concentrations of fluoride in tap water can damage the foliage. If you do not want this to happen, you are suggested to water with bottled or distilled water. Aside from these two, you can also use collected rainwater.

Fertilizer

There is no need for you to give the Calathea whitestar too much fertilizer. Compared to giving it too much fertilizer, giving it less is more recommended as it can deposit a lot of salt into the soil. The best fertilizer for this plant is a slow release one. If you want to keep the plant growing, please only feed it in the spring and summer, which is April-October. Make sure to apply the fertilizer every few weeks. Another thing to make sure is to not fertilize it in the winter.

Pruning

Usually, the Calathea whitestar grows 15 to 30 inches in height. It also usually has a width of 12 to 18 inches. This plant is known to be moderately fast growing. In order to help with its growth, regular pruning is needed. By doing so, ant dead or yellow leaves can be thrown to the bin. It is recommended to make the plant grow taller. In addition, it can also make the plant produce more foliage.

Repotting

Repotting Calathea whitestar can be done once every two years in the spring. Do not forget to use osil that is a perlite mix to hold the moisture and drain well. The best time to repot is when you see the roots poking out of the pot or if you see dropping leaves even when you water it well.

Propagating

Dividing is the best way to propagate the Calathea whitestar. You can do it when it is repotting time in the spring. Separate the plant where there are natural separations in the roots when removing the plant to repot it. It has been known that this plant has a tendency of having very weak roots, so it is important to be gentle unless you want its roots to be damaged. On the brighter news, this plant is known to be moderately fast. It means you can propagate some new plants from the original one.