Calathea ‘White Star’

Description

The White Star Calathea is a vibrant addition to any prayer plant collection

Plant collectors love the Calathea White Star because of its retro look. The white and green foliage sets the plant apart. With violet and pink undersides, the plant is a beautiful addition to any place. The plant was first discovered in 1822 by Georg Meyer, a German botanist. 

The White Star Prayer Plant has big waxy leaves that were used to transport rice and fish. People would make baskets out of them as they were sturdy and could carry the weight. These plants are most commonly found in the Amazon and are adapted to humid conditions. 

Caring for your Calathea 

While the plant is very beautiful, it is important to understand that with great beauty comes great responsibility. You need to give them the right care and deal with their fussy nature for them to illuminate your space with an elegant and refreshing vibe. Let’s learn more about the care of the Calathea White Star. 

Light

The White Star Prayer plant is fussy when it comes to light requirements. You must be very careful to ensure that you stay moderate with the light and provide enough. The best way is to place your plant in a place where it can get filtered bright but indirect light. The light should also be soft, which is very nurturing for the plant. 

If possible, try to give your plant the early morning sunlight, which will be more than enough. Or you can also give it afternoon light but try to keep the plant further away, so the light is not too harsh for the plant. 

Soil

When picking out the soil for your plants, you can go for a potting mix that is well-draining but still helps your plant remain moist. The soil should have organic nutrients and porous materials to aid soil drainage. A good recipe for the soil includes 50% potting soil with 10% granules for drainage and 20% for each orchid bark or activated charcoal. 

Water

The idea is to keep your White stars as moist as possible. However, you must avoid getting it completely wet. Ideally, you should water the plant once every week, and the best choice is filtered tap water at room temperature. To check whether your plant needs water, you can stick your finger in the soil; if it is completely dry, you can water it. Keep a timetable to water it adequately and at the right time. 

Fertilizer

These plants don’t need a lot of fertilizer and can grow without one. Ideally, it is best to keep your plants fertilized than feeding them a lot of fertilizer. Or, if you want to boost the growth of the plant, then you can use a slow-release fertilizer so it can control the number of minerals it releases into the soil. The best time to fertilize your plants is summer or early spring. Avoid adding any fertilizer during the winter. 

Common Issues

Keeping a Calathea White Star is very rewarding, but there are some common issues that you might face if you’re unable to take good care of the plant. Let’s take a look at these problems so you can find a solution. 

Pests

Calathea is not very susceptible to pests. These plants require a lot of humidity, which is not a favorable environment for most pests. This is why common bugs such as aphids and mealy bugs are not harmful to Calathea. However, just like any other plant, this plant may suffer some damage such as lack of nutrition because of the pests. 

Disease

There are multiple diseases than can impact the growth and well-being of your Calathea White Star. For instance, if your plant has curling leaves then that would mean that your plant is not very comfortable in the cold. Other than that, your plant may have drooping leaves, which means that the plant does not have enough moisture. Last but not least, the leaves of your plant may also turn yellow, and that can be because you may have overwatered it. With the right care, you can get rid of these diseases easily. 

Pruning 

You can prune the white star prayer plant a little. These plants don’t grow too bushy, but you should remove the dead leaves. For that, you can prune the plant by simply pinching the leaves or using scissors to cut them off. 

Propagation

It is important to propagate the Calathea White Star, and you can do that with the help of root division. The stems of the plant do not help with the new growth, and you will have to use the roots to support the new growth. 

Potting/Repotting

The roots of the White Star are not fast-growing and can be very sensitive. It is essential for the plant pot to have plenty of room to ensure that the plant grows properly. If the roots of the plant are poking out of the pot, then you will have to go for a bigger pot. Otherwise, it is not necessary.