Is Calathea vittata a Prayer Plant?

What is Calathea vittata?

Calathea vittata is a species in the Calathea genus that is distinguished by its delicate, creamy-white, striped leaf variegation.

Calathea is a Brazilian genus that flourishes in tropical climates (via The Spruce). As a result, they have a reputation for being somewhat picky and high-maintenance houseplants.

The vittata variety is no exception, needing precise humidity and lighting conditions in order to grow.

However, if these conditions are followed, the plant will grow rapidly and thrive, becoming a lovely addition to your space.

Calathea vittata also has a slew of interesting characteristics and advantages. Calathea leaves open in the morning and curl up at night, according to Gardening It.

Are Calathea Vittata hard to care for?

Many individuals are scared by Calathea vittata because they believe they require special treatment in comparison to other indoor plants.

The fact is that the plant’s fundamental requirements are identical to those of other houseplants. Calathea Vittata is likely to be as picky as other Calathea species; its leaves may get crisp, curl, yellow, or droop, which may be extremely unpleasant.

As a consequence, we’ve prepared a Calathea Vittata care guide to help you take care of this attractive but sensitive little plant.

Can you propagate Calathea vittata?

Division is the most effective way to propagate your Calathea Vittata.

Unfortunately, this plant’s stem and leaf cuttings do not provide regular results. As a result, in order to distribute it, you’ll need to get your hands dirty.

Here’s how to divide your Calathea Vittata.

Prepare a pot, or many pots, if you wish to grow more than one new plant.

Have fresh African potting soil on hand as well.

Fill each container about one-third to forty percent of the way. Keep the soil moist by watering it.

Remove your Calathea Vittata from its container with care. You’ll want to clean off any excess dirt and soil from the root ball and check the roots for health.

The next step is to seek for the sections.

Choose a healthy stem or stems and follow them all the way to the root ball. For each of the stems, try to find the appropriate roots beneath the root ball. This will specify which section should be removed.

After picking the parts, cut each segment away from the mother plant with a sterile knife.

Plant each basic component in its own container. Backfill the soil to keep the plant upright.

How big do Calathea vittata grow?

The Calathea vittata is also a smaller variety of its genus, only reaching 12 inches tall, which makes it ideal for a desk, side table, or other small surfaces, advises Seed, Soil and Garden.

Calathea is a fast-growing plant that grows quickly when cared for properly. The plant may grow to be 24 to 26 inches tall. USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 are ideal for this plant.

Is Calathea vittata a Prayer Plant?

Calatheas of all stripes are beautiful, but the delicate white banding on Calathea ‘Vittata’ is especially stunning since it appears to be hand-painted.

Calathea ‘Vittata,’ like the majority of members of the Marantaceae or “Prayer Plant” family, has a habit of opening and closing its leaves as the day changes to night.

Its leaves are a magnificent reminder of the beauty of the natural world. It is, fortunately, a low-maintenance houseplant.

How do you look after Calathea vittata?

What you should know is that, while Calathea Vittata is not as demanding as other Calathea species, it is not the easiest to grow.

Calathea vittata should be handled with care. It is vital for the plant’s growth to provide an appropriate growing environment. The following are some tips for caring for your Calathea vittata.

Calatheas grow in jungles and tropical woodlands where it rains regularly, resulting in high humidity.

This attractive plant grows to a height of 60 cm and has light-green elliptic lines on its leaves.

Because they are so little, they do not receive direct sunlight in the jungle and should not be exposed to direct or very bright light.

The dirt in the container should always be damp. They must be watered on a regular basis, which means that they must be watered often but not excessively (every 2 or 3 days).

Irrigation water should be filtered or distilled since chlorine, salt, and fluoride are all harmful to Calathea Vittata.

How much light does a Calathea Vittata need?

Calathea Vittata has very particular illumination requirements.

As attractive as the plant appears, it is vital that it get the nutrition it requires.

It is vital to have a bright environment with indirect light when it comes to lighting. If there is too much or too little light, it will be dissatisfied.

As a result, avoid direct sunlight and lengthy periods of bright sunlight, such as those found in the afternoon. If you keep it in these conditions, the leaves will burn.

As a result, a window facing east is favoured, followed by a window facing west. Although the light in the west must be filtered in the afternoon.

Insufficient light or gloomy surroundings, on the other hand, will lead the plant to grow leggy. If it becomes too dark, it inhibits its development and affects the growth and colour of its leaves.

How often should I water Calathea Vittata?

Water is another aspect of Calathea Vittata care that the plant is quite fussy about.

It demands wet (but not soggy) soil during the warm months. As a result, you must water it on a regular basis from May to August.

However, when winter approaches, you must make changes; otherwise, watering at the same frequency may result in overwatering. This is due to the fact that cold weather causes soil to dry up more slowly.

As a result, before watering, you should thoroughly inspect the soil.

Insert your finger two inches into the dirt to test it. Before watering, it must be fully dry at least two inches from the top.

To determine the quantity of moisture in the air, use a moisture meter. This gadget can tell you how much moisture is in the soil.

All you have to do is stick the probe into the ground.

You’re probably overwatering if you notice the plant’s leaves turning yellow. However, if the leaves are drooping, curling, or look to be dry, the plant wants more water.

Making changes to your watering schedule as soon as possible may help you avoid more serious problems later.

Another important element to remember while cultivating this plant is to avoid using tap water. Most cities add varied amounts of chemicals, such as calcium and fluoride, to their water.

As a result, the levels may get too high for the plant to withstand on occasion. Furthermore, after a while, its leaves will begin to curl.

As a consequence, rainfall or distilled water are ideal for your Calathea Vittata. You may also leave tap water at room temperature for at least 24 hours to allow pollutants to evaporate.

This is a simpler answer since many areas receive little rainfall and distilled water becomes expensive after a while.

Can Calathea vittata be brought outdoors?

The genus Calathea is endemic to the tropics. There are a few hurdles to consider while deciding whether or not to grow Calathea Vittata outdoors.

These plants are only hardy in USDA hardiness zones 11 and 12, which encompass Southern Florida and Hawaii.

Calathea grows best in temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and should never be exposed to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to The Spruce.

Because their natural light source is filtered light shining through the canopy of a tropical jungle, they like indirect, filtered light, and even shadow.

They should never be in direct sunlight. Calathea vittata in pots should not be carried outside during the warmer months, either.

Why my Calathea vittata are leaves curling?

Curled leaves on any Calathea plant might suggest overwatering or too much light.

Because the leaves curl to conserve water, the first thing you should do is inspect the soil; if it is dry, this might be the culprit, so water your plant right away.

If the earth is wet, look for the source of the light. Perhaps your plant’s location is too light. Consider moving it or shading it with the leaves of other plants if this is the case.

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How often do you repot Calathea Vittata?

Pruning and repotting Calathea Vittata are quite similar. It is not necessary for you to do so on a regular basis.

This translates to once every two years. Although a lot will depend on its living conditions, because it will develop at a variable rate depending on how much or how little of the above-mentioned components it receives.

You can repot the plant at any time. However, I prefer to do it in early spring.

The most important criterion is to choose a day that is neither too cold nor too hot, since this would add stress to the shock already suffered during the transplanting surgery.

Furthermore, it is vital to give it with proper living conditions following the shock, as it will need this time to recover.

Only when the plant outgrows its container does repotting become required. The most visible sign of development is when its roots begin to sprout from the bot’s bottom holes.

Finally, because you will be removing the plant from the container anyhow, this is an opportune opportunity to propagate it.

Do Calathea Vittata needs fertilizers?

Along with light and water, fertilizer is another part of the Calathea Vittata that, if not done properly, can cause the plant to suffer.

Fertilizer is necessary for the development of beautiful green and white leaves on the plant. Excessive fertilization or application on a regular basis might result in yellow leaves, wilting, or death.

This is because fertilizer is a chemical compound. Additionally, they will leave a salt residue in the soil that will be damaging to the plant as it accumulates.

Throughout the plant’s active growing season, I prefer to fertilize once a month using a balanced liquid fertilizer (spring and summer). Then come to a complete stop. There is no need to feed the plant during the fall and winter.

Additionally, each time you use it, dilute it by half. To do this, dilute the fertilizer with a liter of distilled water.

Do Calathea Vittata likes pruning?

Pruning is a low priority chore when it comes to Calathea Vittata care.

It is vital to note that I label it as such not because it is trivial. Rather than that, because light, watering, and fertilizer all have a significant effect on the plant, these are the most critical factors to monitor.

Pruning is frequently used for aesthetic purposes.

You’ll want to trim the plant to keep it tidy or to retain the shape and appearance you like.

Removing brown and yellow leaves will almost certainly take some time as well.

This is because leaves turn yellow or brown as they mature. As so, this is normal.

However, if you notice more than one or two leaves changing colour simultaneously, something is wrong.

Yellow leaves typically indicate an excess of sunshine, water, or fertilizer. Therefore, in addition to pruning the leaves, you must troubleshoot by elimination, beginning with the lightest.

Apart from this, there is little upkeep required other than wiping the leaves with a moist towel once every two to four weeks to remove dust.

Is Calathea Vittata prone to pests?

Calathea Vittata is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it may be the target of these creatures.

The most prevalent are spider mites, which might be a concern if they damage our plant. That is because they are attracted to the lush, big leaves of tropical plants.

As such, if you come across them or the damage they cause, urgent treatment is critical. You may accomplish this with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Additionally, mealybugs and aphids are often seen pests. Both are also treatable with the same medicines.

Do Calathea Vittata likes being repotted?

When you are growing Calathea Vittata you are facing different problems and various difficulties that your plant is fighting with.

It is not enough to encourage your Calathea to flourish; you must also ensure its health and safety. Once it has grown too large, it is time to repot it.

The procedure is fairly straightforward. All you need to do is fill a larger container with wet, mixed soil that your Calathea like.

Move some soil carefully around her and gently take it out. Then replant it in the next container in the same manner as you did in the previous one.

If you do not have the larger pot and do not intend to purchase one because to the abundance of small and medium pots, you can propagate your Calathea Vittata by division in the small pots as indicated above.

Repotting is critical since your plant’s roots are delicate and can become tangled and harmed. Because the roots are required for the plant to collect nutrients from the soil, they should be cared for.

Calatheas require repotting every two years in the early spring before they resume growth.