PlantFiles: Calathea
Calathea ornata

I have grown ornata for about five years. Since I live in N FL I grow outside in warm weather and in a heated greenhouse in winter, so no indoor experience. I find that all my Calatheas like regular heavy wetting of the leaves except during dark, cool periods. I fertilize regularly but at half strength (run off from my orchids). I have also found that Calatheas and related genera like to be repotted regularly even if not potted up. Also, don't despair if one of your plants goes into a funk, even for a couple of years. For some reason my ornata went into a deep decline for about 2 yrs, but I persisted, potting into a smaller container w/ a very good peaty, well-draining soil (I use a lot of large-size perlite and charcoal. Eventually it came out of it and is full and beautiful now. The only problem I've had is with spider mites, but they were easy to eliminate

The color variation of this plant is very eye catching. The leaves are purple on the back side and stripped on the front... Very Beautiful Houseplant.