Pinstripe Calathea
Goeppertia ornata
The Pinstripe Calathea is a striking prayer plant with dark green leaves finely lined in pink or white, like delicate pinstripes. Beautiful but demanding, it rewards careful humidity and watering with vivid foliage.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Water
- Keep evenly moist
- Difficulty
- Hard
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Overview
Pinstripe Calathea, botanically Goeppertia ornata (formerly Calathea ornata), is famed for its glossy, elongated leaves marked with thin pink or white lines that radiate from the midrib. The undersides are a rich purple.
Like other members of the Marantaceae family, it performs nyctinasty — folding its leaves upward at night and lowering them during the day. It is gorgeous but considered fussy, requiring consistent moisture, humidity, and clean water.
How to identify it
Recognize the Pinstripe Calathea by:
- Leaves: large, oval to elliptical, dark glossy green with fine pink or white pinstripe lines
- Undersides: deep purple-maroon
- Movement: leaves rise at night and lower during the day (prayer-plant behavior)
- Habit: clumping, upright to slightly arching, typically 1-2 feet tall
- New leaves: often unfurl with brighter pink striping that may fade with age
Care & growing
Light: Bright, indirect light only; direct sun fades the stripes and scorches leaves.
Water: Keep evenly moist, never soggy or bone-dry. Sensitive to minerals — use filtered, distilled, or rainwater.
Soil: Light, well-draining, moisture-retentive mix.
Temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C); avoid cold drafts.
Humidity: High humidity (60%+) is essential; use a humidifier or pebble tray.
Feeding: Diluted fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.
Propagation: Divide the clump during repotting.
Habitat & origin
Native to the tropical rainforests of South America, particularly Colombia and surrounding regions, where it grows on the warm, humid, shaded forest floor.
It is grown worldwide as an indoor plant but needs conditions that mimic its humid native habitat, making terrariums and greenhouse cabinets popular options.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the pinstripes fading?
Faded stripes are usually caused by too much direct light or aging leaves. Provide bright but indirect light to keep the markings vivid.
Why do the leaf edges turn brown and crispy?
Crispy edges typically result from low humidity or mineral-heavy tap water. Raise humidity and switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater.
Why do the leaves move up and down?
This is natural prayer-plant behavior (nyctinasty). Leaves rise at night and lower during the day in response to light.
Pinstripe Calathea guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Pinstripe Calathea.
