Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ care guide

In this guide you'll learn: How to care for your Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ plant and
answers to FAQs to keep your plant happy

In this guide you'll learn: How to care for your plant, how & where to buy the Calathea 'Flamestar' and answers to FAQs to keep your plant happy

The Calathea ‘Flamestar’ is a house plant with incredibly stunning deep and bold green on green leaf patterns, sure to freshen up any home or office. It hails from the tropical areas of Central and South America and is a cultivar of the Calathea roseoptica and shares many easy-to-care-for traits.

While its full and correct name is Calathea roseoptica ‘Flamestar’ it is often confused with both Calathea Medallion and Calathea Veitchiana ‘Flamestar’. Some common names exist such as the ‘prayer plant’ and these are shared with other Calatheas. In addition the descriptive name of ‘living plant’ is also used, this is because the leaves move and fold up at night, making for the feeling that the plant is truly alive. 

Although this plant could survive outside under the right summer conditions, it is more ideally suited for indoors, making it perfect for the home and office. It likes a little humidity owing to its rainforest roots and should be watered weekly most of the time. 

With its easy care requirements, the Calathea ‘Flamestar’ is perfect for the beginner, but if you need to read further then check out our full care guide, or take a look at the buyer’s guide further down this page.

Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ In The House & Office

Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ is like other Calathea varieties and requires a good amount of natural light during the day, just like that of its home on the rainforest floor. Fortunately, the indoor environments in the home and office can mimic this. 

The plant can be placed around five feet (1.5m) from a south-facing window or a couple of feet (0.5m) from west, east and north-facing windows. 

The plant can be placed in a duller location but it will need to be supplemented with additional light. Artificial lights can help with this and you should aim for a lux range of 10,000 to 20,000. You can use a light meter to measure this or with the many phone apps available.

The Calathea ‘Flamestar’ can help keep the air in your room clean and healthy. It naturally produces a decent amount of oxygen and humidity which makes it great for the home and office.

Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ Size

Height: 80-100cm / 31-39in / 2.6-3.2ft

Spread: 50-60cm / 20-24in /1.6-2ft

Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ Care

Light: For six to eight hours of the day your Calathea ‘Flamestar’ should be provided with bright indirect light. If you notice that the leaf patterns start to fade then your plan should be moved further away from the light source. Be warned, leaving a plant in direct sunlight can cause damage to the leaves.

Soil: Well-draining regular potting compost is perfect for your ‘Flamestar’, using peat-free and organic compost also helps the environment. Your soil should drain well and never let your plant sit in water as this can cause root rot. Add perlite to the mix if you find that you require increased drainage.

Watering: Watering the plant can usually be done once per week but be sure to check that it really needs it. You should wait until the top inch (2.4cm) of soil is dry which you can test with your finger before watering, alternatively, you can get a soil moisture meter.

Humidity: If you live in a really dry environment then you may need to help provide your Calathea ‘Flamestar’  with more humidity. The easiest way to do this is through regular misting with water using a spray bottle. or another way is to stand the plant’s pot on a wet tray of pebbles. For extreme situations, you may need to purchase a humidifier.

Feeding: It’s recommended that you don’t feed your plant during winter or autumn, and only lightly in spring. Summer is the main time to feed your plant using organic fertilisation. When the plant stops sprouting new growth then it’s time to stop feeding.

Temperature: Calathea Flame star enjoys warm temperatures and standard room temperature should do fine (20°C/68°F). An ideal range is 18-24°C / 64-75°C, but be sure that it never drops below 15°C / 59°F as this will negatively affect your plant.

Ailments: Browning on the edge of the leaves can be a sign of low humidity and additional steps should be taken, fading leaf patterns could indicate too much sun and the plant should be moved.

Calathea ‘Flamestar’ is also susceptible to the difficult-to-rid pest, spider mites. These tiny bugs are very small and difficult to see. and it’s easier to identify their presence via the thin webbing they leave behind or the smaller holes left in the leaves. The best treatment is to mix a solution of a couple of drops of dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray the plant thoroughly and repeat every three days until the spider mites are gone.

As the plant has large leaves it can be susceptible to collecting dust over time. Once in a while, it is best to remove accumulated dust carefully with a damp cloth.

Further care: If you’ve already got your plant and you’re looking for detailed care information then be sure to check out our Full Calathea ‘Flamestar’ Care Guide.

Where To Buy Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ Online

  • Ebay (UK) / (USA)
  • Etsy
  • Bloombox Club (UK) / (USA)
  • Local Facebook Groups
  • Instagram
  • Other online stores

Finding sellers of the Calathea ‘Flamestar’ online is fairly easy as availability isn’t scarce, however, you should always choose a reputable seller. A plant purchase is always more reliable when you choose a vendor that has good reviews or plenty of good feedback.

With online marketplaces such as eBay or Etsy, you can have a little more peace of mind by reading a seller’s feedback or reviews prior to buying from them. With that in mind, you should always inspect any images and read the detail in the description so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Due to the nature of sending a living thing through the postal system, you can expect that sometimes a plant may arrive with a small amount of damage. You should however be ready to complain and return if this damage is excessive especially when it’s due to poor packaging. If you notice that the condition of the plant is bad due to neglect then it’s also advisable to get right back to the seller.

Of additional importance when receiving any new plant is to closely look for any pests on the plant. It can be best practice to isolate all new plants from any others for at least two weeks to be on the safe side.

FAQ

How do you care for a Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’?

To take the best care of your Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ you should first take care of its main needs which are water, light, humidity and temperature. Once these are met then you can move on to the secondary factors such as feeding, soil type and ailments like pests and diseases.

Focusing on the primary concerns make sure your ‘Flamestar’ is placed in bright indirect sunlight, and not too close to south-facing windows. Next be sure to water your plant weekly, when the top inch of soil is dry. Humidity might be to low if the edges of the leaves start to brown, supplement with a regular spray of water. Finally, keep the temperature around 20°C (68°F) and don’t let it drop any lower than 15°C (59°F).

Should I mist my Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’?

You will not always need to mist a Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’, it will depend on environmental conditions. Misting is only required if a room’s air is really dry. A tell-tale sign of low humidity is when the edges of the leaves start to brown, at the first sign of this mist the plant with water. If you don’t wish to get to that point then it’s a good idea to invest in a humidity meter and check to make sure humidity is no less than 50%. Any lower then it’s a good idea to mist the plant once a week in winter and daily at all other times.

As an alternative to misting there are other methods to increase humidity. Placing the plant in a higher humidity environment is easier, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Placing the plant pot on a tray of wet pebbles is another method. Finally grouping plants together can also lead to increased humidity.

Are Calathea roseopicta ‘Flamestar’ easy to take care of?

Yes, Calathea rosepicta ‘Flamestar’ are relatively easy to look after. There are certainly easier to care for plants but the ‘Flamestar’ should not be difficult so long as you’re meeting the basic care needs of water, light, humidity and temperature. Those who already have experience of looking after plants should find it a breeze.

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About the Author

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A passionate plant lover and houseplant connoisseur with a rich family background in horticulture. With experience in plant nurseries and garden centers, Jonathan has cultivated a diverse collection of leafy friends and explored native flora on adventures such as trips to South America. His mission is to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for plants, creating a greener and happier world for all.


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