Why are the leaves curling?

It usually means the plant is too dry or the humidity is too low.

It is better to use filtered or distilled water, as it is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine.

Plant guide

Pinstripe Calathea.

Calathea ornata (Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Pronounced go-EP-er-tee-uh or-NAY-tuh

Also known as Calathea ornata, Pin-stripe calathea

Pin-stripe calathea — Photo by Royal Botanic Gardens (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This stunning tropical plant is famous for its dark, glossy leaves marked with delicate pink or white pinstripes. It thrives in humid environments and adds a touch of elegance to any indoor space. You will love how its leaves fold up at night like they are praying.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but occasionally in late summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. High humidity is essential, so consider using a pebble tray or humidifier to keep those leaf edges from browning. Watch for curling leaves, which often signal that the plant is thirsty or the air is too dry.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or brown leaves at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound, usually every year or two.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface of the soil for too long.
The plant has stopped growing during the active season.

Safety

People: This plant is non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is non toxic to both cats and dogs.
Children: The leaves are sturdy but can be a choking hazard if small pieces are ingested by children.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Dark green lance shaped leaves
Distinctive pink or white pinstripes
Deep purple undersides of leaves
Leaves fold up at night

Height: 0.6 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, pink, white, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that thrive in dry air and cause stippling on leaves.
Leaf tip burn · Brown edges often caused by low humidity or tap water chemicals.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents during winter. Maintain high humidity levels as indoor air becomes dry.
In containers: It thrives in containers and prefers a pot with drainage holes that is just slightly larger than its root ball.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Carefully separate the root ball into sections with at least one leaf.
Repot the sections into fresh, well draining potting mix.

Group moisture loving plants together to create a humid microclimate in your home.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns create a microclimate that helps maintain the humidity this plant loves.

Similar species

Rattlesnake Plant · It is a close relative with similar care needs and striking foliage.

Science

Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Goeppertia
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical South America.
Conservation: Not currently listed as endangered in its native habitat.

It grows on the shaded forest floor, where it relies on high humidity and filtered light.

Uses: indoor ornamental, air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves curling?: It usually means the plant is too dry or the humidity is too low.
Can I use tap water?: It is better to use filtered or distilled water, as it is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine.

Where the name comes from

It was formerly classified as Calathea ornata, but was reclassified into the genus Goeppertia to honor the German botanist Heinrich Robert Goeppert.

Good to know

It is native to the rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela.
The pinstripe patterns on the leaves are naturally occurring and quite striking.
It prefers indirect light to keep its colors vibrant.

Also in

Low-light houseplants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 27, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.