How to Grow Calathea roseopicta? Latest Care Guide Explained

Calathea roseopicta, also known as red rose calathea, red-backed calathea, large peacock calathea, etc., is a perennial evergreen herbaceous foliage plant of the genus Calathea in the family Marantaceae, native to Brazil, and has been introduced and cultivated in China. Because this plant is shade-tolerant, it is very suitable for indoor decoration, beautification and greening of the home, and has relatively high ornamental value for cultivation. Now let us take a look at how to grow Calathea roseopicta!

Growth Habits of Calathea roseopicta

Calathea roseopicta prefers a warm and humid environment, and dislikes exposure to direct sunlight. It is not heat-tolerant and dislikes high temperatures, and it is not cold-tolerant. It dislikes drought. The suitable growth temperature is 18-25°C. The plant is dwarf and clump-forming, with poor tillering ability. The leaf stalks grow directly on the underground stems, with no main root. When potting, it is best to choose a shallow pot with a wider body. Slightly acidic leaf mold soil as the growing medium is most beneficial for rhizome growth and for forming a lush plant.

Propagation Methods of Calathea roseopicta

1. Division: Calathea roseopicta is generally propagated by division. Propagation is most ideal in spring when the temperature is around 20°C, but as long as the temperature and humidity are suitable, it can also be done throughout the year. During propagation, use a sharp knife to cut apart the root blocks with stems and leaves or leaf buds. For small-scale propagation, the cut root blocks with stems, leaves and leaf buds can be placed directly into clay pots. For large-scale propagation, they should be placed on a seedbed. When the temperature and humidity cannot meet the requirements, cover them with plastic film. Be sure to make the temperature inside the film reach 20-28°C and the humidity above 80%.

2. Cuttings: For cutting propagation, generally use tender tip shoots. The cuttings are 10-15 cm long. Depending on leaf size, retain one-third or one-half of the leaves. Treat the cuttings with 500 ppm naphthalene acetic acid for 2-3 seconds, or use indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid and ABT rooting powder. After treatment, insert the cuttings into the seedbed, preferably with a plant and row spacing of 5×10 cm. Cover with an arched plastic film, and manage in the same way as for division propagation. Cutting propagation can be carried out at any time when the temperature is not lower than 20°C. The cuttings root in 30-50 days, but the survival rate of cuttings is not as high as that of division propagation, generally around 50%.

How to Grow Calathea roseopicta

1. Soil: Calathea roseopicta prefers well-drained, fertile, loose, slightly acidic leaf mold soil or potting soil. The potting soil should preferably be made from humus soil and compost plus 1/3 river sand or wood shavings, with a pH value of 5.5-7.2.

2. Temperature: The optimal growth temperature for Calathea roseopicta is 20-25°C. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 15°C. Below 10°C, the aboveground part gradually dies.

3. Light: Calathea roseopicta dislikes exposure to direct sunlight. In summer and autumn, shade is needed. If the sunlight is too strong, the leaf color easily becomes dull and dry; if the light is too weak, the leaf texture becomes thinner and lacks luster, losing its beauty. In winter, it should be given sufficient sunlight.

4. Water: Calathea roseopicta prefers a humid environment. During the high-temperature period in summer and autumn, the potting soil should often be kept moist; otherwise, the leaf margins will become scorched and growth will be poor. In addition to watering once a day, misting should also be increased so that the relative air humidity remains at 85-90%.

5. Fertilizer: During the growing period, apply a dilute fertilizer once a week to Calathea roseopicta, with a concentration equivalent to mixing 3-4 grams of urea into each kilogram of water, and alternately apply 3 grams of urea plus 1 gram of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, or a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer of similar concentration. Diluted decomposed cake fertilizer water can also be applied. Avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer alone. Stop fertilizing in winter.

6. Pests and diseases: Calathea roseopicta does not have many pests and diseases. The main pests include scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with 25% imidam phosphate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution or 40% omethoate at 1500 times dilution. Common diseases include leaf spot and rust, which can be prevented and controlled by spraying 2-3 times with 200 times Bordeaux mixture or 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution.

7. Overwintering: When the cold winter arrives, besides paying attention to keeping warm, watering should be strictly controlled. At this time, if the potting soil is too wet, it easily causes rhizome rot; if the potting soil is slightly dry, the leaves may wither. When the weather warms up in spring, new leaves will emerge again. When the new leaves begin to sprout, do not water too much either. Only as the new leaves increase should the amount of watering be gradually increased.