If you have found your way here, you must be the proud plant parent to a Calathea Majestica White Star, scientific name, Goeppertia Majestica. Congratulations! These beautiful tropical plants can be a stunning addition to your home or office but require a certain kind of care.
It can be frustrating when you feel like you are trying your hardest but can’t keep your plants alive, and there is an overwhelming amount of conflicting information on how to best engage in Calathea care.
Don’t worry! Below, we will break down the straightforward information you need to keep your Calathea alive for years to come. We will help you ensure it thrives and grows!
With some simple-to-follow advice, you can learn the signs and symptoms of when your plant is feeling less than its best and the tools and solutions you need to care for it without worrying you are doing something wrong.
Calathea Majestica White Star’s Origin & Discovery
With striped foliage and stunning burgundy undersides, the Calathea Majestica White Star may be one of the most beautiful of all houseplants. It was first discovered in 1822 by a German botanist.
Its durable waxy leaves were traditional to make baskets and transport fish and rice in South America, a tradition still used in many regions today. They are native plants to the rainforests of Brazil.
One of the larger Calathea varieties, its striking pattern, and subtle blush pinky hues make it a great statement plant. They are not known to be beginner-friendly plants, but they are a stunning addition to your home or office and well worth the effort with the proper care.
How to Care For the Calathea Majestica White Star
1. Light
The Majestica White Star prefers bright, indirect light. They will tolerate some shade, but this will cause the leaves’ variegation to fade.
Direct sunlight can cause leaves to burn and fade, so be sure to shield them from the direct sun.
You may need to experiment with the perfect spot for this plant baby. A spot with soft filtered light like that of early morning sun is ideal. Your White Star will love a sunrise each morning.
If afternoon sun is your only option, try placing your plant at a window that has a sheer curtain. This mimics how a rainforest canopy would filter light to the plants below.
2. Best Soil and Mixture
Your Calathea prefers to be in well-draining potting soil or mixture. A soil that is too dense or stays saturated for too long is not a good fit for a Calathea.
You want to look for ingredients like:
● coco coir
● pine bark
● worm castings
● perlite
These provide the nutrients your plants need while retaining the proper moisture. This plant can be prone to root rot, so good aeration is critical. Always use media that is fast-draining.
Your local gardening store should be able to help you with the suitable soil for your White Star.
3. Temperature
Your Calathea is a warmth lover so prefers temperatures ideally in the range of 65-80°F (15-29°C). A native to the rainforest, mimicking the conditions it would find there is a surefire way to keep your Calathea healthy and happy.
This means keeping it away from any doors or windows that may be drafty in the fall and winter. Cold damage can happen very quickly and be hard to recover from for this tropical foliage.
4. Humidity
Your White Star has tropical origins, so it craves humidity. It will be delighted in a bathroom, kitchen, or any location where humidity is between 60-70%.
You can also place the pot on a tray of pebbles that you keep filled with water, mist your plant regularly or keep a humidifier nearby.
If you notice brown leaf tips, it is a sign of low humidity affecting your plant. This can happen easily if you place it close to radiators or any dry heat source in the fall and winter.
If you do not keep this plant in the bathroom, a simple suggestion is to place it in there while you shower at least once a week. It will appreciate the humidity that is gathered in the room.
5. Watering
It is best to water when the top 1″ of soil feels dry. This is most likely every 1-2 weeks, depending on your light conditions. The brighter the light, the more often you will have to water.
The foliage can be damaged by high concentrations of fluoride in tap water. To avoid this, you can water with bottled or distilled water or even collected rainwater.
6. Fertilizer
This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing. It is actually more beneficial to under-fertilize than overfertilize as fertilizers can deposit a lot of salt into the soil.
A slow-release fertilizer is best and only in the Spring and Summer (April-October) to keep your Calathea thriving. Apply every few weeks and DO NOT fertilize in the winter.
7. Size & Growth
The White Star can typically grow 15-30″ in height and has a width of 12-18″. They are moderately fast-growing.
To help with growth, you can regularly prune, removing any dead or yellow leaves. This encourages your White Star to grow taller and produce more foliage.
8. Repotting
You should repot your Calathea once every two years in the springtime and make sure to use soil that is a perlite mix to hold moisture and drain well.
It is time to repot when you start to notice roots poking out of your pot or you notice drooping leaves even when watered correctly.
If your goal is to allow your plant to grow bigger, you will want to repot in a container that is at least 2-3 inches bigger than the original.
If you have just purchased your Goeppertia Majestica, you may be tempted to repot it soon after getting it home. It is best to wait before doing this. Bringing a new plant home always stresses it, and you want it to be acclimated to the environment of your home before doing so.
9. Best Way to Propagate Calathea White Star
The best way to propagate your Calathea is to divide the plant when it is repotting time in the spring. When removing the plant to repot it, gently separate the plant where there are natural separations in the roots.
Calatheas tend to have very fragile roots, so be as gentle as possible to prevent damage to the roots. If the roots become too tangled, make sure to cut them with a clean pair of sharp shears. Do not tear at the roots to separate them.
The good news is that this plant is a moderately fast grower, so you should be able to propagate several new plants off of the original. A Calathea Majestic White Star that you propagate can make a perfect gift for the plant lovers in your life!
10. Plant Toxicity
This is a pet-friendly plant. If you have dogs or cats, you can rest easy by adding this plant to your collection.
Even though considered non-toxic, it is always a safe bet to keep houseplants away from children and pets that may be curious about chewing on the leaves or eating the potting soil.
11. Common Pests, Diseases, and Issues
There are a few pests you will want to watch out for. These include spider mites, mealybugs, and leaf scales. You can treat these by doing weekly sprays of a natural pesticide like neem oil.
Regularly wiping down your plant’s leaves can help prevent pest infestations as well. You can do this simply with a damp cloth dipped in a solution of mild soap and water.
Below are a few other common signs and symptoms that something may be going on with your White Star:
● Wilting, curling leaves, dry soil Cause: Underwatering or low humidity levels
● Yellowing leaves, black base, wet soil Cause: Overwatering
● Leaf spots Cause: Fungal infection or tap water mineral buildup-switch to distilled water
FAQ
Q. Is the Calathea White Star considered a Rare Plant?
This plant is considered a rare variety and is a symbol of new beginnings. The English saying “to turn over a new leaf” originates from this species of plants because they close their leaves at night and re-open in the morning, indicating a fresh start.
Q. Calathea Majestica White Star vs. Calathea Ornata – What’s the Difference?
The Calathea Ornata is also called the Calathea Pinstripe or Pinstripe plant. It has dark green leaves with thin white strips, similar to the pinstripes you see on suits.
The Majestica White Star has thicker stripes of white, many of which flow into one another. Both are beautiful plants with tropical origins.
In Summary
Hopefully, the above information makes you feel more comfortable about Calathea care.
With the proper knowledge and tools, you will have a beautiful and thriving Calathea Majestica White Star that will be the envy of all your plant-obsessed friends and family for years to come.
