Goeppertia elliptica Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Problems & Fixes

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Goeppertia elliptica (Calathea vittata) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Calathea Vittata also called Calathea elliptica is one of the popular Calathea varieties and bears elliptical, bright-green leaves with distinctive white stripes and burgundy-purple undersides.

Goeppertia elliptica is among favored plants for the office space and has become a favorite recently that will truly stand out in any plant collection.

Botanical name: Calathea vittata
Synonym: Goeppertia elliptica, Calathea elliptica
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Elliptica

Origin

Calathea elliptica is native to the tropical forests in Brazil and South America where it grows as an understory plant. It is among popular tropical foliage plants that you can grow in the home, office or any other suitable place.

Size

Goeppertia elliptica grows to a height of about 1-1.5 feet and about 1 foot wide.

Flower

Calathea vittata is not grown for the flower but for its pretty foliage and it is unlikely to flower under room conditions.

Is Calathea vittata pet-friendly?

Yes. Calathea vittata like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe for cats, dogs and other pets in the home and any other space.

Related Plants

Calathea vittata is related to the Marantas, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe which are collectively called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night.

Where to Buy

Calathea elliptica are outstanding plants for your collection. You may get these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to care for Goeppertia elliptica indoors?

To care for Goeppertia elliptica indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-28⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Calathea elliptica care requires repotting when it has become pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How do you water Goeppertia elliptica?

Water your Goeppertia elliptica liberally during the growing season (spring and summer) and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping and yellowing leaves.

Lessen watering in the cold season (fall and winter) as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent yellowing and drooping leaves.

Use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock which can result in reduced growth and death of the plant. Use water that is free of chlorine and flourides to prevent brown leaf tips and edges.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to yellowing, wilting, root-rot and death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Where should I put Calathea vittata in my house?

Calathea vittata grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Put it near a brightly-lit window away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves. Avoid too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade and appear washed out.

If your plant is getting curled leaves, leggy growth, or losing its stripes, the light is not enough. Move the plant infront of a large, well-lit window or consider investing in grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home.

For even growth and to prevent unbalanced growth, regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.

Temperature & Humidity

Goeppertia elliptica prefers a warmth of 18-28⁰C. Below this range, the plant stops growing while above this range the plant may die.

Keep the plant away from drafts sources like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot stoves and others as they can cause sudden changes in temperature which can result in curled leaves, drooping, stunted growth and death of the plant.

Calathea elliptica prospers in a humidity of 60-80%. Low humidity can lead to brown leaf tips and edges. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity for the optimum growth of the plant.

To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium. On account of its compact size and requirement for humid conditions, Calathea vittata is one of the best plants for a closed terrarium.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for Calathea vittata?

Feed your Calathea vittata with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks through out the growing season (spring and summer) for a lush growth.

Withhold feeding in the cold season (fall and winter) as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn resulting in brown leaf tips and edges.

Flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil every 1-2 months by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.

Soil

What kind of soil does Goeppertia elliptica like?

Goeppertia elliptica likes a rich, light, airy, and well-draining soil that retains moisture but does not get soggy. A blend of 1 part peat moss or coconut coir (for moisture retention), 1 part perlite (to improve drainage) and 1 part potting soil (to provide nutrients) is perfect for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Calathea vittata every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), when it becomes root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.

Select a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting and death of the plant. Check out these self waatering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.

Before repotting, water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

If the plant is large and has outgrown its current pot, divide it into several sections and use the splits to propagate new plants.

Repotting may cause the leaves to droop but the plant will eventually recover once it takes root; in about 3-4 weeks.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Calathea elliptica involves removal of dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. It also discourages pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves at the base with a sharp knife or pair of scissors, where the leaf meets the stalk.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Goeppertia elliptica Propagation

Calathea vittata is easily propagated by plant division during repotting. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season in spring as the plant is in the active growing phase which hastens establishment. Learn how to propagate Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica Propagation).

Goeppertia elliptica Problems & Remedies

Calathea vittata problems are brown leaf tips, curling leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Calathea vittata are caused by low humidity, spidermites infestation, hard water or salts buildup.

How to fix it

Low humidity: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier. You can also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.

Spider mites infestation: Regularly check betwwen and underneath the leaves for pests and carry out timely corrective measures.

Use of hard water: Use rain water, filtered water or distilled water.

Salts buidup: Once in a while, flush out these salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.

Curling leaves

Curling leaves on Calathea vittata are caused by overwatering, soggy soil, underwatering, direct sunlight, too little light, temperature stress or overfeeding.

How to fix it

Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry.

Soggy soil: Pot the plant in free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Underwatering: Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Exposure to direct sunlight: Place the plant in a shaded place or use a light curtain to filter the sunlight.

Too little light: Position the plant infront a large bright window where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant from drafts emanating from hot stoves, AC units, drafty windows, windy doors among others.

Overfeeding: Take care not to overfertilize. Feed monthly in spring and summer. Do not feed in fall and winter.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Calathea vittata are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients or too little light.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil. In addition, empty the saucer after watering.

Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.

Lack of nutrients: Fertilize the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Too little light: Place the plant where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is too low.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Calathea vittata are caused by dry air, improper watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, being root-bound among others.

Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It.

Plant dying

Calathea vittata is dying due to due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, low humidity, pests infestations, root-rot among others.

Take a look at these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.

Pests

Commoon pests of Calathea vittata are mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.


3. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned and raise humidity to discourage pest infestation.


5. Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to heighten humidity.

Diseases

Calathea vittata is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows. The disease is characterized by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo (brown, soft leaf spots).

How to fix it

1. Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturers instructions.


3. Maintain the plant on the dry side for some time and ensure good air flow.


4. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

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