Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica) Indoor Care and Common Problems with Fixes
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Calathea vittata also called Goeppertia elliptica blossoms in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Goeppertia elliptica is one of the popular Calathea varieties and bears elliptical, bright-green leaves with distinctive white stripes and burgundy-purple undersides.
Calathea vittata is among the best 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
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Elliptica
Origin
Calathea vittata is native to the tropical forests in Brazil and South America where it grows as an understory plant. It is among the best 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 which makes it one of the best low-light plants for the limited spaces.
Flower
Calathea vittata is not grown for the flower but for its pretty foliage and it is unlikely to flower under room conditions.
Toxicity
Goeppertia elliptica like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors.
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
Goeppertia elliptica are outstanding plants for your collection. You may get these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Calathea vittata Care Indoors
Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica) prefers medium to bright indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Goeppertia elliptica only 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
Water Calathea vittata liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.
Lessen watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock. The water should also be free of chlorine and flourides as Goeppertia elliptica like other Calathea is sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water which cause brown leaf tips and edges.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant.
To reduce fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases, avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Light Requirements
Goeppertia elliptica grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep ut away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching of the leaves. Avoid too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade to a appear washed out.
If the natural lighting is not adequate for this plant, consider investing in grow lights to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
For even growth and prevent lopsided growth, regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Temperature and Humidity
Calathea vittata prefers average warmth of 18-280C. At temperatures below this range, the plant stops growing while temperatures above this range may cause the plant to die.
Keep the plant away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature which the plant cannot tolerate and may cause it to die.
Goeppertia elliptica requires high humidity of 60-80% to thrive as low humidity results in brown leaf tips and edges. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity for the optimum growth of the plant. To up 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. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium. On account of its compact size and requirement for humid conditions, Calathea vittata is one of the best plants for a closed terrarium.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Calathea vittata with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks through out the growing season for lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil 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.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Goeppertia elliptica should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting soils are perfect for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Calathea vittata every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season when it becomes root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and loss 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
Pruning Calathea vittata is easy. Remove dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves at the base with a sharp knife or pair of scissors, where the leaf meets the stalk.
Propagation
Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica) 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.
Read more on how to propagate Calathea vittata (2 Ways of Goeppertia elliptica Propagation).
Calathea vittata Common Problems with Remedies
Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica) common problems include plant dying ,loss of leaf color, brown leaf tips, curled and yellow leaves, drooping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Plant dying
Calathea vittata may die due to root-rot, pests infestations, underwatering, wrong temperature, cold drafts, poor feeding, low humidity among other reasons.
Check out these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Pests
Goeppertia elliptica is prone to mealy bugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it appropriately with appropriate products. Learn how to identify and get rid of these pests.
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. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately immediately to minimize spread to the rest of the houseplants.
Drooping leaves
Calathea vittata drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air which results in too low humidity. The plant is very sensitive to low air humidity. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea vittata is incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering. Water the plant liberally and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season.
Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. In addition, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Goeppertia elliptica is that the plant is root-bound which means that the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant. Therefore, there is no water for the plant to take up to the leaves. The leaves loss their stiffness and they droop.
Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It
Leaves appear washed out
Calathea vittata washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it grows best in bright indirect light away from direct sunshine. Position the plant in a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.
Curled, yellowing leaves
Calathea vittata curled and yellowing leaves are caused by incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering. Overwatering causes the roots to die due to lack of oxygen in the soil. When the roots die they cannot take up water and therefore the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die.
Underwatering implies that there is too little moisture in the soil and therefore, the plant has no water to take up to the leaves. Thus, the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die if the situation is not corrected.
Water the Goeppertia elliptica thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Also, ascertian that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea vittata are due to four possible causes. One possible cause is dry air (too little humidity). To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. It can also be grown in the bathroom or other moist areas in the home where humidity is high.
The second cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea vittata which is accompanied by stunted growth is infestation by spider mites due to too dry air (low humidity). Remove the dead growth and raise humidity for the plant (as outlined above) to discourage the pest infestations.
The third cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea vittata is watering it with hard water. Water the plant with chlorine-free water only like rain water. Like other Calathea, it is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water and it responds with brown leaf tips and edges.
The fourth cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea vittata is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may have originated from the water or fertilizers used. Once in a while, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil 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.
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