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This tropical plant Calathea Pinstripe is an evergreen perennial and is a very appealing houseplant. It has a tendency to be fussy about some of its care requirements, but once they are mastered, it is actually an easy plant to care for.
How to Identify Pinstripe Plant
Since this plant has leaves that also fold up at night and lay flat in the morning it can be confused with a prayer plant. These two plants have different care requirements so it is important to identify which is which so they are cared for properly. The key identifiers of a Pinstripe Plant are:
- Leaves that are oval
- Leaves that are green with small white, creamy yellow, or light pink stripes on them (they resemble the stripes of a pinstripe suit)
- Leaves that are purplish-red on their underside
How to Grow Pinstripe Plant from Seed
It is a time-consuming and difficult process to grow a Calathea plant from seed, which is why it is not a common method used. However, with some patience, it can be done. The steps to growing a Pinstripe Plant from seed are:
- Purchase seeds from a reputable seller (sellers who price their seeds between $1 and $2)
- Create a mixture of soil and peat mixed with coarse sand (the ratio should 1:1 soil to peat/sand mixture)
- Fill a plant container with the soil and peat/sand mixture
- Place the seeds half an inch into the soil
- Lightly water the soil
- Cover the plant container with a plastic bag to retain moisture
- Set the plant container in a warm area that receives bright but indirect sunlight
- Remove the plastic bag for a few hours every other day to allow the seeds access to fresh air
- Once the seeds have germinated and sprouted to two inches tall, they can be transplanted to larger containers
How to Propagate Pinstripe Plant
This plant is best propagated in the spring or early summer to limit shock. The most common method used to propagate a Pinstripe Calathea is plant division. The steps for doing this are:
- Carefully remove the plant from its current container
- Gently pull apart the plant’s roots so that each root section has at least one leaf, or, use a sterile cutting utensil to divide the plant’s rhizome.
- Fill new plant containers with potting soil
- Place the plant sections into the new containers and spread the soil around their roots to secure them into the containers
- Water the new plants
- Place the plant in a warm area that receives plenty of bright, but indirect sunlight
- Cover the plants with a plastic bag
- Once the plants begin to grow in a few weeks, the plastic bag can be removed
Pinstripe Plant Growing Conditions
This plant is native to tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia and it prefers an environment that resembles its native lands. It should be set in an area that has temperatures that range between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity levels in its environment should be at least 50%. It is also recommended that it be kept away from cold drafts and air conditioner and heater vents.
A plant humidifier or pebble tray and a heat mat can be utilized to provide the heat and humidity this plant needs without creating an indoor environment that is uncomfortable for humans and pets.
How to Plant Pinstripe Plant
This type of plant should not need to be repotted very often. The repotting process will benefit the plant by providing it with fresh soil and more room for its root system to grow.
A plant that needs to be repotted will show the following signs:
- Slowed growth
- It requires more than two watering sessions a week
- Its roots are growing out of its container’s drainage holes
- Its foliage looks too heavy for its current container
Repotting should only be done in the spring or summer to reduce stress and the chance of shock. The steps for repotting a Pinstripe Plant are:
- Choose a plant container that is 2 inches larger in diameter than its current container
- Fill the plant container potting soil
- Create a hole in the soil for the plant to set inside
- Carefully remove the plant from its current container
- Gently dust off any excess soil from its roots
- Using a sterile cutting utensil, cut off any rotten roots
- Set the plant into the hole in the new container
- Spread the soil around so that the plant is secure in its new container
- Water the plant
- Set it in a warm spot with plenty of sunlight
Pinstripe Plant Potting & Soil
This plant requires soil that is breathable and drains water well but can still retain some moisture. It doesn’t like to sit in dry or soggy soil so it needs soil that will remain moist. The soil that contains big and chunky pieces of organic matter such as moss will provide air movement and drainage.
These are both great options to use for any Calathea plant:
Pinstripe Plant Water Requirements
Since this type of plant needs moist soil all the time, a plant watering app is recommended to help track when a plant has been watered, set reminders to water it, and get answers to common plant care questions. Tracking a plant’s water regimen may help prevent over or under-watering it.
Pinstripe Plant will not grow well in dry or soggy soil so the moisture of its soil will need to be checked regularly. If the top inch of its soil is dried out, it needs a drink. However, if the top inch of soil is soggy, it does not need a drink.
It is also very important that this plant is set in an environment with plenty of humidity. To supplement this necessary moisture, it should be misted regularly, set in a bathroom window, or provided with a humidifier.
Pinstripe Plant Light Requirements
This plant should be set in an area that receives plenty of bright but filtered or indirect sunlight. It should never be set in direct sunlight since this will cause it to dry out and burn. Use a light meter to ensure that this indoor plant is receiving adequate amounts of sunlight.
Best Pinstripe Plant Fertilizer
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to feed this plant once a month during spring and summer. The doses should be diluted to half strength. The following fertilizers are excellent choices for all varieties of Calathea plants:
Best Pinstripe Plant Companion Plantings
Clustering tropical plants is more than just an aesthetic style, it is plant health care. Plants are able to give off extra humidity and since this humidity is an essential need of tropical plants, clustering is one of the best ways to meet this need. The following three plants are just a sampling of the many wonderful tropical plants that would make an ideal companion planting for a Pinstripe Plant.
Calathea Freddie
This is a fussy, but lovely-looking plant from Brazil. It features leaves that are striped in dark and light shades of green, hence its nickname, Zebra Plant.
Light Requirements
Calathea Freddie is sensitive to sunlight and should not be set in direct sunlight. It will grow best when set in an area that receives plenty of bright, but indirect sunlight.
Soil Requirements
Calathea Freddie requires soil that is well-draining.
Water Requirements
Calathea Freddie requires precision watering. It needs moist soil at all times, but it does not grow well in soggy soil. This is why properly draining soil and plant containers with drainage holes are necessary.
Pros
- It is a beautiful and unique-looking plant
- It is not toxic
- It produces flowers
Cons
- It is finicky about its water regimen
- It is susceptible to root rot
- It is difficult to propagate
- It requires a lot of humidity
Calathea Rattlesnake
This is a tropical plant from Brazil that features long crinkly leaves that resemble a rattlesnake tail, hence its name. It can be a little fussy about its care requirements, but its unique look is definitely worth the effort.
Light Requirements
Calathea Rattlesnake should be set in an area that receives plenty of bright but filtered or indirect sunlight. It should never be set in direct sunlight because this will cause its lovely leaf markings to fade.
Soil Requirements
Calathea Rattlesnake requires soil that will drain well and has pH levels ranging from neutral to alkaline.
Water Requirements
Calathea Rattlesnake should only be watered when the top inch of its soil is dry. It can also benefit from a humid environment or regular misting.
Pros
- It is a unique-looking plant
- It is not toxic
- It is a small, compact plant
Cons
- It is finicky about its water regimen
- It is susceptible to root rot
- It is susceptible to infestations of spider mites
Calathea Triostar
This is an elegant-looking plant from the tropical regions of Brazil. It is also a member of the prayer plant family, which means its leaves move up and down depending on the time of day or amount of daylight it receives. It is a little fussy about its care requirements but that won’t matter when its leaves of green, cream, and pink are set next to a Pinstripe Plant.
Light Requirements
Calathea Triostar should be set in an area that receives plenty of bright, but indirect sunlight. It cannot handle direct sunlight. It can handle darker areas, but this causes its leaf coloration to fade.
Soil Requirements
Calathea Triostar requires soil that is well-draining and contains some peat.
Water Requirements
Calathea Triostar should only be watered when the top inch of its soil is dry. It needs moist soil at all times so it should not be allowed to sit in dry or soggy conditions.
Pros
- It is cold-tolerant
- It can be propagated via division
- It is a beautiful plant
Cons
- It requires a lot of humidity
- Its care requirements are fussy
Pinstripe Plant Diseases and Common Problems
Treat a plant quickly when they show signs of an infestation or a disease. This will give them a chance to recover and it may prevent other, nearby plants from being infected as well.
When caring for one of these plants, look for these common issues:
- Aphids
- Mealybug
- Scale Insects
- Spider Mites
Pinstripe Plant Treatments and Maintenance
Most plant diseases and problems can be prevented by learning how to properly water, feed, and provide sunlight for each type of plant. It also helps to perform regularly scheduled cleanings with neem oil and pest and disease inspections. This should catch any infestation quickly and prevent it from spreading throughout the plant or to other nearby plants.
If, however, a Pinstripe Plant does show signs of an infestation or a disease, follow these steps:
Aphids
This type of infestation looks likes tiny insects that are shaped like teardrops. To deal with an infestation of aphids, follow these steps:
- Spray the plant with a mixture of neem oil and soapy water
- Wipe down the leaves of the plant
- Apply neem oil to the leaves to prevent another infestation
Mealybugs
This type of infestation looks like cotton that has attached itself to a plant’s stems and leaves. To deal with an infestation of mealybugs, follow these steps:
- Spray a solution of alcohol and water on the leaves
- Rub the leaves with a cotton ball
- Coat the leaves in neem oil or insecticidal soap every few days
Scale Insects
This type of infestation looks like tiny brown bumps on the backs of the plant’s leaves. To deal with this type of infestation, follow these steps:
- Spray them off with a hose
- Wipe the remainder off with neem oil and a cloth
- Prevent them from returning by coating the leaves with neem oil regularly
Spider Mites
This type of infestation looks like webbing spread over the plant’s leaves and stems. To deal with this type of infestation, follow these steps:
- Spray the plant with a mixture of 1 quart of warm water, 1 tsp. of dish soap, and 2 tsps. Of neem oil
- Wipe off the leaves and stems
- Repeat as necessary
Where to Buy Pinstripe Plant Seeds Online
As is the case with most Calathea varieties, the seeds of this plant can be difficult to locate, but these shops are great places to begin searching for them.
Where to Buy Mature Pinstripe Plant Online
This plant can be purchased from many online shops. The following three shops offer a great selection of Pinstripe Plants.
FAQs
Question: Is Pinstripe Plant Toxic?
Answer: No, these plants are not toxic.
Question: Does Pinstripe Plant Have Air Purifying Qualities?
Answer: Yes, this plant can improve indoor air quality by removing carbon dioxide and releasing more oxygen. It is also capable of removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Question: How Big Does Pinstripe Plant Grow?
Answer: Outdoors, this plant will grow between 3 and 9 feet tall; however, when it is kept indoors it usually does not get any larger than 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide.
Concluding Thoughts
Pinstripe Plant is another lovely Calathea variety that will create a wonderful tropical space. It is beautiful, a little fussy, and completely wonderful.