Calathea fasciata is a flowering plant belonging to the family Marantaceae. Regel and Koern were the introducers of the plant in 1858. However, Edward August and Friedrich August gave the current name to the plant.
Calathea Fasciata
This is a popular indoor plant. Big, round, and shiny thick leaves with deep green prominent veins and purple underside make the plant strikingly attractive. The unique and exotic dark and light green striped outlook of the plant foliage has been a source of attraction for plant lovers and growers. This plant is beautiful enough to make anyone admire it and decorate any corner of your house. In this article, we will share some important information about the C.fasciata plant.
Calathea Fasciata Classification
The biological classification of the plant is given below:
Family: Marantaceae.
Genus: Calathea.
Species: fasciata.
In ancient taxonomic classifications, Calathea fasciata was considered as a plant variety of the species Calathea rotundifolia. According to that classification, its complete name becomes Calathea rotundifolia var.fasciata.
(Variety refers to a precise group of plants having common characteristics within a species. This is above the taxonomic classification of subspecies)
It is important to mention here that many modern taxonomic types of research consider C.fasciata as an individual species closely resembling its sister species C.rotundifolia and C.vaginata. These researchers consider rotundifolia as the ancient form of modern species orbifolia. Furthermore, they consider that C.orbifolia is greener and with slight morphological differences in comparison to the C.fasciata. These are the differentiating features between the two species.
Genus Calathea:
The tropical American native, the flowering genus has more than 300 species. The majority of the calatheas have decorative beautiful leaves and some of them grow colored flowers. The genus is widely cultivated and hybridized due to its uniquely pattered leaves and flowers. Dozens of calathea cultivars are sold at expensive rates in-plant markets.
The thick big leaves are used in packing, wrapping, and handicrafts. Moreover, many species of this genus are getting extinct due to a lack of suitable growing conditions.
Popular species of this genus include Calathea makoyana (the peacock plant). This is popular for ornamental purposes due to its beautiful foliage.
Calathea Fasciata Common Name:
The plants of this genus are commonly called ‘Prayer plants’. However, this common name is used for some other plants as well. Because of being considered as a variety of species C.rotundifolia, it is sometimes known as Calathea rotundifolia fasciata.
Calathea Fasciata Growth Habit:
Important points about the plant structure and growth habit are shared below:
- Calathea rotundifolia fasciata does great indoors as well as in outdoor environments.
- The average height of the indoor plant is around 20 to 65cm. Additionally, in optimum conditions and enough growing space; your Fasciata plant may grow up to 75cm.
- A mature leaf is around 5 to 6cm in length and 5 cm in width.
- The plant body is upright and spreading in the form of a shrub.
- The plant grows by noninvasive creeping rhizome.
- This is a quick-growing plant. So, you can expect it to quickly fill your pot or the shady area of your garden.
- This is good news that you don’t need to be worried about keeping the babies and pets away from your beautiful C.fasciata. Unlike many other indoor plants, these are non-toxic for both humans and animals. This is an added benefit and makes the plant a preferable domestic plant especially in comparison to the philodendrons.
Calathea Fasciata Care
This is a low-maintenance plant. However, being native to tropical regions, it is pretty typical in water, soil, and light requirements. In this section, we will share important information regarding the care and requirements of the Calathea rotundifolia fasciata plant.
Water Requirement:
The Fasciata is native to the tropical region and prefers a regular water supply. Additionally, it needs moist and well-drained soil. Make sure that the upper 4 inches of the soil are dry before you water the plant again. Avoid keeping the soil soggy or overwatered as it is a gateway to all kinds of problems of the plant. Experts advise avoiding keeping the foliage wet as it will also attract issues like plant fungus and molds.
Sunlight Requirement:
The plant requires bright indirect sunlight. It may do well in partial shade as well. This tolerance towards low light situations makes it a good option in the indoor plant. Long exposure to direct sunlight may burn the foliage. Brown and burnt leaves are a common sign of overexposure to sunlight
Experts advise always rotate the indoor plants once a week by 90 degrees. This will ensure uniform light exposure to all sides resulting in a healthy plant body.
Soil Requirement:
The Calathea rotundifolia fasciata plant dwells well in porous soil. However, a commercial potting mix will give better results.
Temperature Requirement:
The plant dwells great in medium warm temperature. A suitable temperature range is 10 to 30 °C.
Humidity Requirement:
The C.Fasciata is native to tropical areas. Thus, it prefers good levels of moisture in the air. If you notice low humidity levels in your indoor environment, you can follow under mentioned measures to increase humidity;
- Place a humidifier in the room.
- Mist the plant mildly, especially on hot and dry days. Please make sure to not make the foliage soggy by over misting.
- Add a pebble tray under the plant pot and add water to it.
Fertilizer Requirement:
Once or twice a month is a suitable frequency for summer. While in winter, little fertilizer once in two months is enough. Different types of fertilizers are available in markets. You can select one according to the nature of the foliage. Slow-release fertilizers are a good choice for indoor plants. A balanced domestic plant fertilizer in liquid form is also a good option.
Pot Requirement:
As the plant needs well-drained soil, make sure there is a suitable hole at the base of your pot. This will enable the soil to drain the excess water.
Experts consider that careful repotting of a healthy adult Calathea plant once a year is good for its healthy growth. Repotting every other year is also enough.
Pruning Requirement:
Common indoor plants require frequent pruning. This will help them look neat and tidy. Additionally, it will help the plants to remain confined in their pot. A big and widely spreading plant will get somewhat uncomfortable in a small domestic plant due to its growing roots.
Growth Zone:
The ideal USDA Zone range is 11 to 12.
Calathea Fasciata Propagation
The members of the Calathea genus are easy to propagate. The division of rhizome is a common propagating method followed for the prayer plants. You need to take a healthy adult mother plant for the division.
- It is important to keep the new divisions warm and moist. For this purpose, you can even cover the pot with a thin plastic sheet.
- Baby plants prefer low sunlight exposure until they reach the active growing stage.
- The ideal time for propagation is spring and summer, especially during repotting the adult plant.
Calathea Fasciata Timeline
In this section, we are sharing a timeline of the plant. This estimated guide will give you an idea of the growth pattern of the plant. However, you need to keep observing the plant and adjust the requirements accordingly.
Day 1: Careful potting of divisions obtained from a healthy mother plant. Soil should be moist and placed in a warm region. Baby plants prefer low-light conditions.
Day 3 – Day 20: Watering in low quantity every third day. Soil should not be dry and not soggy as well.
Day 20 – Day 50: Keeping the baby plant under observation. And provide water every fourth day or according to the soil conditions.
Day 50 – Day 70: Plant has probably developed roots by this time. Shoots will start appearing. This will be a sign that your propagation is successful. By this time, the plant will be able to bear bright indirect light. However, you still need to observe the plant after transferring it to the lighted area.
Day 70 – Day 170: (the plant is stable) By this time, many new leaves will be grown. Plant height and health should be increasing. You can reduce the watering frequency. The rule of top 4 inches dry soil is applicable at this stage. You can add little quantity of suitable fertilizer. Be careful, as over-fertilizing may burn your young plant.
Day 170 – Day 190: By this stage, your plant does not need much attention. Just keep it in an area with suitable temperature, humidity, and light. Rotate the plant pot frequently and maintain a watering frequency.
Day 190 – Day 300(first winter): The new plants have reached winter. Reduce the water frequency to once or twice a month. You can add light fertilizer around day 230. However, in winter the plant may do well without any fertilizer at all.
Day 300 – DAY 350 (spring): By this time the plant has reached the spring. You can now add fertilizer and increase watering to thrice a week. You will see that the plant is a healthy mature plant by this stage.
Day 350 onwards (summer): Summer needs adequate watering, usually every other day. Make sure to be careful about providing suitable humidity and fertilizer once a month until autumn.
From this stage, you need to carry on with regular mild care of the plant.
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Conclusion
Calathea fasciata is a beautiful plant. The prominent shiny and stripped combination of green shades, its foliage is a source of attraction for plant lovers. Calathea fasciata sometimes referred to as Calathea rotundifolia fasciata belongs to the family Marantaceae and is native to tropical regions of America. This plant loves indirect light or partial shade and is beautiful enough to decorate any area in your house or a shady part of your garden.
