This Calathea Setosa is a stunning houseplant that features striking, almost electrical striped leaves. It adds an exotic flair to your home and can really make any room stand out from the crowd! With its cool-looking design on large, glossy green leaves and interesting texture, this plant is definitely one of the most unique house plants you can get your hands on today.

Just like all plants, it needs some love and care to remain healthy and happy – luckily Calathea Setosa Care isn’t too difficult as long as you follow some basic steps! In this post, we’ll chat about what makes Calathea Setosa special, and how to Calathea Setosa Care: The Complete And Best Guide, so keep reading if you want your Calathea Setosa to thrive in your home or outdoors!

About Calathea Setosa

People also call Calathea Setosa as Prayer Plant, Compact Star Plant, Never Never Plant, or Zebra Plant.

Coming from the tropical rainforests of Brazil, these plants from the Marantaceae family love humid conditions. Calathea Setosa is a popular indoor plant because it also cleans the air.

They’re famous for their gorgeous leaves. It’s got big leaves and stays green all year round. There are lots of different kinds of Calathea plants with different leaf styles. The leaves are bicolored and variegated, which means that on the dorsal side, they are silver with dark green veins, and on the ventral side, they are purple.

The leaves have a unique movement called nyctinasty. At night, the leaves close, and in the morning, they reopen, shaped like that to resemble hands clasped in prayer. That’s why they’re called Prayer Plants.

Calathea Setosa Care Quick Overview

Botanical Name	Calathea Setosa
Scientific Name	Never Never Plant, Ctenanthe Setosa, Compact Star Plant
Plant Family	Marantaceae
Origin	Brazil
Plant Type	perennial
Leaf Shape	oval
Growth Rate	moderate
Flower	white flowers
Light	bright indirect light
When To Water	Water it when the top two inches of the soil get dry.
Humidity	60-85%
Soil	standard commercial potting soil
Temperature	65-85°F
Flower	blooms in summer
Toxicity	Non – Toxic

Calathea Setosa Care Tips

Watering

Giving your Calathea Setosa the right amount of water is super important for making a happy and thriving plant. Calathea Setosa likes soil that’s always a bit damp but never soggy – watering it too often might make the roots rot. So, it’s key to know when the plant needs water.

To see if it needs water, just check if the soil in the pot is dry. You should water it if it feels dry about 1 – 2 inches below the surface.

When watering your Calathea Setosa, use water that’s not too cold or hot and water it thoroughly but gently until you see that extra water starts dripping from your pot’s drainage hole. After watering, make sure to empty the tray under the pot.

Also, try not to get water on the leaves as this might cause a fungus problem.

Plus, keep an eye on how much water it usually needs in relation to things like temperature and humidity.

Your Calathea Setosa doesn’t need as much water during colder seasons when it’s not growing as fast and more often when it’s warmer. On especially hot days, spraying water on the plant’s leaves can also be a good idea.

Ideal Humidity

Calathea Setosa is a tropical plant that needs a certain amount of damp air to thrive. The ideal dampness in the air for Calathea Setosa should be between 60-85%. If the air’s not damp enough, the leaves might curl up and go brown, while dampness above 85% may make the roots rot.

To ensure the right dampness for your Calathea Setosa:

Use a humidifier or a tray with pebbles to make the air damper.
Spraying Calathea Setosa every day is a good way to keep the dampness in the air just right.
Keep your houseplants close to each other
Find a spot for your Setosa where it’s quite damp, like the restroom, bathroom has a window and enough room.

It’s good to keep an eye on how damp the air is in your home and change things up if needed for the best growth of your Calathea Setosa. With the right care and looking after, your Calathea Setosa will do great in the perfect conditions.

Required temperature

Calathea Setosa likes it to be between 65-85°F (18-30°C) to thrive. In addition, they like lots of dampness in the air and air that moves around well. Temperatures outside these numbers should be steered clear of as they might hurt the plant.

The plant can deal with a little extra heat, but too much heat will make the leaves curl up. Plus, it can’t deal with temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), at which point the leaves will start to look damaged.

If you plan on growing Calathea Setosa, make sure your house’s temperature is in the right range and give it enough dampness in the air to ensure healthy growth.

Ideal light

Light is a key thing to think about for Calathea setosa. This plant does best in bright, indirect light and can handle low levels of light as well.

Being a plant from hot places, the Calathea Setosa needs at least 6 to 8 hours of light each day to survive. For the plant to get bigger and stronger, make sure it gets not too much light.

Too much straight-up sun rays will burn the leaves, so it’s best to keep this plant out of the straight sun or use light curtains to soften the light.

Bright fake lights work too when placed at least two feet away from the plant.

For best results, turn your Calathea Setosa now and then to help it grow in a balanced way.

Soil

Calathea Setosa is an easy-to-look-after, low-maintenance tropical houseplant. To keep these plants happy, it’s important to give them the right kind of soil.

The perfect soil for Calathea Setosa plants should drain well, be rich in natural stuff, and hold water well. Soil mixes high in kinda moss or coconut fiber, little white bits or little gold bits, and sand work well because they hold onto water while still draining well.

For best results, the soil pH should be between 6.1 to 7.1. Use pH checking tools that also measure how wet the soil is to find out the pH level of the soil.

All in all, giving your Calathea Setosa the right kind of soil is super important. Soil should be light, airy, and drain well with enough natural stuff to hold onto water.

Fertilizer

Calathea Setosa is a beautiful indoor plant that needs the right care to thrive. Feeding is a crucial part of looking after this plant. Here are some tips on feeding Calathea Setosa:

Frequency: Calathea Setosa needs regular feeding during the growing time, which is from spring to fall. You can feed it every two to four weeks, depending on how strong the feed is.
Type: Calathea Setosa likes a even mix, feed that can dissolve in water with equal amounts of N, P, and K. Look for a feed made especially for indoor plants or leafy plants. Alternatively, you can use a natural plant feed like compost or worm poo.
Application: When applying feed, make it weaker to half the suggested strength to avoid too much feeding, which can hurt the roots. Pour the diluted feed onto the soil around the plant and avoid getting it on the leaves. Water the plant straight away after feeding to stop salt getting too much.
Winter care: During the winter months, Calathea Setosa is having a nap and doesn’t need feeding. You can start feeding again in the spring when new bits start growing.

It’s important to follow these tips when feeding Calathea Setosa to ensure its best growth and health. Remember to always read the instructions on the feed packet and adjust how often and how strong you feed it accordingly.

Related: Calathea Beauty Star Care: The Complete And Best Guide

Repotting

Repotting is a super important part of taking care of your Calathea Setosa cause it gives new soil and space for the plant to grow. Here are some tips on how to repot your Calathea Setosa:

Timing: The best time to repot your Calathea Setosa is in the spring when the plant is getting bigger. It’s best to avoid repotting during the winter when the plant is having a nap.
Select the Right Pot: Pick a pot that’s one size bigger than the current one, has drainage holes, and is made from a porous material like terracotta or ceramic.
Soil Mix: Calathea Setosa likes soil that drains well and is rich in natural stuff. You can mix equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand to create a good soil mix.
How to Repot: Gently pull the plant from its old pot, loosen the roots, and get rid of any dead or damaged roots. Place the plant in the new pot and fill in the spaces with fresh soil mix. Water the plant thoroughly and put it in a bright, soft light spot.
Aftercare: After repotting, it’s best not to feed the plant for a few weeks to give it time to adjust to its new place. Also, keep the soil moist but not soggy and don’t put the plant under direct sunlight.

In short, repotting your Calathea Setosa is a vital part of its care. By following these tips, you can ensure that your plant has enough space and nutrients to grow and continue to brighten up your home.

Pruning

Pruning helps new growth, keeps your plant looking good, and keeps it healthy. Either trimming or deadheading can be used as a form of pruning, which should be done regularly.

You can prune back long stems or leaves and remove gone-off or droopy flowers or leaves.

When pruning, make sure you use clean, sharp tools and only when the plant is healthy.

Calathea Setosa propagation

Propagating Calathea Setosa is an easy and rewarding process. With just a few steps, you can turn your Calathea Setosa into many new plants with lush green foliage. The best way to propagate your Calathea Setosa is through stem cuttings or division.

Stem cuttings

Stem cuttings are the easiest way to propagate Calathea Setosa.

Start by cutting the stem of your Calathea Setosa just below a node (a swollen area located on the stem).
Make sure that each cutting is at least 3-4 inches long and has a few nodes.
Stick the stems in moist soil or start them straight in water.
Keep out of straight sun and can keep the plant near a window of indirect sunlight.
Keep the propagation medium consistently moist, and in a few weeks, your cuttings should have grown roots.

Division

Division is another way to propagate Calathea Setosa. To divide the plant:

Start by gently pulling it out of its pot.
Gently move roots and stems apart with your fingers and split them.
Then, using your hands or a sharp knife, carefully split the rootball into several sections that each have several healthy stems.
Replant each split section in a new pot with soil that drains well, and keep the propagation medium consistently moist.
In a few weeks, your plants should be settled in their new pots.

Calathea Setosa Care Common Pests & Common Problems

Common Pests

Usual pests to keep an eye on while taking care of Calathea Setosa include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale insects.

Mealybugs are ones that make white, cottony wax on the plant’s leaves and stems.
Aphids are tiny green or black bugs that feed on the sap of plants, making them weak and discolored.
Spider mites make webs of fine silk between leaves.
Scale insects look like small brown bumps on stems and leaves.

These pests can damage the leaves of your plant, leaving them discolored and spotted.

To treat these pests: Use an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution on the affected areas. If it gets real bad, you might need a pro. You may need to use a bug killer.
To prevent pests from showing up: make sure to keep your plant in a breezy area and avoid giving it too much water. Also, it’s super important to regularly check your plant for signs of pests so that any problem can be sorted out ASAP.

Typical problems that Calathea Setosa owners may run into include brown leaf tips, squishy stems, leaves turning yellow, and root rot.

Common Problems

Here are some usual problems you might face when caring for this plant:

Leaves curling up: If the leaves of your Calathea Setosa are curling, it’s a sign that the plant needs more humidity. Make the area around the plant more humid by misting the leaves often or using a humidifier.
Leaves turning yellow: Leaves turning yellow often means too much or too little water. Make sure to water your plant only when the top inch of soil feels dry, and make sure water can drain out so the soil isn’t waterlogged.
Brown leaf tips: Brown leaf tips can mean dry air, too much food, or even hard water. To avoid this problem, mist the leaves often, don’t overfeed, and use filtered water.
Pests: Calathea Setosa is prone to bugs like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Regularly check your plant for any signs of bugs and use the right bug control methods to stop them spreading.

It’s super important to keep an eye on your Calathea Setosa and sort out any problems quickly to keep it healthy and long-lasting. With the right care and attention, this beautiful plant can thrive in your home or office.

Top tips for Calathea Setosa care

Making sure to keep the soil damp but not soggy.
Making sure your plant gets bright indirect sunlight.
Regularly misting it with distilled water.
Making sure the humidity is right for this type of plant – around 60-80%.
Watering should be done carefully, making sure the soil isn’t too wet and dries out between waterings.
Feed your Calathea Setosa every two weeks with a liquid plant food at half-strength.
Make sure to regularly check for bugs like mealybugs and spider mites.
Pruning may also be needed to promote a healthy plant shape. Make sure to provide enough room around the pot for air to move around to prevent disease and rot.

So, basically, the Calathea Setosa is a beautiful and pretty easy plant to look after. As with any indoor plant, be aware of your conditions (humidity, light levels, etc.) and adjust accordingly. But as long as you give this prayer plant the attention it needs and read this Calathea Setosa Care: The Complete And Best Guide, you’ll have a happy and healthy Setosa on your hands!

If you have questions we haven’t answered here or need help with your Calathea Setosa, don’t hold back to contact FamiPlants. We would be super glad to help you!

Learn more about Other Calathea care resources:

Calathea Setosa Care: The Complete And Best Guide