Beauty Star Calathea (Goeppertia 'Beauty Star')

Bright indirect light helps Beauty Star grow well and maintain its leaf pattern.

Try a position near a window with protection from strong midday and afternoon sunshine. A sheer curtain can make a bright window more suitable.

It can cope with some shade, but a dark corner may lead to slow growth and compost that stays wet for too long.

Give it a spot where it gets useful daylight and you get to enjoy the leaves. Everybody wins.

Keep the compost lightly moist, allowing the top centimetre or two to begin drying before watering again.

Water evenly around the pot until excess drains from the bottom. Let it drain fully, then empty the saucer or decorative pot.

Try to avoid letting the whole root ball dry out. If that happens occasionally, give it a thorough drink and let it recover in its usual spot.

Winter usually brings longer gaps between waterings. Check the compost each time and adjust as you get to know its pace.

Beauty Star sits towards the fussier end of our Tap Water Diva scale.

Rainwater or distilled water can be useful, especially if your tap water leaves mineral buildup or the plant develops persistent brown tips.

Filtered water may help, but what it removes depends on the filter. Leaving tap water overnight does not remove its dissolved minerals.

If your plant is growing happily with the water you already use, there is no need to change its drinks order.

Beauty Star appreciates moderately high humidity. Around 50 to 60% or more is a useful starting point, with gentle airflow around the leaves.

A warm, naturally humid room can help if it also has enough light. In a dry home, a humidifier is a more reliable option than regular misting.

A small humidity meter can help you see what is happening, particularly when the heating comes on.

This one belongs with the moisture loving side of the Jungle.

Around 18 to 26°C suits Beauty Star well. Aim to keep it above 16°C and avoid sudden temperature changes.

Keep the leaves clear of cold window glass, draughty doors and direct radiator heat.

Warm and settled is the aim. There is no need to turn the living room into a tropical greenhouse.

Beauty Star grows well in houseplant compost that holds some moisture while allowing excess water to drain.

A peat free mix with added perlite or fine bark can work well. Aim for something open enough for the roots, without drying as quickly as a very chunky climbing plant mix.

A pot with drainage holes makes watering easier to manage. If you have a decorative pot you love, keep the plant in its nursery pot inside it and empty any water left after watering.

A comfortable root zone makes the rest of the Jungle routine much easier.

Feed lightly during spring and summer while new leaves are developing.

Use a balanced houseplant fertiliser at the recommended strength and frequency. If the instructions cover a wide range of plants, choose the lighter feeding option for sensitive foliage plants.

Apply feed to moist compost and pause when growth slows.

Fresh compost may already contain nutrients, so check the bag before adding more. Beauty Star enjoys support with its growing, but extra feed will not hurry every new leaf along.

Repot when the roots have filled the pot or the plant is drying unusually quickly despite thorough watering.

Spring or early summer gives it time to settle while growing. Choose a pot just a little larger, with drainage holes and fresh houseplant compost.

Handle the roots gently and avoid pulling the clump apart unless you intend to divide it.

Water after repotting, let the pot drain and return it to a warm spot with indirect light. A little settling time is part of moving house, even in the Jungle.

Beauty Star does not need shaping or regular pruning. Most of the job is removing leaves that have finished.

Cut a fully yellow, dead or badly damaged leaf stalk close to the base with clean scissors, taking care around fresh shoots.

Small brown tips can be trimmed if you prefer. Leave a fine margin of dry tissue rather than cutting into healthy green leaf.

Keep useful foliage in place. A plant can be growing well without every leaf looking brand new.

A soft, slightly damp cloth or our Microfibre Houseplant Dusting Gloves work well for removing dust.

Support each leaf underneath and wipe gently across the surface. Take care with fresh leaves, which are softer while they finish opening.

Have a quick look underneath while you are there. It is a handy chance to spot unwanted visitors early.

No leaf shine needed. Beauty Star has brought its own pattern.

Beauty Star is propagated by dividing an established clump.

Spring or early summer is a good time, ideally when it already needs repotting. Look for sections that can be separated with their own roots and several healthy leaves.

Gently ease them apart, using a clean blade only where needed. Pot each section into a suitably sized container with fresh compost.

Keep the divisions warm, lightly moist and away from strong sunshine while they settle.

There is no rush to divide a young plant. Let it build a good clump first, then you can think about sharing the Jungle.

Spring

Fresh rolled leaves usually start appearing as the days brighten. Check the compost more regularly and begin feeding once growth gets going. Spring is also a good time to repot an established plant if its roots need more room.

Summer

Expect more regular growth and potentially shorter gaps between drinks. Protect the leaves from strong sunshine, particularly near south or west facing windows. Warmth is welcome, but a hot windowsill can dry the pot surprisingly quickly.

Autumn

Growth usually slows as daylight reduces. Ease back on feeding and check the compost before watering, as it may stay moist for longer. When the heating goes on, keep an eye on humidity and nearby radiators.

Winter

Keep Beauty Star warm and give it the best indirect light available. Water less often while keeping the root ball from drying completely. A pause in new leaves is normal. There is still plenty of Jungle to enjoy while it takes things slowly.

Brown tips or crispy edges

Check humidity, watering consistency and water quality. Excess fertiliser can also contribute. Existing damage will stay brown, so watch the next leaves to judge whether changes are helping.

Curled leaves

Feel the compost and check for strong sunshine, radiator heat or cold draughts. If the pot is dry, water thoroughly and drain. If it is wet, investigate the roots and conditions before watering again.

Yellow leaves

An occasional older leaf yellowing is normal. Several leaves yellowing together can point to roots staying too wet, poor light or a sudden change in conditions.

Drooping with wet compost

The roots may be struggling in compost that is too wet or cold. Check drainage and inspect the roots if the plant continues declining. Healthy roots should be firm rather than soft and rotten.

Faded or scorched patches

Strong sunshine can bleach or damage the foliage. Move it into gentler light. Healthy new growth will give you a better picture of whether the new spot suits it.

New leaves sticking or tearing

Dry air or uneven moisture can make unfurling difficult. Keep conditions steady and allow the leaf to open in its own time. Pulling it apart can cause further damage.

Spider mites are worth watching for, particularly in warm, dry rooms. Check beneath the leaves for fine speckling, tiny moving dots or delicate webbing.

Thrips and mealybugs can also visit. Silvery marks, small dark specks or white fluffy patches are good reasons to take a closer look.

Move an affected plant away from its neighbours while you identify the pest. Treatment depends on what is present, so send us a clear photo if you are unsure.

Use products suitable for indoor foliage plants and follow the instructions. Test a small area first, as patterned leaves can be marked by some sprays.

Beauty Star Calathea is considered non toxic to people, cats and dogs. A good option when your plant collection shares a home with curious companions.

As with other ornamental plants, it is still best to discourage chewing. Eating leaves or compost can cause an upset stomach, even when the plant itself is non toxic.

Pet friendly greenery, with the leaves best left on the plant.