“Princess Jessie,” or Calathea roseopicta ‘Princess Jessie’, is an indoor plant known for its vibrant foliage and striking patterns. It adds an exotic touch to any interior space, making it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts. Its visual appeal, air-purifying qualities, and pet-safe nature make it a desirable addition to diverse indoor environments.
Understanding Princess Jessie
This particular cultivar, Calathea roseopicta ‘Princess Jessie’, is a tropical foliage plant with a compact growth habit, developed in the Netherlands in 2006. Its large, oval, glossy leaves feature a dark green to almost black background with wide, bright pink bands extending from the edges towards the center, and a prominent pink midrib. The underside of these leaves displays a beautiful purple or burgundy color. Like other Calatheas, ‘Princess Jessie’ is known as a “living plant” because its leaves exhibit nyctinasty, closing or lifting at night and uncurling or lowering again in the morning.
Princess Jessie Care Guide
Calathea ‘Princess Jessie’ thrives in indirect, filtered light, mimicking its natural understory habitat in rainforests. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch or fade the delicate leaves, causing brown spots or burnt edges. Placing it near a north or east-facing window, or in a bright room with diffused light, provides optimal conditions.
This plant prefers soil that is always slightly damp but never waterlogged. Water when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry to the touch, using lukewarm, non-calcareous water like filtered or distilled water to prevent mineral buildup. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, a common issue for Calatheas.
A light, well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter is ideal for ‘Princess Jessie’. A suitable blend might include potting soil, orchid bark, charcoal, and perlite, ensuring both moisture retention and proper aeration. Repotting is recommended every one to two years in the spring, moving to a slightly larger pot when roots appear cramped.
This tropical plant prefers warm and stable temperatures, ideally between 18°C and 27°C (64°F and 80°F). It is sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 13°C (55°F), which can cause stress. High humidity, around 50% or higher, is also beneficial; this can be achieved by misting, using a humidifier, or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.
During the active growing season from spring to early autumn, fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or cease fertilization during the winter months when the plant’s growth slows. Regularly wiping the leaves with a damp cloth helps keep them clean, dust-free, and aids in photosynthesis.
Propagating Princess Jessie
Propagating Calathea ‘Princess Jessie’ is most effectively done through division, especially during repotting in early spring. This method involves gently separating the plant’s root ball into smaller sections, ensuring each new section has a healthy portion of roots and stems. The plant should be well-watered before division, and the separated clumps can then be planted into individual pots with suitable potting mix.
While division is the easiest method, ‘Princess Jessie’ can also be propagated from stem cuttings in water. Select a healthy stem with at least one leaf and a few nodes, making a clean cut below a node. Submerge the nodes in water, changing the water every few days to prevent stagnation, and place in bright, indirect light until roots form.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
‘Princess Jessie’ owners may encounter common problems, often related to environmental conditions. Brown tips or crispy leaf edges indicate insufficient humidity or irrigation with hard water. Increasing ambient humidity through misting or a humidifier and using filtered or distilled water can help.
Yellow leaves signal watering issues, either overwatering leading to root rot or underwatering. Adjusting watering frequency to ensure consistently moist but not soggy soil is important. Spots on leaves result from direct sunlight exposure or fungal diseases; place the plant in a protected location. General weakness or leaf fall points to poor drainage, so check the pot’s drainage holes and soil composition.