Dottie Calathea (Calathea 'Dottie')

Dottie Calathea Plant Features

There are a lot of beautiful Calathea varieties available, and we love Dottie because of its dark, purple-green leaves and hot-pink variegation. This makes Dottie a stylish addition to practically any home or office and an elegant statement or accent plant in your houseplant collection. 

Dottie was first discovered in 1998 in Apopka, Florida, and was patented by the breeder for how dark green its leaves are and the contrast of the hot pink variegation. In good conditions, it can grow about 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, making it a lovely choice for desks, tabletops, plant cases, and large terrariums. It combines beautifully with other Calathea varieties, as well as most other houseplants, making it a versatile plant for your home or office décor. 

Buy Dottie Calathea
Buy it online and have it shipped fresh from our farm, direct to your door from our online plant shop. Or find it in our Trending Tropicals® collection online or at your favorite local garden center. Buy now

Dottie Calathea Growing Instructions

Light
While Dottie Calathea will do a good job of tolerating low-light spots, this small houseplant truly thrives in medium to bright (but indirect) light. Find lighting a little confusing? As a general guide, in low light there's just enough brightness to read a book or magazine throughout the day without extra lighting. In medium light, the plant will cast a soft or light shadow and in bright light, the plant will have a strong shadow.

Water
Water your Dottie Calathea just before or as the surface of the potting mix dries to the touch. It is sensitive to drying out and likes to be kept about as moist as a well-wrung sponge. Its beautiful leaves will develop brown, crispy edges if Dottie Calathea does not get enough moisture. That said, it's important not to give the plant too much water. If the potting mix stays soggy or saturated for extended periods, the roots will drown and die.

Humidity
Like other calathea varieties, Dottie prefers above-average relative humidity levels. If you see the leaves develop brown, crispy edges, boost humidity levels by growing Dottie under a cloche, in a terrarium or plant case, grouped with other plants (they release moisture through their leaves as they breathe, helping create pockets of higher humidity), or near a small humidifier. 

Fertilizer
You can feed Dottie Calathea in the spring and summer seasons, if you wish, with a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. While it does not require special fertilizers, be sure the product you use is labeled for use on houseplants. Never exceed the recommended application rates on the product packaging.

Pruning
No pruning is necessary except to remove any old or damaged leaves.

Note: Dottie Calathea is an ornamental plant and not grown for human or animal consumption.

  • Water

    Constantly moist soil

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Indoors: Low light

    Indoors: Medium light

  • Colors

    Pink

    Purple

    Variegated

  • Special Features

    Colorful foliage

    Purifies the air

Complement your Dottie Calathea

Polka Dot Begonia
Spots and stipes! Get a bold look by growing Dottie Calathea with Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata).

Geo
Love a dark, mysterious look? Pair Dottie Calathea with Geo (Geogenanthus ciliatus)!

Hurricane Fern
Contrast Dottie's dark leaves with the green, textural fronds of Hurricane Fern.