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Plant care

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) (Calathea Compactstar) care

Goeppertia setosa 'Compactstar'

Also called Calathea Compactstar, Calathea Compact Star.

RHS H1bUSDA 11-12Pet-safeIndoor A compact grower

Watering rhythm

5-7days

When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growth

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Light, airy, moisture-retentive peat-free mix

Humidity

60% or higher

Temp

18-27°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

A compact grower

Care at a glance

Light

Bright but filtered. Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright indirect light keeps the silver sheen and burgundy contrast strong. Avoid direct sun, which scorches and washes out the colour, and avoid deep shade, which flattens the patterning and slows growth. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar): when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growth. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Keep the mix lightly and evenly moist, never soggy. Water with tepid rainwater, distilled or filtered water — this genus browns at the edges from fluoride, chlorine and hard-water salts. Reduce watering through winter.

Soil and pot

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) grows best in light, airy, moisture-retentive peat-free mix. Coir or peat-free compost with perlite and fine bark holds moisture while draining freely, protecting the fine roots. Slightly acidic pH around 6.0-6.5 is ideal; use a pot with drainage holes. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) sits happiest at around 60% or higher humidity and 18-27°C (65-80°F). Needs consistently humid air to avoid brown crisping edges. Use a humidifier, pebble tray or plant grouping; it is one of the more humidity-demanding prayer plants in dry centrally-heated rooms. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) sparingly. Feed every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant feed at half strength. Stop feeding in autumn and winter and flush the soil periodically to clear salts, which this sensitive genus shows as browned leaf tips. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Crispy brown leaf edges — Low humidity or hard, fluoridated tap water. Raise humidity and use rainwater or filtered water.
  • Faded silver and burgundy colour — Direct sun bleaches the leaves while deep shade dulls them. Provide steady bright indirect light.
  • Yellowing or rotting stems — Overwatering and poor drainage rot the roots. Let the surface dry slightly and ensure the pot drains freely.
  • Spider mites — Dry warm air encourages mites, shown by stippling and webbing. Rinse foliage, raise humidity and treat with insecticidal soap.

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring at repotting: separate the rhizome clump so each piece keeps roots and several leaves, then pot up and keep warm, shaded and humid until re-established. Cuttings are not viable for this genus. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) is pet-safe. ASPCA lists Calathea/Goeppertia prayer plants as non-toxic to cats and dogs. There is no toxic principle; eating a large amount of fibrous leaf may still cause mild, short-lived digestive upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Goeppertia setosa 'Compactstar'?

Goeppertia setosa 'Compactstar' is most commonly called Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar), but it is also known as Calathea Compactstar, Calathea Compact Star. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) apply identically to anything sold as Calathea Compactstar.

How much light does calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) need?

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Bright indirect light keeps the silver sheen and burgundy contrast strong. Avoid direct sun, which scorches and washes out the colour, and avoid deep shade, which flattens the patterning and slows growth.

How often should I water calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar)?

Water calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growth. Keep the mix lightly and evenly moist, never soggy. Water with tepid rainwater, distilled or filtered water — this genus browns at the edges from fluoride, chlorine and hard-water salts. Reduce watering through winter. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) toxic to cats and dogs?

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) is pet-safe. ASPCA lists Calathea/Goeppertia prayer plants as non-toxic to cats and dogs. There is no toxic principle; eating a large amount of fibrous leaf may still cause mild, short-lived digestive upset.

What USDA hardiness zone does calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) grow in?

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) is rated for USDA zone 11-12 (indoor in most US homes) and RHS hardiness H1b. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) deep-dive guides

Every aspect of calathea burgundy (setosa compactstar) care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) qualifies for 6 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

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Calathea Burgundy (Setosa Compactstar) is also commonly called Calathea Compactstar or Calathea Compact Star.