---
title: "Hello! I am new here and to the (serious) business of house plants. I…"
description: "Hello! I am new here and to the (serious) business of house plants. I got this calathea ornata a few days ago but I wanted to know what was the best fertilizer…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/64ad1fd04122203418dd410d"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Macie"
published: "2023-07-11T09:24:32.622Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/hsrVYpo_ObT4qYfYYiUnESOUnkmKHsGhJVEWWJSGrpc/7edaf95c55a7451f86a7c22b0f5bd3fc.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello! I am new here and to the (serious) business of house plants. I…

_Posted by Macie on 2023-07-11_

Hello! I am new here and to the (serious) business of house plants. I got this calathea ornata a few days ago but I wanted to know what was the best fertilizer for them? I know they can be pretty picky.

Thanks in advance!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/hsrVYpo_ObT4qYfYYiUnESOUnkmKHsGhJVEWWJSGrpc/7edaf95c55a7451f86a7c22b0f5bd3fc.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### exitJiraffe commented on 2023-07-11

I use all purpose miracle grow and mines been happy.

### MamaJuju commented on 2023-07-11

Omg she looks so happy for you being a newbie! Calatheas aren’t easy! Great job!

I use worm castings because they’re sensitive to chemicals. And if no one has ever told you, they thrive with distilled water. 🌱✨

#### Macie replied on 2023-07-11

Only had her a few days! 😂 Give it a week or so. And thanks!

### Roxy commented on 2023-07-11

I let my water sit out overnight before using it - I use earthworm casings and joyful dirt fertilizer. And they seem to like it. I have a few varieties of this plant and they are dramatic

#### Macie replied on 2023-07-11

So I’ve heard 😅 went to a house plant seminar and there were no warnings when I was picking out my first.

### MamaJuju commented on 2023-07-11

Yeah my ornata is named “brat” in my app, other Calatheas include “pain”, “drama” and “whiny” lol

#### Macie replied on 2023-07-11

😭 That’s too funny. I went to several stores today looking for distilled water but when my girl was a baby I gave her tap water. 😂

### MamaJuju commented on 2023-07-11

So did I 🫠 it’s okay, they have no choice to forgive us or they would have to go thirsty! I actually got a machine from Amazon for like $60 that makes distilled water! It’s brand is “vevor”.

#### Macie replied on 2023-07-11

She still drinks it to this day so it can’t be too bad! 🤣 Thanks for the tip, I might have to invest if it stays hard to find (and if I manage to keep it alive).

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