Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) Indoor Care, Propagation and Growing Problems

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Botanical name: Calathea fasciata
Synonym: Goeppertia fasciata
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Calathea fasciata

Description

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) is a charming perennial plant which bears deep-green leaves with lime-green rib variegation and purple undersides.

Goeppertia fasciata is a popular plant on account ot its spectacular glossy orb-shaped leaves which radiate from the center of the plant.

Size and Flower

Calathea fasciata grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 ft. The plant is not grown for the flower but for the pretty foliage and is unlikely to flower under room conditions.

Origin

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) is native to the tropical forests in Northern Brazil where it grows on the forest floors.

Related Plants

Calathea fasciata is closely related to the Marantas, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe which are collectively called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night.

Is Calathea fasciata toxic?

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors.

Where to buy

If you would like to add Calathea Plants to your collection, Buy Calathea Plants online from Etsy.

Calathea fasciata Care Indoors

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) grows well in medium indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Goeppertia fasciata requires pruning to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Repotting is needed only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to provide them.

Light Requirements

Calathea fasciata grows best in medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight as it can cause loss of leaf colour and scorching of the leaves.

For even growth, rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.

Calathea fasciata can also be grown under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Watering

Water Calathea fasciata liberally (until the water comes out through the drainage holes) during the growing season while allwoing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy.

Cut down on watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Use room temperature water to avoid plant shock. The water should also be free of chlorine and flourides as like all Calatheas, it is sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water which will cause brown leaf tips and edges.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

Avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead to reduce fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

Calathea fasciata prefers average warmth with a minimum of 15⁰C and a maximum of 26⁰C. At temperatures below this range, the plant stops growing while temperatures above this range may cause the plant to die.

Keep the plant away from draughts as they cause sudden changes in temperature which the plant cannot tolerate and may cause it to die.

Calathea fasciata requires high humidity (50% to 80%) inorder to thrive. Low humidity causes the plant to develop brown leaf tips and edges. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity for the optimum growth of the plant.

To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use acool mist humidifier or grow the plant in the bathroom or other moist areas in the home where humidity is high if there is adequate lighting. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

You can also grow Calathea fasciata in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained in a terrarium.

Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean and neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Fertilizer

Feed Goeppertia fasciata every 4 weeks through out the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote a lush growth.

Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.

Regularly, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Calathea fasciata should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Buy quality Calathea potting medium from Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Calathea fasciata every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season or when it becomes root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.

Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

Before repotting, water the plant thoroughly at least one day before to hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock.

If the plant is large and has outgrown its current pot, divide it into several sections and use the splits to propagate new plants.

Repotting may cause the leaves to droop but the plant will eventually recover in about 3-4 weeks once it takes root.

Pruning

Pruning Calathea fasciata is easy. Remove dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and reduce pest and disease infestations.

Cut the leaves with a clean sharp knife or scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk while avoiding unnecessary injury to minimize diseases infestation.

Propagation

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) is propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season during repotting.

How to propagate Calathea fasciata by plant division

Water the Calathea fasciata thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the plant out of its pot and divide it into several sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least 2-3 stems.

Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the pot with free-draining potting medium and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.

Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.

Liberally water the soil until water comes out through the drainage holes. Cover the pots with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect and maintain warm humid conditions which hasten establishment of the plants.

Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight until new growth has emerged on the sections.

Gradually remove the polythene over a period of two weeks to acclimatize the new plants.

Maintain the soil moist until the new Goeppertia fasciata are well established after which you can begin routine care.

Calathea fasciata Problems with Solutions

Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) growing problems include drooping leaves, yellow leaves, loss of leaf color, brown leaf tips, plant death, pests and diseases among others. Continue reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Drooping leaves

Calathea fasciata drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air (low humidity) as the plant is very sensitive to low air humidity.

Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity and maintain it at 50%-80% for optimum growth of the plant.

To up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea fasciata is incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering.

Water the plant liberally and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Also, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea fasciata is that the plant is root-bound which means that the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant.

Therefore, there is no water for the plant to take up to the leaves. The leaves loss their stiffness and they droop.

Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole. Repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.

Loss of leaf color

Calathea fasciata washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it grows best in medium, indirect light away from direct sunshine.

Place the Calathea fasciata in a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.

Curled, yellowing leaves

Calathea fasciata curled and yellowing leaves are caused by incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering.

Overwatering (soggy soil) causes the roots to die due to lack of oxygen in the soil. When the roots die they cannot take up water and therefore the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die.

Underwatering implies that there is too little moisture in the soil and therefore, the plant has no water to take up to the leaves. Thus, the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die if the situation is not corrected.

Water the plant thoroughly and keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Also, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea fasciata are due to four possible causes. One possible cause is dry air (too little humidity).

Calathea fasciata requires a humid environment inorder to thrive. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in the bathroom or other moist areas in the home where humidity is high.

Calathea fasciata is also ideal for a terrarium where a high humidity can be maintained.

The second cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea fasciata which is accompanied by stunted growth is infestation by spider mites due to the air being too dry (low humidity).

Remove the dead growth and raise humidity for the plant (as outlined above) to discourage the pest infestations.

The third cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea fasciata is watering it with hard water. Water the plant with chlorine-free water only like rain water.

Like other Calatheas, Calathea fasciata is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water and it responds with brown leaf tips and edges.

The fourth cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea fasciata is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may have originated from the water or from the fertilizers used.

Flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.

Plant dying

Calathea fasciata is dying due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil due to poor drainage.

Take out the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.

Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil. Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering. Read more on how to treat root-rot here.

To prevent root-rot in the future, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Also, do not overwater the plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

The second possible reason why Calathea fasciata is dying is pest infestations as it is prone to mealy bugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites.

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Diseases

Besides root-rot disease, Calathea fasciata is also prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows.

The disease is indicated by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for leaf spot disease.