Calathea veitchiana (Calathea Medallion) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems & Solutions
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Calathea Medallion Plant (Calathea veitchiana) grows best in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Calathea veitchiana is one of the popular Calathea varieties and bears large, beautifully, patterned leaves with purple undersides.
The top of the leaves can be green or purple with very magnificent patterns which places this plant among the purple-leaved plants and is one of the best plants for the office space for adding a splash of color.
Botanical name: Calathea veitchiana
Synonym: Goeppertia veitchiana
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Calathea Medallion
Origin
Calathea veitchiana is native to the tropical forests in Ecuador where it grows as an understory plant and is one of the best tropical foliage plants that you can grow successfully.
Size and Flower
Calathea Medallion Plant grows to a height of about 2-3 feet and about 1-2 feet wide. The plant is not grown for the flower and is unlikely to flower under room conditions.
Is Calathea veitchiana toxic?
No. Calathea veitchiana like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors.
Related Plants
Calathea Medallion Plant 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.
Where to buy
If you would like to add Calathea Medallion to your collection. You may aquire these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to care for Calathea veitchiana Indoors
To care for Calathea veitchiana indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 70-80& and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Calathea Medallion Plant care requires repotting only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on the growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Temperature & Humidity
Calathea Medallion Plant prefers a warmth of 15-280C. At temperatures below this range, the plant stops growing while temperatures above this range may cause the plant to die.
Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature which the plant cannot tolerate and may cause it to die.
Calathea veitchiana flourishes in a humidity of 70-80%. Low humidity causes the plant to develop brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
You may also grow it in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home. It can also be grown in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Light Requirements
Calathea Medallion Plant grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Avoid too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause sunburn on the beautiful leaves.
If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.
For uniform growth of the plant, turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Watering
Water Calathea Medallion Plant liberally in spring and summer and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing.
Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Never allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and drooping leaves.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant as it can result in stunted growth. Only water with water that is free of chlorine and flourides as Calathea veitchiana is sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water which cause brown leaf tips and edges.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging as it can result to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
To minimize fungal infestations like leaf spot, avoid wetting the foliage during watering; water from the bottom instead.
Fertilizer
Feed Calathea Medallion Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to encourage a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
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 Medium
The best potting medium for Calathea Medallion Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most potting mixes designed for Aroids are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Calathea Medallion Plant every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season when it becomes root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
Before repotting, water the plant thoroughly at least one day before to hasten establishment; a well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Divide a large plant 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. Check out these self watering pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Calathea Medallion Plant involves removal of dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and reduce pest and disease infestations.
Cut the leaves with a sharp knife or clean pair of scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk.
Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Calathea veitchiana Propagation
Calathea veitchiana is best propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (in spring) during repotting. Dividing the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase.
Read more on how to propagate Calathea Plants in 2 easy ways.
Calathea veitchiana Problems & Solutions
Calathea Medallion Plant (Calathea veitchiana) problems are drooping leaves, plant dying, brown leaf tips & edges, loss of leaf color, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Drooping leaves
Calathea Medallion Plant drooping leaves are due to too dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, being pot-bound or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier, group the plants together or grow the plant in a terrarium.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Confirm that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole.
Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot surfaces, hot air vents, windy doors among others.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It.
Plant dying
Calathea Medallion may die due to root-rot disease or spider mites infestation.
How to fix it
Root-rot: The diseases is prevalent in soggy soil. It is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
- Carefully remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim the brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Reduce watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Spider mites infestations: Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures. Upscale humidity to depress the pests.
Read more on these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Calathea Medallion are due to dry air, spider mites infestation, use of hard water, and salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
Spider mites infestation: Remove the dead growth and raise humidity to discourage the pests.
Use of hard water: Use water that is chlorine-free like rain water or filtered water.
Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil.
Loss of leaf color
Calathea veitchiana washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight. Place it in a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.
Pests
Calathea veitchiana is prone to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites which are prevalent in low humidity.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers instructions.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant properly pruned and raise humidity to discourage pest infestation.
Diseases
Calathea veitchiana is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows. The disease is characterized by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to minimize the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to cover all the parts with the fungicidal solution.
- Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air circulation.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
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