Calathea veitchiana Care Instructions: Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems
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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 well-liked 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 favored 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 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 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.
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, drooping 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, drooping and yellow leaves.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant as it can result in stunted growth. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent brown leaf tips and edges.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging which can result in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to discourage fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Calathea Medallion Plant prefers medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Avoid too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade. 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, give the pot a 900 turn on monthly basis, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Temperature & Humidity
Calathea Medallion Plant prospers in 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 sources of drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes as they can result in stunted growth, drooping and yellowing.
Calathea veitchiana flourishes in a humidity of 70-80%; too low humidity can cause brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air flow 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 the conditions inside are constantly humid.
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) by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time to get rid of as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for Calathea Medallion Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent waterlogging. A mix made up of 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite or sand, and 1 part coconut coir or peat moss is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Calathea Medallion Plant every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season, when root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.
Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil 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 during repotting. Dividing the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase. Learn how to propagate Calathea Plants in 2 easy ways.
Calathea veitchiana Problems & Solutions
Calathea Medallion Plant problems are drooping leaves, plant dying, brown leaf tips & edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Calathea Medallion Plant are due to too dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, being pot-bound, temperature stress 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, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, low light, temperature stress, dry air, spider mites infestation among others.
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 or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier 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.
Pests
Pests of Calathea veitchiana are 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.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity
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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