Calathea veitchiana (Calathea Medallion) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Calathea Medallion Plant (Calathea veitchiana) grows best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth, above average humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose 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.
Toxicity
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 get these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Calathea veitchiana Care Indoors
Calathea Medallion Plant (Calathea veitchiana) prefers medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 70-80& and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Calathea veitchiana 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 and Humidity
Calathea Medallion Plant prefers average 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 requires above average humidity of 70-80%) to thrive. 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.
You may also grow it in the bathroom and other moist areas in the home if there is adequate lighting. It can also be grown in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
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.
Calathea veitchiana may be grown under grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
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 and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season.
Decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant. 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 to prevent the soil from getting soggy 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 or water from the bottom instead.
Fertilizer
Feed Calathea Medallion Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season to encourage a lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season 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. All purpose potting mixes 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 and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil 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
Pruning Calathea Medallion Plant is easy. Remove 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.
Propagation
Calathea Medallion Plant (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 and Solutions
Calathea Medallion Plant (Calathea veitchiana) growing problems include brown leaf tips, curled and yellow leaves, drooping leaves, loss of leaf color, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Diseases
Calathea Medallion Plant is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows. The disease is marked by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.
Plant dying
Calathea Medallion may die due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil. Slip the plant out of 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. 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 your plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
The second possible reason why your Calathea veitchiana is dying is pest infestations like 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 more on these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Drooping leaves
Calathea Medallion Plant drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air (low humidity). The plant is very sensitive to low air humidity. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea Medallion Plant 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. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.
The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea veitchiana 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 your 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 and repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea Medallion Plant are due to four possible causes. One possible cause is dry air (too little humidity). To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in the bathroom and other moist areas in the home where humidity is high.
The second cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea Medallion Plant 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 to discourage the pest infestations.
The third cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea veitchiana is watering it with hard water. Water it with chlorine-free water only like rain water. Like other Calathea, it 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 Medallion Plant is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may arise from the water or fertilizers used. 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.
Leaves appear washed out
Calathea Medallion Plant washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it grows best in bright indirect light. Position the plant 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 Medallion Plant 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. In addition, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.