Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide

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Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Calathea Jungle Velvet also called Calathea warscewiczii is one of the popular Calathea varieties and bears beautifully patterned leaves with purple-toned undersides and a velvety feel.

The common name, 'Calathea Jungle Velvet', is in reference to the beautiful, velvety, purplish leaves which are borne on long stalks and arise from an underground rhizome. These plants are some of the popular purple-leaved plants and will create a spectacular sight in any space.

When given the right growing conditions, Goeppertia warscewiczii is a gratifying addition to any plant collection and is one of the best plants for the office space.

Botanical name: Goeppertia warscewiczii
Synonym: Calathea warscewiczii
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Calathea Jungle Velvet

Origin

Calathea warscewiczii also called Goeppertia warscewiczii is endemic to Costa Rica and Nicaragua and grows as an understory plant. It is among the best tropical foliage plants perfect for growing in the home or office space.

Size and Flower

Calathea Jungle Velvet grows to a height of about 3 feet and about 3 feet wide. The plant is not grown for the flower but under good growing conditions it can produce white cone-like inflorescences that fade to yellow or pink.

Toxicity

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

Related Plants

Goeppertia warscewiczii 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 are looking to add Calathea Jungle Velvet to your collection, you may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Goeppertia warscewiczii Care Indoors

Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Calathea Jungle Velvet only requires repotting when it becomes pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on the growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Calathea warscewiczii grows best in medium to bright indirect light away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves. Keep it away from too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade (loss of leaf color).

Goeppertia warscewiczii can also be grown under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Watering

Water Goeppertia warscewiczii liberally during the growing season and keep the soil consistently moist. Cut down on 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 plant shock. The water should also be free of chlorine and flourides as Calathea Jungle Velvet like other Calathea is sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water which cause brown leaf tips and edges.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. To discourage fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases, avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead.

Temperature and Humidity

Goeppertia warscewiczii prefers average warmth of 16-28⁰C. 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 warscewiczii requires high humidity of 60% to 80% to thrive. Low humidity will result in 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 or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home. Goeppertia warscewiczii is one of the best plants for the bathroom on account of its requirement for warm, humid conditions.

Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Confirm that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Potting Mix

The best potting mix for Calathea warscewiczii should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All Purpose potting soils are ideal for this plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Goeppertia warscewiczii with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season to promote lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.

Occasionally, 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.

Repotting

Repot Goeppertia warscewiczii 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 result in rotting.

One day before repotting, water the plant thoroughly to hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

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 once it takes root; in about 3-4 weeks. Take a look at these pots with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Calathea warscewiczii is easy. Remove dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves with a sharp knife or scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk.

Propagation

Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) 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.

Goeppertia warscewiczii Common Problems

Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) growing problems indoors include drooping leaves, loss of leaf color, brown leaf tips, curled and yellow leaves, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Diseases

Goeppertia warscewiczii is 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 the disease.

Plant dying

Goeppertia warscewiczii is dying 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. Do not overwater the plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not require much water.

The second possible reason why Calathea warscewiczii is dying is pest infestations like mealy bugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the pests.

Read more on these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.

Drooping leaves

Goeppertia warscewiczii drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air (low humidity) as it is very sensitive to low air humidity. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom or other moist areas in the home.

The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea warscewiczii is incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering. Water the plant liberally and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season.

Reduce watering during 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. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the right way.

The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Goeppertia warscewiczii 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 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

Leaves appear washed out

Goeppertia warscewiczii washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it thrives in medium to bright indirect light away from direct sunshine. Move it to a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.

Curled, yellowing leaves

Goeppertia warscewiczii 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. As such, the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die if the situation is not corrected.

Water the Calathea Jungle Velvet thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist 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.

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges

Brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Goeppertia warscewiczii 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 use a cool mist humidifier.

The second cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Goeppertia warscewiczii which is accompanied by stunted growth is spider mites infestation due to too dry air (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 warscewiczii is watering it with hard water. Water it with chlorine-free water as 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 Jungle Velvet is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may have comes from the water or 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.

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