Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems & Remedies
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Goeppertia warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained 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
Calathea Jungle Velvet grows to a height of about 3 feet and about 3 feet wide.
Flower
Calathea warscewiczii flower is a white cone-like inflorescence which fades to yellow or pink. However, the plant is not grown for the flower but under good growing conditions it may bloom.
Is Calathea warscewiczii toxic?
No. Calathea warscewicziilike is non-toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. Goeppertia warscewiczii is safe for cats, dogs and other pets.
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).
How to care for Calathea warscewiczii indoors
To care for Calathea warscewiczii indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.
Calathea Jungle Velvet care requires repotting when it gets 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
Where is the best place to put Calathea warscewiczii?
Calathea warscewiczii grows best in medium to bright indirect light. Put it infront of a large, well-lit window but away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves. Keep it away from too bright light as it will cause the leaf colour to fade (loss of leaf color).
Too little light will result in stunted growth and yellow leaves. Therefore, where the natural lighting is not sufficient, use a full spectrum grow light to supplement it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
How often do you water Calathea warscewiczii?
Water Calathea warscewiczii liberally in spring and winter while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, yellowing and drooping leaves.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent yellowing, curling and wilting leaves.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock which can result in stunted growth and death of the plant. The water should be free of chlorine and flourides to prevent brown leaf tips and edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
To discourage fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases, avoid wetting the foliage during watering; water from the bottom instead.
Temperature & Humidity
Goeppertia warscewiczii prefers average warmth of 16-280C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid temperature flactuations which can cause stunted growth, yellowing and drooping leaves.
Calathea warscewiczii flourishes in a humidity of 60% to 80%. Too 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 upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier. Maintain a good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
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.
Fertilizer
What is the best fertilizer for Calathea warscewiczii?
Feed Calathea warscewiczii with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to promote lush growth.
Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Occasionally, flush out accumulated 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
What kind of soil does Calathea warscewiczii like?
Calathea warscewiczii likes a loose, well-draining that is rich in organic matter which does no get soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite or vermiculite (for proper drainage) is good for these plants.
Repotting
Repot Goeppertia warscewiczii every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when it gets 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 waterlogging as it can result in rotting and death of the plant. Take a look at these pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
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 too 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.
Pruning & Grooming
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.
Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
Calathea warscewiczii Propagation
Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) is propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) during repotting. Dividing the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase. Unfortunately, Goeppertia warscewiczii will not propagate from leaf or stem cuttings.
Learn how to propagate Calathea Plants in 2 easy ways.
Calathea warscewiczii Problems & Solutions
Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) problems are drooping, yellow leaves, plant dying, brown leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Drooping
Why is my Calathea warscewiczii drooping?
Your Calathea warscewiczii is drooping due to dry air, improper watering, being pot-bound, pests infestations or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Dry air: To heighten humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a closed terrarium.
Incorrect watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the 1-2 few inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Make sure 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.
Pests infestations: Regularly check betwwen and underneath the leaves for pests and carry out timely corrective measures.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from hot air vents, stoves, AC units, wicy doors and windows among others.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Calathea warscewiczii turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Calathea warscewiczii are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients or too little light.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil. Always discard excess water from the saucer after watering.
Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.
Lack of nutrients: Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Too little light: Place the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adquate.
Plant dying
Why is my Calathea Jungle Velvet dying?
Your Calathea Jungle Velvet is dying due to inconsistent watering, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, low humidity, pests infestations or root-rot.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on a schedule.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot stoves among others.
Nutrients defeciency: Fertilize with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Low humidity: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.
Root-rot: The disease is prevalent in soggy soil.
- Carefully slip the plant out of 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.
- Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Read more on these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Brown leaves
Why are my Calathea Jungle Velvet leaves turning brown?
The main causes of brown leaves on your Calathea Jungle Velvet are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients, pests infestations, salts buildup or direct sunlight.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but never allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil. Always discard excess water from the catch plate after watering.
Extreme temperatures: Keep the plant away from source of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.
Lack of nutrients: Feed with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.
Salts buildup: Flush out accumulated salts regulaely by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Direct sunlight: Position the plant in a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to shield it from direct sunlight.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Calathea warscewiczii are caused by dry air, pests infestations, use of hard water or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To riase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home.
Pests infestation: Remove the dead growth and raise humidity to discourage the pest infestations.
Use of hard water: Water the plant with rain water or filtered water.
Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests
What are the pests on Calathea warscewiczii?
The common pests on Calathea warscewiczii are mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spidermites.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
- Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned and raise humidity to discourage pest infestation.
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 (brown, soft leaf spots).
How to fix it
- Remove and destroy the affected parts to minimize spread to the rest of the plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturers instructions.
- Keep the plant dry for some time before resuming watering and ensure there is good air flow.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you take care of Goeppertia warscewiczii?
For best growth, give Goeppertia warscewiczii medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-280C, 50% to 80% humidity and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
2. How to propagate Calathea Jungle Velvet?
Calathea Jungle Velvet is easily propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season at the time of repotting.
3. What is the best soil mix for Calathea warscewiczii?
Calathea warscewiczii requires loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter as it cannot tolerate soggy soil.
4. Can Calathea warscewiczii grow in water?
It is possible to grow Calathea warscewiczii in water but it may not do as well as in soil. For lush growth, use soft water and ensure that the solution is well-balanced in nutrients.
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