Calathea Indoor Care Tips ; Light, Water, Humidity, Temperature, Soil, Fertilizer, Repotting, Pruning
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Calathea Plants are grown for their ornately patterned leaves which will add a splash of color to any space and make a spectacular focal point in any room. They are popular plants on account of their curious characteristic of raising and closing their leaves at night.
Most Calathea varieties may not be easy to grow under room conditions but once the right growing requirements are met, they can last for years.
Calathea Plants are native to the tropical regions of America where they grow as understory plants. Like the shaded floors of their native tropical canopies, they prefer medium to bright indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can damage their fragile leaves resulting in sunburn and dullness in the color of leaves.
Calathea thrive in moist but not wet (soggy) soil. Overwatering or underwatering can lead to brown dry leaf tips. They require high humidity which mimics their natural habitat. Due to their need for high humidity, they are ideal for a closed terrarium or a bottle garden where humidity can be easily maintained.
There are about 60 species in the Calathea genus which belongs to the Marantaceae together with Marantas, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe. These plants are collectively called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of raising and closing their leaves at night.
According to ASPCA, Calathea are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are considered to be among the pet-safe plants that you can grow in the home.
If you are looking to add Calathea Plants to your collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Calathea Indoor Care
Calathea blossom in medium to bright indirect light (dappled light), warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Calathea plants are only repotted when they become pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plants neat and also discourage pest and disease infestation. They also need regular cleaning of the leaves to keep them clean and attractive. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Calathea liberally during the growing season and keep the soil moist through out. Cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist.
Use tepid water that is free of chlorine and flourides as Calathea are sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water and they respond with brown leaf tips and edges.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant. To prevent fungal infestations, avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
Calathea grow best in medium to bright indirect light as the beautiful leaf colors fade in too bright light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause sunburn marks on the leaves.
You may grow the plant under grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Temperature and Humidity
Calathea prefer average warmth of 15-260C. Room temperatures that are comfortable for you are ideal for these plants. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden drops in temperature as they can cause reduced growth, rotting and death of the plant.
Calathea require high humidity of 60-80% to thrive. Low humidity causes the plants to develop brown leaf tips and edges. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plants in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas. You may grow the plant in a closed terrarium. Check out these techniques on how to elevate humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean and neat and also discourage pest infestation. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Calathea with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once monthly 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 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.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Calathea Plants should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting soils are ideal for these plants.
Repotting
Repot Calathea every 2 years at the beginning of the growing season (in spring) when it becomes pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
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 in about 3-4 weeks once it takes root. Take a look at these pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Calathea involves removal of dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves with a clean sharp knife or clean pruning scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk. Make clean cuts to avoid unnecessary injuries and also reduce disease infestations.
Propagation
Calathea Plants are 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 Problems and Solutions
Calathea problems include drooping leaves, loss of leaf color, brown leaf tips, curled and yellow leaves, rotting, plant dying, pests and diseases among others.
Drooping leaves
Calathea drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air (low humidity). To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a terrarium.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea 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. Make sure 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 correctly.
The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Calathea 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
Plant dying
Calathea 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. Avoid overwatering the plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time therefore, the plant does not require much water.
The second possible reason why Calathea is dying is pest infestations as it is prone to 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
Diseases
Calathea 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 plants and treat it for the disease.
Leaves appear washed out
Calathea washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it grows best in bright indirect. Position the plant to a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.
Curled, yellowing leaves
Calathea 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 consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Ascertain 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 Calathea are due to four possible causes. One possible cause is dry air (too little humidity). To increase 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 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 is watering it with hard water. Water the plant with chlorine-free water only like rain water. The plants are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water and they respond with brown leaf tips and edges.
The fourth cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Calathea is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may have arisen 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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