12 Reasons for Calathea is Dying and How to Save It
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Calathea is dying due to too little light, inconsistent watering, nutrients deficiency, low humidity, being pot-bound, pests infestation and diseases among others.
Though Calathea are popular indoor plants, some Calathea varieties are fussy plants and are not easy to grow indoors. However, a few varieties easily adapt to indoor growing conditions and will thrive when given the right growing conditions.
Calathea flourish in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn how to grow and care for Calathea indoors.
If the correct growing conditions are missing, Calathea will develop some problems and may even die. Below are 12 reasons why a Calathea Plant may die and how to fix them.
12 Reasons Calathea Plant is Dying and Remedies
1. Too little light
Light is necessary for photosynthesis, the process of making food, needed for growth and energy for the plant. Therefore, too little light means that the plant cannot make enough food for growth and development which results in stunted growth and death of the plant.
How to fix it
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a full spectrum grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Once monthly, give the pot a quarter turn, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
2. Poor quality soil
Poor quality soil does not drain easily and easily becomes compacted or soggy which can result in reduced growth and death of the Plant.
How to fix it
The best soil for Calathea should be loose, well-draining and rich in organic matter to provide the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite or vermiculite (for proper drainage) is good for Calatheas.
3. Inconsistent watering
Overwatering causes the roots to die due to lack of oxygen. When the roots die they cannot take up water and therefore the leaves begin to wilt, curl 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 droop, curl and eventually die if the situation is not corrected.
How to fix it
Water Calathea when the soil dry out slightly but but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged time period.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
4. Nutrients deficiency
Enought nutrients and water are required for making food needed for growth and energy. Insufficient nutrients in the actively growing parts causes the plant to begin to die which starts with yellowing and leaf drop.
How to fix it
Feed Calathea with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once monthly in spring and summer to boost growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time and can lead to fertilizer burn.
5. Low humidity
Low humidity will cause brown leaf tips and edges, drooping and yellowing leaves, and stunted growth which can result in eventual plant death.
How to fix it
To increase humidity for Calathea, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier. You can also grow the plants in a terrarium or in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas in the home.
6. Being pot-bound
The roots of a pot-bound plant have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold enough water when the plant is watered. This implies that there is no water for the plant to take up to the leaves for photosynthesis, therefore, the plant cannot make adequate food for growth. Lack of enough food will cause wilting, drooping and eventual death of the plant.
How to fix it
Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the plant into a pot one size larger or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.
Thereafter, repot the Calathea Plant every 2 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when pot-bound. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
7. Pest infestations
Calathea are prone to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions. These pests suck plant sap resulting in drooping, brown leaf tips and edges, stunted growth and eventual death of the plant.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with an insecticidal soap or a neem oil as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
- To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or put the plant in a well-lit bathroom to discourage the pests.
- Keep the Calathea well groomed by removal of dead and yellow foliage to minimize pest infestations. Cut the leaves with a clean sharp knife or scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk.
8. Root-rot disease
Root-rot disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse. It is promoted by soggy soil.
How to fix it
- Slip the Calathea 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 copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.
- Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
- Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering.
- Take care not to overwater in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time, therefore, the plant does not require much water.
9. Leaf spot disease
Leaf spot disease is indicated by brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo (brown, soft leaf spots). It is prevalent in warm, humid conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
How to fix it
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and spray it with a systemic fungicide and ensure all the parts are completely covered with the fungicidal solution.
Maintain good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage during watering to discourage the disease infestation.
10. Drafts
Drafts from AC units, stove, hot air vents, windy doors, drafty windows and others, will cause sudden temperature changes which will lead to stunted growth and eventual plant death.
How to fix it
Keep Calathea away from sources of drafts to maintain an average warmth with a minimum of 150C.
11. Salts buildup
Accumulation of salts in the soil originating from hard water or the fertilizers used will result in brown leaf tips, reduced growth and death of the plant.
How to fix it
Water Calathea with chemical-free water only like rain water or filtered water to prevent plant death.
Regularly, flush out accumulated salts 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.
12. Direct sunlight
Exposing Calathea Plant to direct sunlight will cause scorching, wilting, drooping and eventual death of the plant.
How to fix it
Position Calathea in a more shaded spot or use a sheer curtain to shield it from direct sunshine.
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