Caring for a Calathea plant can be a rewarding experience, as long as you know what you’re doing. Keeping the temperature, humidity, light, water, and fertilizer requirements in mind is essential to keeping your plant happy and healthy. Making sure you provide the right conditions for your Calathea plant can help you avoid common issues that may arise. With the right knowledge, you can create a lush, vibrant environment for your Calathea plant to thrive!
Temperature Requirements
When it comes to temperature, Calathea plants thrive best in an environment that’s warm, but not too hot. The ideal temperature for your Calathea plant is between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius.
If the temperature in the room where your plant is located is too low, it’s likely that your plant won’t be growing as well as it should. If the temperature is too high, your Calathea will start to become stressed and the leaves may start to curl and yellow.
Calathea plants are sensitive to both temperature extremes, so you’ll want to make sure that the room where your plant is located is not too hot or too cold. It’s also important to note that if you are growing your plant indoors and the temperature outside drops too low, you’ll want to move your plant indoors to keep it warm enough.
If the temperature dips too low, your plant may start to suffer from cold shock, which can cause the leaves to yellow and fall off. In addition to temperature, your Calathea plant also needs to be in an environment with consistent humidity levels. It’s important to make sure that the humidity levels are kept at a consistent level, as sudden changes in humidity levels can cause stress to your plant.
If the humidity levels become too high, the leaves may start to yellow, and if the humidity levels become too low, your Calathea may start to suffer from dehydration. To ensure that your Calathea is getting the right amount of humidity, you can place a humidifier near the plant or mist it with a spray bottle.
Humidity Requirements
Humidity is important to maintain with Calathea plants. It thrives best with a relative humidity of 60-80%. This can be achieved in a variety of ways.
The easiest and most common is to mist the foliage daily or use a humidifier. You can group your plants together to increase the humidity, place it on a pebble tray, or use a room humidifier.
If the humidity is too low for your Calathea, it’s leaves may become crispy and dry.
It’s also important to watch for any signs of air-drying. If you notice that the leaves are becoming dry and brittle, it’s time to take action.
Make sure to regularly monitor the humidity levels around the plant, and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Keep in mind that Calatheas don’t like to stay too wet, so make sure to not over-water it. Proper humidity levels will help you keep your Calathea healthy and happy.
Light Requirements
When it comes to light requirements for a Calathea plant, the more indirect light, the better. You should avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the plant to become sunburned or develop brown spots.
Place the plant in a spot that gets bright, indirect light, such as an east-facing window, but out of the direct path of the sun. If you can’t find a spot with enough natural sunlight, consider adding a grow light to give your Calathea the light it needs. In addition to providing your Calathea with indirect light, you should also give it some “light playtime” during the day.
This means taking your plant to a bright spot for a few hours every day, and then returning it to its normal spot.
Doing this will help to keep your Calathea’s leaves perky and bright. When it comes to light, make sure that you don’t move your Calathea too often. This can confuse the plant, causing it to become stressed out or start to shed its leaves. If you must move your Calathea, do it gradually and slowly, giving the plant time to adjust to its new spot.
Water Requirements
When it comes to watering your Calathea plant, you need to get the balance just right. Overwatering can lead to root rot; underwatering can also cause stunted growth and drooping leaves.
It’s best to let the soil dry out between waterings, and then water deeply until the excess comes out of the bottom of the pot. When you do water, make sure to use lukewarm water and avoid cold water that can shock the plant and cause the leaves to curl. Using the finger test is the best way to determine if your Calathea needs water – stick your finger into the soil and if it’s dry up to your first knuckle, it’s time to water.
Make sure that you are not allowing the water to sit in a saucer underneath the pot, as this can cause the roots to become waterlogged and rot. Following these steps will ensure that your Calathea gets the perfect amount of water.
Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilizing your Calathea plant is an important part of proper care. It’s important to use a balanced fertilizer, such as one with a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 ratio, at half the recommended strength.
This should be done every two to four weeks, or following the directions on the fertilizer you choose. To ensure your Calathea is getting the best nutrition, alternate between a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and a calcium, iron, and magnesium supplement.
Doing this will help promote lush, healthy foliage. If your plant is in a pot, be sure to leach the soil once a month.
This means flushing the soil with a few extra cups of water to help rinse away any excess fertilizer that can build up in the potting soil. This will help keep your Calathea’s roots healthy and prevent any fertilizer burn. Don’t forget to feed your Calathea during its growing season – from spring to late summer – to give it the extra nutrients it needs.
How to Propagate Calathea Plants
Propagating Calathea plants is a great way to expand your collection and share with friends. The best way to propagate Calathea plants is by division.
You can easily divide the plants when they become overcrowded or when the leaves become too large for the pot. Start by selecting the healthiest, most mature plant and cut the rhizomes away from the main plant. Make sure each division has a few healthy leaves and at least one root.
Repot the divisions into their own containers with moist soil and give them lots of indirect light and humidity.
With proper care, the divisions will quickly shoot out new growth. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also propagate Calathea plants from stem cuttings. Take a few healthy cuttings from the top of the plant and place them in a container of water or damp soil.
Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy and provide plenty of indirect light. Once the cuttings have formed roots, you can transplant them into their own containers. With both division and stem cuttings, you should begin to see new growth soon.
Troubleshooting Common Calathea Plant Issues
If you’ve noticed signs of distress in your Calathea plant, such as discolored leaves or drooping stalks, it’s important to take action to troubleshoot the issues. Don’t panic – with a little TLC and some detective work, you can get your plant back on track in no time.
Start by examining the plant’s environment. Check the temperature, humidity, and light levels of the room. Make sure the temperature is between 65 and 85°F, and the humidity is between 50 and 70%.
Too much or too little of either can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is receiving the right amount of indirect light. If these aspects of the environment are good, it may be time to check the plant’s watering and fertilizer schedule. Calathea plants need to be watered regularly but not overly so.
Stick your finger in the soil – if it’s damp, it’s time to wait.
As for fertilizer, use a balanced liquid fertilizer every other month during the growing season, and skip fertilizing entirely during the winter months. If you’re having trouble getting your Calathea plant to thrive despite doing all of the above, try propagating the plant by carefully dividing it and repotting the sections. With the right care and attention, your Calathea plant will be back to its lush and vibrant self in no time.