These tropical houseplants charm with their stunning striped or otherwise patterned foliage.
The leaves noticeably lift and dip in a circadian rhythm.
Thesepretty houseplantsthrive with minimal maintenance.
They do best in bright, indirect light but also tolerate low-light conditions.
There are 60 different calathea species and many cultivars with striped or otherwise patterned leaves.
When grown as houseplants, calatheas rarely bloom.
They don’t need frequent watering.
good idea to water calatheas every one to two weeks at the most.
Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings is essential to keep the plants from becoming waterlogged.
They also love humidity, mimicking their native tropical environments.
Light
Indoors, calatheas should be placed in a location with bright, indirect light.
Outdoors, calatheas need filtered sunlight, such as under a tree canopy.
In direct sunlight, they will burn, leaving the foliage less vibrant.
Soil
Plant calatheas inpotting mixthat contains peat moss to ensure excellent drainage and the proper pH.
Outdoors, plant them in loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Maintain a well-draining soil to avoid root rot.
Calatheas require a balance of consistent watering to prevent leaves from browning and avoid waterlogged soil.
Temperature And Humidity
Calatheas thrive in temperatures similar to their native climates.
Their ideal temperature range is between 70 and 85F; avoid letting the temperature drop below 60F.
take a stab at keep the plant in humid conditions that mimic the plant’s tropical environment.
Fertilizer
Calatheas benefit from abalanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizerin the spring and summer.
Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant or less actively growing.
Types Of Calatheas
Calatheas are available in a wide variety, all with beautiful leaves.
Propagating Calatheas
Propagate calatheas should be at least two years old when propagated through root division.
The best time to do this is in the spring or summer.
How To Grow Calatheas From Seed
Growing calatheas from seed is more challenging than through root division.
Start seeds in the spring.
Fill a seed-starting tray filled with damp potting mix and lightly press the seeds into the mixture.
Place a clear plastic bag or dome over the tray to trap humidity.
Place the tray in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil moist.
After the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic.
Transplant into larger containers as needed.
Choose containers larger than the root ball with plenty of drainage holes.
Containers at least 8 to 10 inches deep provide enough space for roots to expand.
It is only necessary to repot calatheas every one to two years.
Water the plants deeply before repotting.
Check them for any pests and use an insecticidal soap if required.
double-check the indoor humidity is high byusing a humidifieror terrarium or placing the plant in the bathroom when showering.
Allowing the soil to completely dry before watering helps to prevent pests.
Treatment includes spraying calatheas with neem oil and regularly wiping down leaves.
Diseases that impact calatheas include root rot and bacterial leaf spots.
Using clean water and well-draining soil helps to avoid these problems.
Curling Leaves
Wilting or curling calathea leaves occur when plants are underwatered.
Underwatered calatheas or low humidity levels cause the plant to dry out and die back, an irreversible process.
Curling leaves can also be a sign of too much direct sunlight.
Root rot takes place if calatheas are overwatered, which is first noticeable in older leaves.
If the soil does not dry out, calatheas will wilt and leaves drop.
Exposing plants to certain minerals can also cause yellowing foliage.
Water the plant with distilled water.
Consider watering the plant with distilled water.
