Calathea - Growing, watering and Care

Calathea is a magnificent plant native to South America.

Core Calathea facts:

Name – Calathea crocata, Calathea Mokoyana
Family – Marantaceae
Type – indoor plant

Height – 36 to 40 inches (0.8 to 1 meter) indoors
Exposure – light shade
Soil – soil mix

Foliage – evergreen

Care, repotting, watering and exposure are some of the many small things to do that will make your calathea even more lush.

It makes our houses and apartments look lively with its elevated ornamental impact and unique foliage.

Planting and re-potting calathea

Upon purchasing, if the pot is too small, proceed to repot the plant so that it may grow adequately.

After that, every 2 or 3 years and preferably in spring, repot your calathea in a pot of a slightly larger size.

Calathea roots hate having too much water.
Double-check that the pot has a hole in the bottom.
Increase drainage with a layer of gravel or clay pebbles along the bottom of the pot, to make water flow through more easily.
Good soil mix is needed.
Calathea, when it lives indoors, needs soil mix because that is the only source for the nutrients it needs.

Pruning, and caring for calathea

Remove wilted leaves regularly.

That will stimulate the sending of new shoots and will rejuvenate your plant.

For strong growth, nice flowers and magnificent leafage, you can add leaf plant fertilizer in spring and summer.

Where to place your calathea at home

The best place to set up your calathea is near a window but not direct sunlight. Light shade is preferable, actually.

It is a plant that hence would feel right at home in rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms, which are very moist and usually only have little light.

Indeed, it abhors excess luminosity.
Absolutely avoid setting it near heat sources such as radiators, because a lot of moisture is what this tropical plant needs most.
Ideal temperatures are around 70°F (20°C).

Watering calathea

Regular but moderate watering is called for.

Watering every 2 or 3 days is recommended.
All year long and especially during summer, spray water on the leaves to recreate the moisture levels of its natural habitat.

In spring and summer

Keep the soil mix moist and check that water drains properly.