CALATHEA

CALATHEA

Hey plant friends! A new week means a new plant feature, and this week we’ve chosen the ever-so-popular Calathea!

A striking and enticing plant, Calathea are famed for their stunning and diverse foliage. Many calathea enthusiasts will strive to collect multiple varieties, especially the hard-to-come-by types. Although this plant can tend to be a little fussy, with the right care you can keep yours happy and thriving!

Calatheas are native to jungles in the Tropical Americas and can commonly be found growing at the base of trees. Although Calathea make a beautiful house plant, they have actually had many purposes in their native land, including being used by locals for wrapping food and crafting objects such as baskets.

CALATHEA CARE

When you finally bring your calathea home, it’s vital to think of its native habitat when choosing a location. Most of the time, calathea would be shaded by trees, so they prefer a location that has medium light and no direct sun. Harsh sunlight can burn the delicate leaves and cause the unique foliage to fade.

Humidity is key for calathea to thrive. Aim for at least 50% humidity, and a warm, consistent temperature (between 18C and 30C is ideal). Calathea prefer to be kept moist but hate to be too saturated. Watering when the first couple of inches of soil feel dry is usually a pretty good rule of thumb. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and aerated. We recommend amending your potting mix with perlite or coco coir to help retain moisture, but avoid root rot!

Calatheas are not big feeders, but can benefit from a diluted fertilizer every two weeks during their active growing season (April – October)

CALATHEA + PETS

Thankfully Calathea are one of the plants that are considered safe for cats and dogs. However, your plant isn’t always safe from your pets! If your animals have a tendency to chew on leaves, you’ll want to keep your prized plants out of reach to help keep the beautiful foliage safe.

CALATHEA ISSUES

If you notice your Calathea has curling leaves, brown edges, and is dropping leaves, it’s likely due to low humidity or underwatering! Try to increase the humidity by running a humidifier or moving it to the bathroom (if there’s enough light). Sudden temperature changes can cause your Calathea quite a bit of stress, and often results in wilting leaves and new growth dying. Try your best to avoid drafts from heaters, air conditioners and drafty windows. Another common issue with Calatheas is their sensitivity to salt and chlorine. Try your best to always use filtered water, this can also help avoid yellowing leaves and brown leaf tips.

Pick out your favourite calathea variety today!

With so many different varieties to choose from, you’ll have a hard time only picking one!