How to Care for Calathea Plants
Plant Guide

Calatheas should be repotted every 12 to 18 months to replace vital nutrients. You will know it's time to repot your Calathea if the soil dries frequently and requires excessive watering. Repotting your plant is also the perfect time to propagate by division. Once you pull your Calathea out of its old pot, gently loosen up the roots and pull away pieces not connected to the mother plant. Then you can repot your new plant in another container with fresh soil.

Calathea plants are typically not bothered by insect pests but they are occasionally bothered by spider mites but these can easily be dealt with easily. The key to saving your plant from these pests is to catch them early, or else they could kill your plant. Check your plant every few days for any signs of pests, and don't forget to check the undersides of the leaves. If you notice sticky residue or a few mites, you have a few options to choose from.

You can gently spray your plant with a hose to try and wash the pets off your plant. Try soaking a cotton ball with alcohol and cleaning the leaves on both sides. You can also spray your plant with neem oil, an organic, plant-based insecticide.

Calathea leaves will curl as a result of too much direct sunlight. If you suspect this is what is happening move the plant to a location where it will receive less light. Another reason the leaves can curl is too much water. If calatheas are over-watered the roots will begin to rot and this can cause the leaves to curl.

A common occurrence with other plants in this family is for the tips or edges of the leaves to turn brown. This can be caused by fertilizing when the plant is dry, using a fertilizer high in salts, or extremes in watering (going from too wet to too dry). While this won’t kill the plant, it does start to look unsightly, and the browned edges are removed. It’s crucial to make sure the plant has been watered recently before using a water-based fertilizer; it can dilute your regular fertilizer by 3/4 to 1/2 strength to avoid the brown edges.

These plants can be successfully propagated by dividing is stems. Each stem grows a few leaf stalks, so it is typically easy to see where they can be separated. Separate them with their attached leaves and place them in a pot. Fill the pot with a potting soil mix and water thoroughly. It may take some time for your plants to begin to grow, but keep an eye on them, and they will be ready to go in no time.

If you live in an area with low humidity levels, misting your houseplant is a must! Calathea plants thrive in humid environments, and if they do not have this, they can dry out and develop crispy leaves. When you are using this plant as a houseplant, it can be tricky to recreate a humid environment. However, misting your plant's leaves in the morning is an excellent alternative. Always remember to mist only in the morning; if you mist any later in the day, your plant's foliage could susceptible to burning. Water droplets attract the sun's rays, and if they are not dry by the time mid-day sun arrives, it could damage your plant.

You can revive your dying houseplant by ensuring the soil is moist, yet well-draining soil and the plant is in bright, indirect sunlight. The ideal temperatures for your plant to stay in are 65 degrees to 75 degrees. Always avoid putting your plant near air currents, drafts, or air conditioning units. If your plant is near these, it could dry out quickly. To help your plant stay healthy, mist its leaves in the morning!

Your houseplant will begin to lose its distinctive coloring if it is receiving too much sunlight. If your plant is under direct light that is too bright, the color or patterns will fade, making it look fairly plain next to other plants of the same type. Your plant could even have crisp tips if it has been exposed for a long period. Always place your plant in bright but indirect sunlight. Doing so will allow your plant to take in as much sun as it needs while not receiving too much direct light.