Calathea plants are absolutely gorgeous with their large, colorful leaves, but they are also notoriously difficult to care for. Even experienced plant parents can struggle to keep these tropical beauties happy and thriving. With the right care techniques, however, calatheas can flourish in your home. We’ve compiled some expert tips to help you successfully grow these finicky yet fabulous plants.

Choosing the Right Calathea for Your Environment

With over 300 different Calathea species and cultivars to choose from, it’s important to select one that will thrive in the conditions your home provides. Consider the following when picking out your Calathea:

Light Requirements

Most Calathea prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch their leaves. The amount of light they need depends on the variety:

Low-light varieties like Calathea orbifolia do best in bright indirect light or even shadier spots.
Medium-light lovers like Calathea makoyana need a bit more light but still indirect sunlight.
High-light options like Calathea crocata can handle more light but still do best in bright indirect light.

Temperature and Humidity Preferences

Calathea are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures of 65-85°F and high humidity of 50-60%. Some varieties are more finicky than others when it comes to these factors.

Cooler-growing options like Calathea lancifolia do well at temps around 65-75°F.
Most species like C. roseopicta need temps closer to 70-80°F to thrive.
Warm-loving types like C. warscewiczii require even warmer temps around 75-85°F.

Plant Size and Growth Rate

Calathea range greatly in size and growth speed, so choose a variety suitable for your space.

Small varieties under 1 foot tall include C. pictoria and C. fasciata.
Mid-size options reaching 1-2 feet like C. orbifolia work well for most homes.
Larger species over 2 feet tall such as C. warscewiczii need more room to grow.
Fast growers like C. crocata may quickly outgrow a space while slow growers like C. lancifolia are better for tight quarters.

Pet-Friendliness

Many Calathea species are non-toxic for pets, but their large leaves may tempt curious kitties. Avoid varieties with delicate leaves like C. warscewiczii if you have pets that might damage them. Sturdier options like C. orbifolia are better in pet households.

By carefully selecting a variety suited for your growing conditions and home, you can set your Calathea up for success right from the start.

Providing Warmth and High Humidity

Calathea are tropical plants that relish warmth and moisture. Ensuring your plant gets enough of both these elements is key to keeping it healthy. Here are some tips:

Maintain temperatures between 65-85°F depending on the species. They enjoy balmy tropical temps.
Use a humidifier to keep humidity levels around 60%. Mist leaves daily for an extra humidity boost.
Group plants together to create a tropical microclimate. Their collective transpiration will increase humidity.
Set pots on pebble trays filled with water or use a humidifying pebble tray to amp up the moisture.
Avoid cold drafts from windows and vents that can shock these tropical beauties.
Move plants away from hot radiators or heating vents that can dry them out.
Increase humidity and warmth in winter when indoor conditions are driest. A greenhouse cabinet provides ideal conditions year-round.

Giving your Calathea steamy, jungle-like conditions will help it thrive and display gorgeous, uncurled foliage.

Providing the Right Potting Mix

Calathea prefer an organic, moisture-retentive but well-draining potting mix. A quality potting soil will provide a healthy root environment.

Ingredients to Use:

Peat or coco coir to retain moisture
Perlite or bark to improve drainage
Compost, worm castings, or rice hulls to nourish roots
Activated charcoal to absorb excess moisture

Mixes to Avoid:

Standard potting soil – usually too dense and moisture-retentive
Straight peat or coco coir – can become waterlogged
Regular garden soil – too heavy and dense

When making your own mix, aim for a roughly equal blend of moisture-retentive and drainage materials. For container gardening, an airy, light commercial mix amended with compost works well.

Re-potting into fresh potting mix yearly or biyearly will refresh the roots and provide nutrition.

Watering Correctly

Figuring out the right watering routine is imperative to keeping Calathea happy. They dislike both constantly soggy and dry soil.

Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Feel with your finger to gauge moisture.
Avoid letting the soil get overly dry or saturated. Consistent light moisture is best.
Let excess water drain fully from the drainage holes before returning to a decorative pot.
Fluoride and salts in tap water can burn the leaf tips – use distilled, filtered, or rainwater if possible.
Increase humidity and water a bit more frequently in warmer months as plants grow actively. Reduce watering in winter.
If lower leaves yellow or crisp, you may be underwatering. If leaf tips brown, you may be overwatering.

Calathea will let you know if their soil moisture needs adjusting through their leaf movement and condition. Pay close attention for cues.

Providing the Right Amount of Light

Getting the lighting levels right is crucial for Calathea health. These plants love bright indirect sunlight.

Place them near an East or West facing window where they’ll receive gentle morning/afternoon sun.
North facing rooms offer nicely diffused light.
Light, sheer curtains can soften intense light from South windows.
Rotate plants periodically so all sides get even light exposure.
Check for signals like reaching stems or faded color to indicate need for more light.
Direct sun will scorch and bleach those gorgeous leaves – avoid at all costs!
If leaves curl dramatically, the plant may be getting too much light. Adjust to a shadier spot.

With the right balance of sunshine and shade, Calathea will reward you with stunning colorful leaves.

Boosting Humidity for Healthy Leaves

Calathea must have consistently high humidity to keep their foliage looking its best. Their large thin leaves lose moisture easily in dry air.

Get a humidifier and aim for 60% humidity or higher.
Group plants together and mist them daily to boost ambient moisture.
Put pots atop pebble trays or use self-watering pots to increase local humidity.
Avoid drafts, heating/cooling vents, and other drying air flows.
Take plants into the bathroom when showering for an instant humidity surge.
If humidity is too low, leaves will curl dramatically, turn crispy at the edges, or develop brown tips.

Proper humidity helps Calathea leaves stay hydrated and unfurled so their colors and patterns shine!

Handling Leaf Curling and Wilting

Some leaf curling or temporary wilting is normal for dramatic Calathea, but excessive or persistent curling is a sign something is wrong.

Determine the cause – excessive sun, dry soil, or low humidity are common culprits.
Adjust conditions to resolve the stressor and leaves should perk back up.
Mist leaves, move to shade, or water as needed to provide immediate relief while troubleshooting.
If curled leaves feel brittle or crispy, the plant is severely dehydrated and needs urgent care.
Remove any shriveled, dead leaves to focus the plant’s energy on new healthy growth.

With good growing conditions, Calathea leaves will unfurl their glory once again!

Avoiding Leaf Burn & Crispy Edges

If the edges and tips of your Calathea leaves turn ugly crispy brown, the plant is showing signs of leaf burn.

This can be caused by dry air, intense sunlight, salt buildup, or chemical additives in tap water.
Improve humidity with daily misting, humidifiers, and pebble trays to alleviate dry air stress.
Move the plant away from hot sunny windows to a spot with gentle indirect light.
Switch to using distilled or filtered water to prevent additive and salt buildup.
Prune off the damaged parts of the leaves so the plant can focus on new healthy growth.

Getting environmental conditions right will help prevent crispy leaves in the future.

Managing Pests

Like many tropical houseplants, Calathea are susceptible to various garden pests. Stay vigilant and address infestations promptly.

Common Calathea Pests:

Spider mites – Tiny webbing and spotting on undersides of leaves. Wipe leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Mealybugs – Fluffy white clusters on stems and undersides of leaves. Remove manually and apply alcohol to kill.
Aphids – Green or black pear-shaped insects on leaves. Spray off with water or treat with horticultural oils or neem oil.
Thrips – Tiny black insects that cause silver streaking. Apply predatory mites or neem oil spray.
Fungus gnats – Tiny black flies that swarm potting mix. Let soil dry out completely between waterings. Apply sand layer or carnivorous nematodes.

Catch infestations early before they cause major damage. Isolate affected plants and always follow treatment directions. With proper pest management, your Calathea will continue to grace you with beauty.

Treatment of Diseases

While generally robust plants, Calathea can occasionally suffer from fungal or bacterial diseases. Maintaining ideal conditions is key to prevention.

Watch for signs of:

Leaf Spot – Small brown spots with yellow halos. Improve airflow and reduce humidity. Apply copper fungicide spray.
Root Rot – Soft black roots and yellow lower leaves. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings. Apply fungicide drench. Discard badly infected plants.
Bacterial Blight – Water-soaked lesions on leaves spreading to dark spots with yellow borders. Remove affected foliage. Apply copper spray and improve air circulation.
Botrytis Blight – Gray fuzzy fungal growth on leaves and stems in humid conditions. Reduce humidity and remove infected parts. Apply fungicidal spray.

With prompt treatment, small infections can usually be contained before plants suffer lasting damage. Prevention through proper cultural care is the best medicine!

Displaying Your Calathea

Beyond proper care, basic design principles can help showcase Calathea as stunning houseplants:

Play up their colorful leaves in natural pottery against neutral backdrops.
Complement their bold patterns with solid color pots or decor items.
Let them take center stage in spotlight plantings like on pedestals or in front of windows.
Contrast dark green varieties against light walls or backgrounds.
Show off light green or variegated types against dark backgrounds.
Group compatible species and cultivars together for dramatic effect.
Add tropical flair with rattan baskets, woven hangers, and decorative stands.

With a little creativity, you can design dazzling displays that highlight your gorgeous Calathea plants!

Maintaining Long-Term Health

To keep your Calathea thriving year after year, maintain proper care and implement a few key practices:

Re-pot into fresh soil annually or biannually to refresh the roots. This prevents root bound plants.
Prune off any dead leaves or spent flower stems to keep the plant energized.
Wipe leaves periodically with a damp cloth to remove dust buildup. This allows leaves to absorb light properly.
Rotate pots periodically to ensure even light exposure and growth habits.
Propagate plants by division every few years to rejuvenate overgrown specimens.
Fertilize moderately in the growing season using a balanced houseplant formula.

With ongoing attentive care, your Calathea will continue blessing you with their spectacular foliage for many years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the leaves of my Calathea curling?

A: Excess leaf curling is most often caused by low humidity levels. Calathea need high ambient moisture. Boost humidity through misting, humidifiers, and pebble trays to alleviate curling.

Q: What causes the leaf tips to turn brown on my Calathea?

A: Crispy leaf tips are usually the result of dry air or accumulated salts and chemicals from tap water. Increase humidity and switch to using distilled or filtered water to prevent further tip burn.

Q: Why do some of the leaves on my Calathea have yellow or faded sections?

A: Discolored patches on the leaves can indicate that the plant is not getting enough light. Move it to a spot with brighter indirect light to bring out fuller coloration.

Q: How can I get my Calathea to bloom?

A: Getting Calathea to flower is trickier indoors than in greenhouses. Provide optimal growing conditions, and increase light and humidity during spring and summer to encourage blooming. But note, the colorful foliage is usually the main attraction!

Q: What are those little bugs swarming the soil of my Calathea?

A: If tiny flying gnats are present around the potting mix, they are likely fungus gnats. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings and apply a sand layer to deter future infestations.

Q: Why do some of my Calathea leaves have large brown spots?

A: Large spots with yellowing edges indicate the fungal disease leaf spot. Improve airflow around plants, prune affected leaves, and apply copper fungicide spray to contain the problem.

Conclusion

With their dazzling leaf designs in intriguing shapes and colors, Calathea are undeniably captivating houseplants. While their specific cultural needs can seem intimidating at first, following the tips provided above will set you and your Calathea up for success together. Just be sure to provide warm, humid, indirect light conditions, properly hydrated but aerated soil, and protection from pests and diseases. With a little extra attention, these tropical beauties will thrive and add wonder to your indoor garden. If their needs are met, Calathea will unfurl their glorious foliage to delight you every time you pass by!

Expert Tips to Keep the Gorgeous But Notoriously Difficult Calathea Alive