Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. This means you can practically place them on a window sill if you like or even as the centerpiece on a table in the living room. ✦ Regular pruning and timely removal of brown leaves can help maintain the height of the plant. It’s often caused by low levels of humidity. When buying Calatheas, be sure to thoroughly inspect the leaves for spider mites. Calathea plants are native to Africa, the West Indies, and Central and South America and have large, oval, distinctly patterned, and vibrantly colored leaves. How to Create Garden Gnomes With Concrete, 5 Best Potting Soil Brands: How To Choose The Right Mix For Your Garden, 14 Coolest Fairy Garden Kits With Whimsical Looks, 5 Best Cheap Grow Lights And The Benefits, 12 Best Raised Garden Bed Kits That Are Easily Assemble, Lavender Plant Care: How To Grow Lavender Plants. However, spider mites also cause leaf discoloration and yellow patches on the glossy green leaves. 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. Otherwise, the roots would rot. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. Lack of moisture results in dryness of the leaves. Luckily, the waxy leaves of the Calathea attract dust and absorb carbon dioxide but that’s all they attract. Another species that has gained this award is Calathea zebrina (zebra plant). Spider mites are the most common plant pest affecting Calathea musaica. Calathea species come with beautiful leaves that have different, bright, colorful patterns on the top side. The leaves are about 12 inches long and are prominently marked. Unfortunately, several species are threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat destruction. Finally if you end up with the calathea bug and want to own these plants, group them together. Calathea care is a little bit more complex than growing it. Calathea zebrina: The so-called zebra plant has green, stripe-like markings on the tops of its leaves, with rich purple undersides. Did you know? Calathea species are endemic to Ecuador, or subtropical/tropical, lowland/highland moist forests. It’s one of the reasons that growing the Calathea indoors is often preferred over planting it in the garden. Warmth and humidity are key factors in the success of the Calathea. Pests. If you’re lucky you should be able to find Calathea ornata in your local plant store. • Common Names: Peacock plant, cathedral, zebra plant, calathea, or prayer plant. Choose a spot that doesn’t get direct sunlight but still is flooded with light. The best type of light for this tropical plant is a filtered one. Contents: 1. • Blooming: Some species produce flowers. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... One of the most popular tropical evergreen species ‘Calathea zebra plant’ (Calathea zebrina, commonly called zebra plant) is native to Southeastern Brazil. In the shade of a tree is ideal since that’s similar to the natural habitat of the Calathea. If you place it on a window sill that gets a lot of sunlight, consider using a thin curtain to shield the plant from the glare. Its tall, slender stems hold up the large, oval, upright leaves. In temperate areas, calathea is often cultivated as a houseplant. Attack by pestsSpider mites, scale, mealy bugs, and aphids can affect the health of your plant, especially if the plant is grown in arid conditions. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! Each has its own set of patterns, markings, and color schemes. In order to determine when your rattlesnake plant needs to be watered, feel the soil. Calathea Problems Growing Problems. It’s no wonder the Calathea is a popular plant around offices and in many living rooms. ✦ See to it that the potting mix is moist. In its native range, for example, in some parts of Brazil, the large and tough calathea leaves are used for wrapping fish for transport. Here are the common ones. Wait for it to go dry before you water it again. Direct sunlight hurts the leaves while dim light doesn’t encourage its growth either. They're both new plants to me, I got them at a greenhouse about a week ago. The summer heat makes the soil go dry faster and the Calathea plant is a thirsty plant. You may place it in your bathroom, if it is bright. Even though the process is almost identical, growing Calathea outdoors means you have to pay attention to the weather and things like shade and whether the sun will cover the plant or not. That said, I'd go with a more nuclear option for mealies - either an insecticidal soap or my personal fave, Captain Jack's Dead Bug. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Some species are clump-forming species. It should be well-drained too. But don’t let it go dry for long otherwise the leaves will droop and wilt away. This will help maintain the humidity around the plant’s roots. Insect damage to calathea picturata. During winter, the plant should not be watered every day. Culturally, Maranta is more tolerant of cold than Calathea, which will suffer when … Leaf-eating caterpillarsCaterpillars of the butterfly named ‘Purple Owl’ (Caligo beltrao) feed on C. Zebrina. • Type: Evergreen perennial plant. These soil dwelling pests look like small dark flies similar to fruit flies and their larvae could damage roots. Mist the leaves frequently. Tap the soil gently around the roots to make sure the plant can stand upright on its own. There are over 300 different types of Calathea plants, as various cultivars and hybrids have been developed by researchers worldwide. ✦ Calatheas need indirect and moderate light. However, not all those varieties are available in your local nursery or even online. Fill the hole with soil and pack it gently. You can also easily order it online here. They are attracted to the wet soil. Although it is not easy, you can divide the plant when repotting. Regardless of what you use, your plant will burn if you don't apply the treatment in the evening or early morning (and away from grow lights) so the treatment has time to dry before the plant gets much light. A small amount of lime, when added to the planting medium, makes the fluoride more water-soluble. It would make them less attractive. Gardenerdy describes how to take care of a Calathea plant. Keep the soil moist in the early stages until the roots establish. Regular misting and watering can help prevent calathea plant leaves from turning yellow or brown. In Colombia, Nukak people make containers for the darts, from these leaves. Use a fertilizer once every two weeks to keep those lush leaves growing and looking their best. Regular inspection and spraying is essential to avoid diseases. So, the leaf tips and edges may turn brown. Make sure it gets partial shade and indirect light for optimal health. Should You Avoid Using Lawn Weed and Feed? Mix well. Spider Mites, scale. A window sill will do or even a table in the middle of the room. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. As the temperature of the room increases, humidity should also be increased. Thus, these plants not only enhance the beauty of your home but also are useful in various ways. Calathea Rufibarba is more prone to these pests when it is root bound or being under-watered. In some villages of Thailand, attractive rice containers are produced from these leaves. The most common pest for calathea is the spider mite. • Family: Marantaceae. However, if the plant is near a heat vent and you feel there’s not enough humidity in the room or office, you can mist it with a spray bottle once every couple of days. Limp stemsOver-watering or cold weather can lead to rotten and limp stems. While this plant does need plenty of water, the soil does need to drain properly. Soft Brown Scale is the most common scale that attacks indoor houseplants especially ficus, ivy, spider plants, ferns, aralia, and schefflera. In time, you may notice more pronounced webbing. Common pests that live on indoor plant leaves include aphids, whitefly, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and scale. Choose a medium pot with lots of drainage holes at the bottom. So let’s see how you can grow and care for the Calathea. So far we have talked about the benefits of growing the Calathea as a houseplant or one that adorns your office. The steps are rather simple. Frequently Asked Questions 5.1 Standard Planter Instructions 5.2 Self Watering Container Instructions 6. Lower the plant in the hole and fill it with soil. The leaves are glossy, with an entire and wavy margin. • Bloom Description: Some species like Calathea crocata, Cala… It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Moreover, calatheas can be sensitive to fluoride that is commonly found in tap water. When the weather gets cold, they move them indoors. Water it and mist it regularly. ... Watch for scale, Mealy Bugs and Aphids. Required fields are marked *, Check out these beautiful projects and get a lot more ideas for your DIY project. Spray the plant more often with water making sure it goes dry during the day and not pile up on the leaves and cause a fungal infestation. Water the plant regularly during the growing season. Mist and water them regularly until the roots are established. Your email address will not be published. Placement 2. They also improve the humidity in the place protecting you and your family against dry skin and respiratory diseases. From a very unique shape to lurid and enticing color combinations, this is one plant that deserves its place in every home. Calatheas love to be part of a gang, which helps promote humidity and strength. It loves moisture. Try neem oil to remove them or move straight to the insecticide ; they can be in the soil as well so it’s really difficult to remove these guys. Pick a spot in your house or office that gets plenty of light but isn’t exposed to the direct sun rays. Brown edges along the leavesThe plant cannot tolerate dry air. ✦ Add peat-based potting mix (2 parts peat and 1 part perlite) to the pot. Calathea Roseopicta Dottie is an evergreen perennial, indoor house plant that grows to 6 to 12 inches tall and spread as wide. However, indoors, either as an office plant or in your house, it seems to do much better than if you grow it in the garden. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia) fits the bill and delivers in spades. If you’ve gotten these requirements right and have a mature plant, you can consider calathea plant propagation. ✦ Spring is the best season for repotting the calathea plant. Routine Maintenance 3. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Now we’re talking getting super nasty … These small red arachnids suck sap from … Spider mites are one of the biggest pests you will need to watch out for in regards to your calathea plant. Pests and bugs don’t find the thick leaves particularly juicy so they leave it alone. That’s understandable. This plant grows larger than the other similar-looking plant called ‘prayer plant’ (Maranta leuconeura) or the other similarly named plant, ‘zebra plant’ (Aphelandra squarrosa). If it’s hot and the soil goes dry fast, you can water it twice a week. Calathea Musaica is technically a rainforest plant. Fully mature, the plant reaches about 3 feet in height and 2 feet in width. The other issue you might have is the brown leaf tips disease. In Hawaii and the Florida Panhandle, people often grow it in pots in their garden without any issues. Make a hole in the soil twice as deep as the size of the root ball and a little bit wider. This plant is commonly known as the cathedral, zebra, or peacock plant. Water the soil once a week. So let’s get to the maintenance part and see how you can take care of the Calathea plant and keep it growing successfully. Pro Tips on How to Make the Best Flower Garden. Water the pot thoroughly until the water flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom. Light. ✦ To ensure proper growth of the plant, feed the plant with a good liquid fertilizer every 15 days, from April to October. The oblong leaves of the Calathea are probably the first thing that gets your attention. A failing calathea ornata could be a sign that the soil isn’t draining properly. The Calathea is one of those plants that when you take care of them, they pay you back dividends. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Break the soil with a hoe to loosen it up and add a 3-inch thick layer of organic compost. • Zone: It can be planted outdoors in zones 10 and 11. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! This would help prevent ‘shocking’ the root system. Any commercial potting mix will do, although you can mix soil with peat and worm compost in equal portions to create your own. Avoid warm or cold water, use water at room temperature. As natives of Brazil and the Amazon Rainforest, they’re used to high levels of moisture in the air and warm temperature. Remove the Calathea from the pot it came in and check the roots. So do not keep it in front of a heater, an air conditioning vent, or a leaky window. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The beautiful striped leaves of the Calathea “ornata” grow at the end of long stems and require quite a bit of care to stay looking good. Add a thick layer of mulch to improve soil aeration and water retention. But did you know that you could also plant it in your garden? Calathea is a magnificent plant native to South America. Calathea crocata: This species of calathea has the plainest leaves of the bunch, but boasts beautiful displays of upright orange-red flowers, earning it the nickname "eternal flame." As mentioned, the soil requires adequate amount of moisture. • Spread: 2-3 ft. Make sure to spray it in the morning so that the water will have time to evaporate without causing problems such as fungal infestation. The first signs of spider mites are small strands of fine silky threads on leaves. Make a hole in the soil twice as deep and wide as the height and width of the root ball of the plant and place it into it. As the scale sucks on the sap of the plant it … Many new calathea owners discover that their leaves seem to curl or roll. The clump-forming varieties C. picturata ‘Argentea’ and Calathea roseopicta (rose-painted calathea) have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Calathea species come with bright green, and the plant grow vigorously, may. 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