How to Care for Calatheas
With their striking, vibrant leaves, calathea plants are a real showstopper in any indoor garden. If you’re thinking of adding one to your home, this guide will give you all the info you need for for how to care for calatheas.
With a bit of care and attention, your calathea will thrive and bring some serious tropical vibes to your indoor space! Calathea thrive in humid conditions, so if you live in a dry climate, regular misting and pebble trays filled with water can help create the environment they need. They also prefer filtered or indirect light – too much sun will cause their leaves to fade.
Why Calatheas make great indoor plants
Calatheas make fantastic indoor plants that thrive in shadier parts of the home. As a tropical plant, they are known for their large, decorative leaves with unique patterns and bright coolers. The Calathea is also very low maintenance, thriving in moist and warm conditions; its lush foliage will help to add a touch of the tropics while naturally cleansing your air and increasing humidity.
These beauties don’t need much nurturing – just take care to spritz the leaves down with water every other day or so. It is also beneficial to rotate your plant occasionally to reach the sunlight shining from different angles. All these features mean this wonderful plant will be happy to live inside your home.
How to care for your Calathea
Taking care of your Calathea is essential if you want to keep its lush foliage in peak condition. It loves medium to low light conditions, such as a room with a north- or east-facing window and humidity that’s around 50-70%.
Be sure to water your Calathea with room temperature water, preferably distilled, and allow the soil to dry out between watering’s. Too much moisture is the number one enemy for this plant! Lastly, keep it away from any cold drafts or radiators, which will cause its leaves to turn yellow and get crispy.
Tips for keeping your Calathea healthy and happy
Looking after a Calathea can seem like a tricky endeavor, but with the right care, this vibrant houseplant can thrive and bring a bit of the jungle into your home. A few easy tips for keeping your Calathea healthy include positioning it in bright, indirect sunlight and providing regular watering. Never allow your plant to dry out completely, and try using distilled or lukewarm water to keep the soil and leaves from becoming too salty or mineralized.
On damp days or every week during sunny days, use a humidifier to provide some extra moisture for your plant. Lastly, dust off any excess dust build-up from its furry leaves from time to time. Following these basic steps on how to care for your Calathea lets you keep your plants looking lush and vibrant.
What to do if your Calathea starts to look sad
If your Calathea is looking down in the dumps, it may be time for a quick check-up. Several factors can cause your beloved foliage to go from lush and beautiful to droopy and saddened. Most likely, the cause of your Calathea’s sadness lies in inadequate moisture levels, light, temperature or humidity. Make sure you don’t overwater your plant as root rot can quickly set in if the soil remains wet for too long.
The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 68°F (20°C) and 75°F (24°C), and it loves lower than average humidity levels. Your leafy pal will benefit from lots of indirect light throughout the day, so find a spot close to an east or south-facing window but not quite right in front of it. After ensuring these elements are balanced, you should be able to revive those sad leaves back into their original lush beauty.
How to propagate your Calathea
Propagating your Calathea is an affordable and fun way to create more of the beloved houseplant for yourself or to give away to friends and family. Fortunately, it’s a straightforward process – all you need are some simple tools and a healthy mother plant. To start, make sure you have sharp scissors or a knife, some potting mix, water, and one of your Calatheas that has shown signs of regrowth – this is the mother plant from which you’ll take cuttings.
When taking the cutting, look for long stems with at least two sets of leaves at the tip and make sure each stem has its own root system. Then, pick a spot in your home with good light conditions where you can easily transplant the cuttings into their new pots – once planted, focus on providing regular breathing room for them by moistening the soil but avoiding overwatering. Your Calatheas should be ready to enjoy within a few weeks with patience and care.
FAQs about Caring for Calatheas indoors
Are you ready to get your green thumb on, but need help to keep Calatheas thriving indoors? That’s okay! Growing Calathea plants is a great way to decorate and add a touch of life to any home. To get you started, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Calatheas.
First off, it’s important to note that Calatheas prefer bright, indirect light combined with plenty of water and humid conditions.
You’ll also want to make sure they’re planted in fast-draining soil and fertilized once or twice a year during the growing season. With proper care, you can expect your Calathea leaves to remain vibrant and healthy throughout their lifetime.
Another plus to note, Calatheas are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. As such, they are a purr-fectly safe option for those pet-friendly homes, too..
Conclusion
These plants really are something special, and they make a great addition to any indoor space. Just remember to give them what they need in terms of care, and they will reward you with their beautiful foliage.