Is Calathea a good indoor plant?
About the Calathea Calathea (Marantaceae) are known for their very diverse, colorful, and beautifully patterned leaves. Combined with their ability to grow in lower light conditions, these make very popular house and office plants (bonus as they are pet and child friendly). As we have discussed, Calatheas enjoy medium light levels so, it is best to find a spot in your home that offers plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight as the rays will burn the beautiful leaves, and also, keep away from draughts.Calathea plants are popular as indoor plants because they are relatively easy to care for. They can be planted in a variety of planters and locations. This means they can be placed in a variety of locations.A Calathea needs a few hours of bright, indirect sun indoors. It doesn’t like direct sunlight, as it’s used to living in dappled (or filtered) light beneath the jungle canopy. Plus, direct light can also burn the delicate leaves of Calathea plants, turning them brown and crisp.Calatheas grow best in a bright spot, out of direct sunlight. In summer, a position near a north- or east-facing window is ideal. In winter, when light levels are lower, a south-facing windowsill is better. If there is insufficient natural light, you could use artificial grow lights.Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Is Calathea medallion an indoor plant?
The Calathea medallion, also known as Calathea veitchiana, is a striking tropical houseplant with beautifully patterned foliage. Calatheas. This one is probably unsurprising to anyone who has ever tried to grow a Calathea in their home before. These plants can be incredibly hard to keep alive. Similar to ferns, they need a lot of humidity, regular watering, and the *perfect* amount of indirect sunlight lest they throw a fit and up-and-die on you .This plant has large, light-to-dark green medallion-like leaves with deep burgundy undersides. In the evenings, the calathea medallion leaves fold up slightly, similar to the prayer plant. The large oval leaves of the calathea medallion sprout from a single stem that grows about two to three feet in height.The Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie’ is deep purple, while the Calathea roseopicta ‘Medallion’ have ornately patterned green tops. All Calathea roseopicta have a feathered border on the circumference of the leaf.Light: Grow Calathea in medium to low light. Shield from direct light to prevent sunburn. Moderate, dappled light is also fine. Water: Keep soil moist at all times – especially during the growing season – but ensure that it is not ‘wet’ or sitting in water (empty out the drip tray).Placing your calathea in a spot with filtered light or dappled shade is key but other than that, the plant is not difficult to grow. In the right conditions, calatheas grow rather quickly and reach their mature size within a year.
What is a common problem with Calathea?
Calathea are thirsty plants, and the most common issues relate to overwatering. Root rot, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spots commonly occur when Calathea plants are overwatered. Plants suffering from root rot will have yellow and dying leaves, and the base of the stems will become mushy. Calatheas hate overwatering and are susceptible to root rot. To avoid this, put your finger in the soil to identify if the top couple inches of soil have dried out. When watering your plant, avoid using tap water as it may contain chemicals such as chlorine that can affect your houseplant.How often should you water a calathea? Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.If the soil is dry, give it a good drink and see if the leaves uncurl in a few hours. Leaf droop is also an indication of underwatering. Your Calathea also prefers consistent temperatures and will likely throw a paddy if there are huge temperature fluctuations.Planting your Calathea in a pot with a drainage hole is also very important, so water can drain through rather than water-logging the roots. You can also place it in a tray filled with plant pot gravel. This pebble tray acts as a good drainage system and also recreates some of the humidity that Calathea craves.
Is Calathea roseopicta hard to care for?
Native to South America, calathea roseopicta makes an excellent houseplant in cold climates. This plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and requires low to moderate indirect light, temperatures between between 70°F and 80°F, and moist, well-drained soil. Calathea are thirsty plants, and the most common issues relate to overwatering. Root rot, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spots commonly occur when Calathea plants are overwatered. Plants suffering from root rot will have yellow and dying leaves, and the base of the stems will become mushy.As a houseplant, Calathea roseopicta will reward your care and attention by improving the quality of the air you’re breathing (trapping dust and scrubbing toxins while pumping out freshly photosynthesised oxygen). As well as this, Calathea care can induce feelings of calmness and alertness.Calathea is an enjoyable plant that features wild dark and bright colors and vibrant patterns for foliage. It purifies the surrounding air by filtering out many things like carbon monoxide and benzine, a popular toxin found in plastics.Overwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow. Calathea are susceptible to root rot, which can happen if the plant is allowed to sit in moist conditions for too long.Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.