Calathea Care: Humidity, Water and Patterns
Calatheas, also called prayer plants, have patterned leaves that fold upward at night. They are beautiful but fussy about humidity and water quality. Most calathea problems come from dry air, tap water, and soil that is either soggy or bone dry.
Light
Medium to bright, indirect light. Filtered light from a sheer curtain keeps the patterns strong. Direct sun fades the color, and too little light stops the leaves from opening.
Humidity
Well above typical home humidity. A humidifier works best. A pebble tray with water below the pot, or a bright bathroom, also helps. Misting helps only briefly.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist, never soggy. Use room-temperature filtered or rainwater when you can. Tap water high in chlorine or minerals causes brown tips.
Temperature and soil
Keep it above about 65°F, away from vents and cold drafts. Use a light, moisture-holding mix with perlite, in a pot with a drainage hole only a size or two larger.
Why are calathea leaves turning brown?
Brown tips and crispy edges usually mean dry air or mineral buildup from tap water. Switch to filtered or rainwater and raise the humidity before changing anything else. Yellow leaves with soft roots point to overwatering.
Repotting and feeding
Repot every one to two years in spring, when the roots fill the pot, and use fresh mix. Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with a diluted houseplant fertilizer, and stop in fall and winter.
Common problems
Dry air or tap water. Raise humidity and switch to filtered water.
Not enough light.
Overwatering.
Calatheas at Palma
We grow 'Purple Rose', with purple-tinged foliage, 'Orbifolia', with round striped leaves, 'Medallion', 'Dottie' and 'Rattlesnake', with wavy leaves and purple undersides. Brighter-leaved types need a little more light to keep their color.
