How to care for a Calathea?
Calatheors are prized as green indoor plants for their colorful leaves and easy care. They come from the rainforests of Central and South America and have adapted to thrive in our indoor climate. The leaves are undoubtedly the most striking feature of these plants. Whether it is the large round calathea such as Calathea orbifolia , the long narrow and wave-patterned Calathea lancifolia , or the mosaic-patterned Calathea network . For those who like plants with dark leaves, there are examples such as Calathea roseopicta and Calathea medallion , both of which have leaves in deep shades of green with contrasting details in pink and purple.
Calathea lancifolia comes from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and has oblong narrow leaves.
To succeed with your calathea care, it is important to recreate its natural environment as best as possible. Keep the soil slightly moist pretty much all the time, to succeed in this without drowning the roots you need a well-drained soil. A peat-free soil mixture with, for example, coconut soil and perlite or other airy orchid soil. Regular showering of the leaves is also a good way to raise the humidity, which helps the plant avoid problems such as brown leaves. They prefer a location with indirect light, as strong sunlight can damage the leaves. A place inside a sunny room is perfect for this tropical plant.
Calathea ornata mieli is from Colombia & Venezuela and has leaves with long colorful stripes
Propagating a calathea is most easily done by dividing the plant's tubers during transplanting. Cuttings rarely work on these plants. When dividing the root clumps, make sure each section has enough roots to grow further. Then replant in pots and keep the soil moist until the plants are established.
Another aspect of calathea care is keeping an eye on pests. Problems such as spin on the plants can sometimes appear, especially if the humidity is too low. Hence the advice to spray the leaves with water regularly. Here, biological control can also be an effective way of dealing with the problem. Beneficial animals such as spider mites are an incredibly simple way to keep the plants free from spiders, which are among the most common pests on Kalatea. However, Calatheors are generally quite hardy if given the right conditions and can become a colorful part of your collection of green houseplants.
Calathea fuion white is a bred variety that has white variegated leaves with a pink underside
There are many different calathea varieties to choose from. Calathea makoyana , also called peacock leaf, has bright leaves and dark patterns. For those who want something unique, Calathea white fusion is an excellent option with its creamy white variegated and green leaves with a purple underside.
Calatheors are not only popular for their colorful leaves, but also because they are fairly easy-care plants and also pet-friendly, making them a safe choice for homes with pets such as cats and dogs. With the right care, you can enjoy a tropical atmosphere at home, regardless of whether you place your tropical houseplant on one growing shelf or in a sunny sheltered corner.
Should you want to buy a new plant, it is also easy to find plants online, along with good soil and other accessories. See our Calathea varieties below and have the plants delivered to your home!
