Oh, Calatheas. These beautiful plants are both a joy and a bit of a riddle, and I’ve discovered this in more than 15 years of gardening. I recall the day my Calathea orbifolia decided to protest. Its gorgeous, wide leaves curled inward and looked like they were going to die. My heart fell. I had done all I believed I …
You probably want more of your Calathea’s beautiful leaves in your life if you adore it. But before we get our tools, we need to know one important thing about these beautiful plants: the only way to successfully grow a Calathea is to divide it. Calatheas are a type of plant called a rhizomatous plant. This means that they grow …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) The Allure of Soilless Calathea The subject that both novice and veteran plant owners are interested in is: can the beautiful and notoriously picky Calathea really flourish in water? You might have seen gorgeous pictures online of a prayer plant’s colorful leaves rising gracefully from a transparent vase and thought, “Could I get that same …
It might be distressing to see your gorgeous Calathea, a plant with stunning, prayer-like leaves, start to wilt and die. You can sense a rush of terror, but the most crucial thing to do first is to take a deep breath. If you take your time, you may often save a Calathea that is having trouble. Before we get into …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) The Plant Lover’s Dilemma You just got a beautiful Calathea with leaves that are painted with complicated designs of green, pink, and cream. You find the ideal place for it, and as you step back to enjoy your new piece of living art, a familiar dread starts to seep in. You glance from the beautiful, …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) Introduction: The Living Art of Calatheas Have you ever thought about why the leaves of your calathea move around all day and fold up at night like hands in prayer? Or maybe you’ve had a hard time keeping these beautiful tropical plants alive and have seen their beautiful, complicated patterns disappear even though you’ve tried …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) There is only one rule for successfully fertilizing Calatheas: less is more. They don’t need a lot of food, and giving them too much fertilizer is much worse than not giving them enough. The Fear of Fertilizing The painted leaves of a Calathea are a work of art, but they are also known for being …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) When it comes to watering Calatheas, quality is more important than quantity. Most issues, including crispy edges and yellowing, are caused by the kind of water used and schedules that aren’t always the same. The Frustration of the Crispy Leaf If you’re reading this, you’re probably standing in front of a Calathea and looking at …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) This guide helps you choose the right Calathea by organizing over 40 types by care difficulty. Hello, plant lover! You’re probably here because you’re fascinated by the magnificent, complex beauty of Calathea plants. It’s no surprise that these plants are popular among houseplant lovers because their leaves seem like a painting. Each leaf is a …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) The Calathea Musaica, or “Network Plant,” is one of the most forgiving and easy-to-care-for plants in the Calathea family, making it perfect for beginners. Its thick, leathery leaves make it more resilient to humidity drops and minor watering mistakes than its cousins. The Unraveling of a Living Mosaic The Calathea musaica is one of the …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) Growing Calatheas successfully means shifting your mindset. Stop thinking like a regular houseplant owner and start thinking like a “rainforest keeper.” The goal is to replicate their native environment. The Calathea Philosophy: More Than Just a Plant People often call Calathea plants “drama queens” since they have certain needs and are quite good at showing …
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) Brown edges on Calatheas are a cry for help, not a sign of failure. The most common causes are low humidity, improper watering (both too much and too little), and chemicals in tap water. To fix this, become a plant detective: Why Brown Edges Happen (and How to Fix Them) Let’s be honest: it’s annoying …