Calatheas are tropical plants with fabulous foliage. They have striking leaves, offering fantastic colours with delicate markings. Great for the home and the office.
Planting Calendar
Calathea can be grown all year round, but are best repotted from September to March.
Prepare
Position
Calatheas are tropical plants so they enjoy a well lit and warm position but must be kept out of direct sun. If your home is dry, mist daily to increase the humidity. Calathea do not like cold draughts so bear this in mind when choosing the position.
Soil
Calathea are best planted into a free-draining potting mix, such as Kings House Plant Mix especially designed for healthy indoor plants.
Plant
When repotting, make sure that your new pot is slightly larger than the pot it was already in, and that there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot - otherwise your plant can develop root rot. Alternatively, plant into a self-watering insert and sit in a cover pot. We recommend plating into Kings House Plant Mix.
Care
Watering
Calatheas need well-draining soil that never gets dry or soggy, consistency with moisture is key with Calathea.
Feeding
Adding Kings House Plant Liquid Food to the water every 2 to 3 weeks between early spring and autumn will keep your plant healthy. Calatheas do not require fertilising in winter.
Protecting
Protect from attack by Thrips and mites by misting your plant daily. These pests like a dry environment, misting creates a moist one, making it less desirable for these pests. Spray with Mavrik Gun weekly for prevention.
Spraying
Mealy Bug and Mites can be an issue with Calathea. Spray at first sign of insects with Groventive Garden
Pruning
Prune away any dead or dying leaves with a pair of sharp scissors.
General Care
Repot your plant in spring planting into Kings House Plant Mix.
Beginner Tip
Calathea like a humid environment so mist daily, or keep your plant in a humid room such as the bathroom or kitchen.
Expert Tip
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects. Take plant outdoors in the shade to apply spray.
Tip
Calatheas are often called 'Prayer Plants' as some varieties close to their leaves at night and open them again in the morning. So don't worry if your calatheas' leaves are drooping. It is not a sign that your plant is stressed or thirsty ( unless their leaves remain slumped over for an extended period).
Top Varieties
Calathea Zebrina
Zebrina has narrow dark green leaves with a lighter green stripe, like Zebra stripes. Its contrasting foliage makes Zebrina a must have.
Calathea Rosey
Rosey is bright and striking, with its large round-oval leaves, with a bright pink flush edged in a band of dark green.
Calathea Orbifolia
Orbifolia has large almost oversized leaves that have stripy silver bands. A striking addition to you house plants collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
The leaves are looking lighter with tiny white spots, and webbing under the leaves. What is this?
It sounds like you have spider mites - which are common on tropical indoor plants, especially in warm dry environments. Cut off the oldest, most infected leaves and spray with Mavrik. You will need to reapply this spray to maintain control of this pest. Misting under the leaves daily can also help by creating an undesirable habitat for the Mites.
Why are the edges of my Calathea leaves going brown.
There are 2 reasons why this can happen, the environment may be too dry. Misting the leaves daily will help. Secondly irregular watering can also cause this. Never allow the plant to fully dry out, only allow the top 1/4 of the soil to dry out, then water again. Consistency is key with Calathea. They grow well in Elho self watering pots as they keep the soil evenly moist.
