Calatheas are beautiful plants of great ornamental value. Due to the spectacularity, arrangement and shape of their beautiful foliage, they are often compared to the peacock's tail. They are also known as "praying plants" due to the uniqueness that their leaves fold at night and re-unfold harmoniously in daylight.
However, in order to keep their striking appearance intact, these plants need a lot of pampering and care. In this practical guide to Calathea care, you'll find all the information you need to keep them always impressively beautiful and healthy.
Calatheas: description, cultivation and care
Calateas are tropical plants belonging to the Marantas family. Its most distinctive feature lies in its beautiful foliage. The different varieties of this species take on different sizes, shapes and shades, each more spectacular.
The leaves of calatheas are distributed perpendicularly along the stem. Its flowering, with a few exceptions, is usually whitish or yellowish tones and has little ornamental value.
These evergreens are highly prized as houseplants. In our territories, they are not usually used outdoors as their leaves do not resist low temperatures very well.
The first requirement to grow and care for a Calathea is to be patient as it grows very slowly and also needs a lot of care and attention.
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How to Grow Calatheas
- Location
Like all tropical species, Calatheas require constant heat and humidity conditions. If the environment in which it is placed is too dry, it is advisable to use a humidifier to maintain humidity.
- Soil
The soil must drain properly and be rich in humus. The appropriate proportions would be one part peat, one part fibrous earth and one part sand. You can also buy a ready-made mixture.
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- Light
Due to their tropical origin, Calatheas do not tolerate direct light. Ideally, they should be placed in a place with filtered light so that the leaves do not burn.
- Temperature
Maximum and minimum temperatures should be between 16 and 21 degrees. During the winter season, the ideal would be to maintain a minimum temperature of about 13º and maximums of 16º. Below 10 degrees, the plant will succumb.
And something very important: never place it near stoves, fireplaces or any other direct source of heat.
In warm climates, you can increase the humidity by spraying the plant with a miser.
When to plant
CalatheasThe best time to plant Calatheas is in early spring. The process to follow is as follows:
- Choose a pot between 10 and 20 cm in diameter, (depending on the type of plant) with a hole at the bottom to facilitate the evacuation of excess water.
- Add a layer of clay stones to the bottom of the pot to make it easier to drain.
- Prepare the soil mixture and fill half of the pot with it.
- Place the plant in the center of the pot, with the roots well spread.
- Fill with the remaining part of the soil.
- Crush the soil a little with your hands and water. To prevent the plant from rotting, remember to empty the water from the pot dish
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During
growing season, the plant should be watered often. The root ball should be consistently moist.
During the rest periods, watering should be spaced out. Allow the soil to dry out for about 1cm before watering again.
To avoid staining the leaves of the plant, it would be ideal to water with rainwater or non-calcareous water.
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- During
the spring and summer months, add a dose of liquid fertilizer to your irrigation water every 15 days or so.
Clean the leaves regularly to prevent dust from accumulating on them. You can also use a duster and even a damp sponge in case the dust particles have stuck
to it.
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- Once
year, it is advisable to transplant the plant to a larger pot as it quickly consumes the nutrients in the substrate. The ideal time to do this is at the beginning of summer.
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- Pruning
No pruning is necessary. All you have to do is remove the withered leaves.
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- Pests
diseases Calathea is quite resistant to pests and diseases. In any case, you have to watch out for the ubiquitous mealybugs and spider mites. To prevent its appearance and spread, it is necessary to maintain a good level of humidity, and use an anti-dust mite sprayer, sold in specialized establishments.
In environments that are too dry, the leaves of the calathea will end up curling and take on yellowish and brown tones. To restore their greenness, use a humidifier to cool the environment. You can also place your plant on a layer of pebbles or clods of clay, and moisten the leaves with a mist.
To prevent the leaves from wilting and drying out, avoid direct exposure to sunlight and add nitrogen fertilizer to your irrigation water on a regular basis.
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- Multiplication
Calathea is very easy to reproduce. All you have to do is split off a piece and plant the new bush. The period to do so is during spring and summer.
The division of bushes is done as follows:
- With the
- help of a sharp knife, cut the rhizomes, making sure that each of the sectioned parts contains roots and leaves.
- Unknot the roots well until they are well spread out and break up the compost clods.
- Plant each of the portions in pots about 10 cm in diameter. Fill with damp substrate.
- Cover the pots with plastic and place them somewhere away from light, for 7-10 days at least, at a temperature of about 18º.
- Check the humidity level regularly, otherwise the plant will dry out.
- Once the seedlings have rooted, you can remove the plastics and take care of your new plants as we have explained.
With proper care, your calatheas will not only look healthy and glowing, but will enhance every corner of your home for many years to come!