Should you’ve ever introduced residence a Calathea Medallion plant pondering, “Wow, that is the prettiest plant I’ve ever seen,” after which watched it slowly begin to droop, curl, or crisp up… you are not alone.
I’ll be trustworthy with you:
I was horrible at maintaining vegetation alive, not to mention the Calatheas. Like, crispy-leaf, “why-do-you-hate-me?” ranges of unhealthy. After some time, I lastly discovered preserve most vegetation, together with my Calathea Medallion, not simply alive, however thriving.
This stunning plant with its daring, spherical leaves and beautiful purple undersides is well worth the effort. It may appear a bit dramatic at occasions (Calatheas do love to indicate off their moods), however when you perceive what it wants, it’s truthfully not that tough to maintain glad.
Listed below are my high 7 simple tricks to care in your Calathea Medallion, straight from somebody who’s been within the trenches.
The best way to Look after Your Calathea medallion (7 Simple Suggestions)
1. Watering Your Plant
I discovered this the arduous approach:
Calathea Medallion does not like faucet water. The fluoride, chlorine, and minerals can mess with its roots and trigger these dreaded brown, crispy leaf edges. In case your plant seems to be prefer it’s been via a drought despite the fact that you’ve watered it, the wrongdoer is perhaps your water.
What works finest?
Filtered, distilled, or rainwater. I truly go away a jug of faucet water out in a single day to let a few of the chemical compounds evaporate, and my plant’s been approach happier since.
Additionally, preserve the soil evenly moist however by no means soggy. Let the highest inch dry out earlier than watering once more. Overwatering can result in root rot, which is just about a dying sentence.
Right here’s an in depth information on watering potted vegetation.
2. Present Excessive Relative Humidity
Calatheas are native to tropical rainforests, so dry air makes them tremendous cranky. If your private home has dry air (particularly in winter), you’ll wish to bump up the humidity.
I exploit a small humidifier close to mine, however you can even mist the leaves often or place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water. Simply be certain the pot isn’t sitting straight in water; no person likes soggy ft.
Should you’re , right here’s an inventory of one of the best plant humidifiers. Make sure you test it out.
Professional tip: Grouping your vegetation collectively helps create a microclimate with extra moisture. Plus, it simply seems to be so cozy and jungle-like.
3. Temperature
Calathea Medallion loves a constant, cozy temperature, ideally between 65°F and 80°F. Keep away from chilly drafts, open home windows in winter, or place it subsequent to a heater.
I do know somebody who left theirs too near a window, and in a single day, the temperatures dropped.
The subsequent morning?
Limp leaves and a really dramatic plant sulking in its pot. Lesson discovered.
4. Vibrant Oblique Mild
This plant is a little bit of a diva in terms of lighting. It doesn’t need full solar (it’ll scorch these attractive leaves), however it does want vibrant, oblique mild to thrive.
Preserve it close to a north-facing window, and it’ll be glad there. In case your solely possibility is a brighter spot, simply diffuse the sunshine with a sheer curtain. And don’t panic in the event you see the leaves transferring, they perform a little every day dance! Calatheas naturally increase and decrease their leaves in response to mild.
It’s type of magical.
5. Don’t stress over fertilizer
You don’t must overthink feeding your Calathea. The truth is, much less is extra. Use a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer as soon as a month throughout spring and summer time.
In fall and winter? Go away it alone.
An excessive amount of fertilizer could cause leaf burn, and truthfully, these vegetation aren’t quick growers anyway. They only wish to chill of their pot and look fairly.
6. Repot each couple of years
Calatheas prefer to really feel a bit of comfortable of their pots, so there’s no rush to repot yearly. However in the event you discover roots popping out of the drainage holes or the plant dries out tremendous quick, it is perhaps time.
Select a pot that’s only one dimension up and has good drainage.
I normally use a mixture of potting soil with a little bit of orchid bark or perlite to maintain issues ethereal. And at all times repot within the spring in the event you can. Vegetation are extra resilient once they’re actively rising.
7. Look ahead to pests
Spider mites love Calatheas, particularly in dry circumstances. I test the undersides of the leaves as soon as per week simply to be protected. If I spot something, I gently wipe the leaves with a moist material and spray with neem oil.
One trick I’ve discovered useful: give your Calathea a “bathe” from time to time. A mild rinse underneath lukewarm water retains the leaves clear and helps wash off any tiny intruders.
Conclusion
In case your Calathea Medallion seems to be unhappy typically, don’t beat your self up. These vegetation will throw a match if circumstances aren’t good, however when you tune into what they like, it turns into second nature.
The excellent news is, when you dial within the fundamentals (mild, humidity, water high quality), it will get a complete lot simpler. And whenever you see these attractive leaves unfurl, it’s so value it.
I’d love to listen to from you.