How to: Calathea Plant Care

[@debfisher5363]

Thank you! Your video is very informative! I have 2 types of calathea plants that need lots of TLC and after watching your video, I have hope that they will survive! I had one in the past that grew by its own mystical, magical self... and then I moved it from its spot.... big mistake! I have not had any luck since then keeping new plants alive, so I gave up. After more than 10 years I bought the 2 that I have now (and being I have no green thumb and can kill plastic plants) they both took a turn for the worst. After your video today, I learned I was trimming the brown damaged areas back too much and causing new damage instead. After watching how to care for them I can't wait to them flourish into big, beautiful plants like I had before! Thank you for your lovely video on how to love and care for calatheas!

[@herrenfam]

Very informative. Thanks for showing the less beautiful side of your plants so that new calathea plant owners like myself can learn!

[@AddyBeez]

You are so, so welcome, Michelle! I am very glad it was helpful. :)

[@cathyspooner7093]

A very good video like all your others

[@jaybowling942]

Where do you cut a lead that is entirely dead? If I cut at the base, i'd be taking two leaves. Do cut where the leaf emerges from the stem of the leaf it emerged from? Or do I cut high and leave some of the green bit?

[@cathyspooner7093]

I have 3 calathea i just divided my meadallion hope i didnt kill it some leaves droopy it got twice size so now have two fairly big ones

[@rabiarasul4716]

Hi. Please can someone help me. My calathea has curly brown edges on the leaves. Is this a spider mite infestation or is it root rot or not enough watering. How do I find out why my plant is unwell? I'm really new to plants and really struggling with them all and would be grateful for any advice. Thank you

[@lesjf8832]

Brown leaf tips on calatheas can also be caused by a lack of humidity. I eliminated pests and the risk of pests, as well as root rot entirely by ditching the usual potting soil and using an aroid "soilless" potting mix which drains extremely well, and decomposes slowly. There is no need to aerate the soil as the aroid mix does this naturally. The brand I bought is Molly's. It contains "over 20 organic and mineral ingredients, including coir fiber, calcitic and dolomitic limestone, coarse horticultural perlite, expanded clay, worm castings, orchid bark, coir chips, Bacillus pumilus, horticultural charcoal, Rhizophagus irregularis, and naturally-occurring micronutrients are mixed together to achieve proper pH balance." In the two years I've used it, my plants have never been healthier and I haven't had one gnat or other pest.

[@michellec.4994]

When is the growing season for calethea?

[@msgreybird]

I didn’t reas properly and removed all the leaves of my Calathea sanderiana ‘Ornata’ because they were all dry. I read they may die like this from shock. Is there a way to motivate it to grow a new leaf and not die? I am a very new plant mom :(

[@AddyBeez]

Keeping watering the plant as needed and make sure it is getting enough light. I have had a number of my calatheas die off down to the soil a few times now and if I keep watering and giving the right light, they almost always grow back from the rhizome.

[@confrontgaming6305]

so I've just removed my calathea from its soil and put it into just water will this kill it. its been in there for a few days and nothing negative has happened yet, should i worry?

[@AddyBeez]

I've never put a calathea in water before but I have seen some people try it. From what I've read and seen with others, they can survive in water and in some cases be propagated in water though that is kind of complicated and dependent on type, but that they don't do well in water long term. Keeping them in water for a little bit probably won't hurt them but, eventually, you may see a decline in the plant. That's about all I know when it comes to keeping them in water. I am going to likely propagate one of mine in water this Spring and I'll share a video about it goes (hopefully a video, just working a lot these days).

[@confrontgaming6305]

@@AddyBeez hi, thank you for the response. i didn't see a huge decline but since it was close to spring anyway i just re-potted it back in soil with some shingle as drainage.

[@lucielulu4560]

Thank you for the video ! ;) My calathea is in very bad shape from spider mites, now they are gone, new leaves are coming ! But their tips are already starting to dry out and wilt, I don't understand ! :/

[@AddyBeez]

Glad the spider mites are gone! I hate spider mites. :( How is the humidity level?

[@thanostsarbos1197]

Since you mention that the soil is damp, why are you watering the plant ?

[@Botskiii]

hi may i know what is a liquid synthetic fertilizer?? sorry I am a beginner in this thank you.

[@AddyBeez]

Yes--something like a miracle gro that you add to water and then pour into a pot is what I'm referring to here. However, you can buy liquid fertilizers already in liquid form. I am still top dressing my calatheas with worm castings and so far so good!

[@heartjt]

How late into the season can you fertilize? Is August ok to still do so?

[@ivi3261]

How do you the droopy old leaves? I have like two on mine but I'm scared to cut them wrong ! 😭

[@catherinedesilets8960]

What type or fertilizer do you use in the spring /summer ?

[@missmarketing100]

What’s the purple little pot on the plant soil? And which soil mix do you recommend for them?

[@christinamurphy3441]

Thank you for showing this video it helped me with mine.

[@AddyBeez]

Thanks, Christina. I'm glad it was helpful! :)

[@julieturnbull5241]

Just a quick question I have 2 calatheas it's the lancifolia that's giving me a headache it gas tiny brown spots on most of the leaves(?). I water with distilled water and mist they have good humidity, both are treated the same it's just the lancifolia that's not happy. Any tips?

[@AddyBeez]

Some calatheas are less fussy than others. Is there a chance it was over fertilized before you got it? And-- how is its humidity? I don't have a lancifolia but I'm wondering if they're more sensitive to low humidity. I did a video on calathea leaf problems that might be more helpful here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nomWlKyvYt-IopI. Best of luck! :)

[@julieturnbull5241]

@@AddyBeez all I know is that it was soaking wet when I got it and the makoyana, I had to wait a long time for them both to dry out. I have since reported them and haven't seen any more tiny brown dots. They are in good humidity. I did see that video but the leaves aren't curling just tiny brown spots on most of them. I've kind of learnt now to accept them as despite these the plant looks healthy, has been repotted is in good soil and I will look after it best I can. Thank you for replying.

[@jacquelineoskar3053]

Thanks for posting this Addy. Question, how many time in a week/month do we need to dehumidify calathea? Thanks.

[@AddyBeez]

I have a humidity meter that lets me know when it is time to run the humidifier. I accidentally overdid it recently in my plant room, not using my meter, and realize that I really rely on that meter. 😊

[@dontatme289]

Thank you! Such an informative video. Why should you sterilise the tools you use? Just wondering as I'm new to this

[@icemancometh8679]

I think it's because you don't want to spread diseases or viruses from one plant to the next. Clean, sterilize, and dry well..

[@dontatme289]

Iceman cometh thanks for answering! That’s helpful to know 🙌🏽

[@icemancometh8679]

@@dontatme289 :-)

[@ashleyirenethorneify]

I think I gave my ornata fertilizer burn. 😲 How often do you fertilize?

[@AddyBeez]

Since this video, I switched over to using worm castings as a topdressing instead of a synthetic fertilizer, so right now-- I am top dressing every two weeks or so, as needed. When I was using a liquid synthetic fertilizer, like I do in this video, I used from about 1/8 to 1/4 strength of the recommended dose once per month. I hope this helps! :)

[@ashleyirenethorneify]

@@AddyBeez thank you!! I will try that and let you know 😀😀

[@adejulistyo5542]

What cause yellow leaves? One of my silver plate calathea leaves turn yellow then it goes darken around the leaves.i water it every day but keep the soil moist (measure it with moist meter), my humidity is about 50-60%. I water it with filtered water and put it in my room, its kind a low intensity of light. Its about 80 fc (foot candle) when i measure it. Can you help me,i don't know what cause the problem. Sorry for my bad English.

[@AddyBeez]

Hi, Ade. For me, when I have yellow leaves it is because I've accidentally over watered. I just did this with my Freddie and lost two leaves as they turned yellow. You might try to letting the top 1-2 inches of soil dry before watering and see if this helps correct it. I hope this his helpful. :)

[@adejulistyo5542]

@@AddyBeez this is a little confusing, because i put it in a well drained soil. And my meter showed it in a moist condition not wet. but thanks for reply anyway,i really appreciate it. 🙏

[@AddyBeez]

@@adejulistyo5542 Sometimes it can be really hard to pinpoint why our plants change. For me, yellow is usually a sign of over watering but that doesn't make it true for everyone. Are the leaves crispy/turning brown at all?

[@adejulistyo5542]

@@AddyBeez only one leaves but most of that leaves turn yellow and get browned around the edge. it's rather difficult to explain it to you because of my english limitations. if only I could show it to you. but thank you for taking the time to reply to my message 😊

[@icemancometh8679]

@@adejulistyo5542 I saw another video where they said if the leaves turn yellow it's because the plant can't photosynthesize. Meaning it wants more light. I have a calathea and it gets real bright light but not direct sunlight - sometimes people try a sheer curtain if there's too much sun coming through the window. Everyone screams humidifier and you know the plants are going to love it.

[@mariandoucet9176]

Hi! Which kind of pots would you recomend for a calathea?

[@AddyBeez]

I like glazed ceramic best, so far. They tend to keep the soil moist a bit longer than terracotta. Terracotta is also a great choice, as it keeps the roots from becoming too moist. However, my calatheas in terracotta need to be watered far more often than my calatheas in glazed ceramic, though I know some people would still prefer the terracotta. I hope is helpful!

[@ionasilva7560]

Love the video. What is the fertilizer you use for the plants?

[@AddyBeez]

Thank you, Iona! I am so sorry-- I can't remember the name of this plant food. I bought it off of a seller on Etsy and can't track down exactly which one it was. This is party because I have stopped used synthetic fertilizer on my plants to prevent fertilizer burn so I don't have the packing anymore. Right now, I'm top dressing each plant add 1/4 inch of worm castings on top of the soil and then watering through.

[@dewality8768]

Use Epsom salt. A quarter teaspoon every litre. It really is the best and most natural.

[@lindapearson3340]

This video was very helpful to me because I just got a Rattlesnake plant. Thank you for the information on Calathea.

[@AddyBeez]

I'm glad it was helpful, Linda!

[@Wellesly]

can i use fish tank water instead of distilled water?

[@spirituallylovingme-11]

That's a good tip

[@AddyBeez]

Thank you! :)

[@kymberleybeal1886]

This is super helpful, thanks!

[@AddyBeez]

Thanks, Kymberley! I appreciate the feedback.