Evergreen, boldly patterned foliage that reaches 36 to 40 inches indoors: calathea is grown above all for the ornamental impact of its leaves. Native to South America, it asks for one thing above all — light shade well away from direct sun and radiators, with air kept moist — and it will stay lush.
| Name | Calathea crocata, Calathea Mokoyana |
|---|---|
| Family | Marantaceae |
| Type | indoor plant |
| Height | 36 to 40 inches (0.8 to 1 meter) indoors |
| Exposure | light shade |
| Soil | soil mix |
| Foliage | evergreen |
Care, repotting, watering and exposure are some of the many small things to do that will make your calathea even more lush.
It makes our houses and apartments look lively with its elevated ornamental impact and unique foliage.
Upon purchasing, if the pot is too small, proceed to repot the plant so that it may grow adequately.
After that, every 2 or 3 years and preferably in spring, repot your calathea in a pot of a slightly larger size.
Remove wilted leaves regularly.
That will stimulate the sending of new shoots and will rejuvenate your plant.
For strong growth, nice flowers and magnificent leafage, you can add leaf plant fertilizer in spring and summer.
What a calathea asks for changes with the seasons: generous watering and feeding while it is growing, much less once growth slows. This table sums up the routine season by season.
| Period | Watering | Feeding | Other care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early spring to late summer | Keep the soil mix moist and check that water drains properly | Leaf plant liquid fertiliser every 8 to 15 days | Spray the leaves with calcium-free water |
| Early autumn to late winter | Reduce watering and wait for the soil to be dry before watering again | Stop adding liquid fertiliser | Keep the plant away from radiators |
| All year round | Regular but moderate, roughly every 2 or 3 days | — | Mist the leaves to recreate its natural moisture levels |
| Early spring, every 2 or 3 years | Drainage layer of gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom | Fresh soil mix supplies the nutrients | Repot into a pot of a slightly larger size |
Match the routine to the season and the foliage stays lush all year.
The best place to set up your calathea is near a window but not direct sunlight. Light shade is preferable, actually.
It is a plant that hence would feel right at home in rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms, which are very moist and usually only have little light.
Regular but moderate watering is called for.
In spring and summer
Keep the soil mix moist and check that water drains properly.
Add leaf plant liquid fertilizer every 8 to 15 days during the growing phase.
In fall and winter
Reduce watering and wait for the soil to be dry before watering again.
Stop adding liquid fertilizer.
Most diseases targeting the plant are common indoor plant diseases, red spider mites and scale insects.
A fabulous indoor plant, calathea risks not surviving too much exposure to the sun.
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