Calathea Couture is best known for the marbling of foliage and luxurious patterns that one can not help but get their hands on if you are into indoor plants—scoring high on aesthetic appeal due to its colorful green, purple, and pink leaves. The Calathea also wields health benefits in the form of improved indoor air quality. Calathea is a beautiful and unique plant that requires your care and attention.
In this unique guide, we’ll discuss growing and caring for your Calathea and provide detailed tips and advice for keeping it healthy forever. Whatever your experience level, you are sure to discover valuable tips and insights on how to keep your Calathea thriving.
Types of Calathea couture
The Calathea couture is made of beautiful plants with so many types to choose from, all of which have unique qualities and patterns. Knowing the types can enable you to decide which is suitable for your house and garden. My personal favorite is Calathea Blue. Here are the common types:
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea Orbifolia is a favorite plant with its beautiful, round leaves and complex silver-green lines. The large leaves give an impressive impact to be the cornerstone of your house plant collection.
Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
It was a long, wavy-edged leaf with a deep green design. The Rattlesnake plant is well-loved for its unique look and ability to tolerate multiple levels of light.
Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant)
The Peacock Plant’s name is earned by its eye-catching, feather-like leaf patterns. Its leaves are tinted in deep green and shimmering silver, mimicking the look of a peacock’s covert feathers, making any space look extra fancy.
Calathea Roseopicta
The Calathea Roseopicta Part elegance, with its colorful pink and green leaves, makes it look like a nice addition to your indoor garden’s fashion! This type is recognizable by its ornamental leaves and fairly low maintenance needs.
Calathea Zebrina
This plant, often called the zebra plant due to its striking striped leaves (dark green lines against a light green background), clearly lives up to its name. Given the striking pattern, it is unique in any collection of plants.
Calathea Fusion White
This type features prominent white and green leaves that mark a very “elegant” appearance. Calathea Fusion White is yet another stunning variety that will light up any corner with its grace.
All are eye-pleasing, but they offer slightly different beauty and vary in care requirements (light level, humidity, etc.). So, you need to select the correct one for your home. Knowing the features of these Calathea varieties, you will make a reasonable choice and enjoy their beauty.
Check out our article on lupines for more insights!
How to Grow Calathea Couture
Selecting the Right Location
To successfully grow Calathea couture, it is necessary to choose the right location in your home. A Calathea plant thrives in bright, indirect light but should not be exposed to direct sunlight, which can burn them and may fade the colors on their leaves. Place the plant close to an east or north-facing window where it will help protect and maintain your branch.
Preparing the Soil
They prefer well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging but also appreciate some moisture. A high-quality commercial potting mix provides ideal growing conditions for houseplants or a combination of peat, perlite, and pine bark. Soil should be sifted and lit to prevent root rot while encouraging roots to grow.
Watering Requirements
Calathea watering requirements are vital for this plant. These plants prefer constantly moist soil but do not overwater. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. To avoid harmful chemicals like chlorine, use lukewarm, filtered water for your plants. Too little water can also cause the leaves of your Calathea to dry out, resulting in leaf curl and a striped appearance.
Humidity and Temperature
Calatheas are tropical by nature and need a fair amount of humidity to thrive. For best growth, try to keep the humidity above 60%. Keeping that air moist can be challenging, so setting a humidifier near it or filling another pebble tray with water should more than suffice.
They can also be used at temperatures between 65-80°F (18 and 27°C). Never subject them to cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, as these can stress the plant and hinder its growth.
Fertilization
Regular feeding of Calathea couture will promote increased growth and vigor. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing months of spring and summer. Mix the fertilizer at half strength to prevent leaf burn due to over-fertilization. Reduce feeding in fall and winter as plant growth slows down.
With these locations, soil preparation, watering, and humidity tips properly met with moderate fertilization, your Calathea couture should be dazzling throughout the year.
Calathea Couture Care Instructions
Regular Watering
Calatheas couture needs proper watering to stay healthy. Keep the soil consistently moist but not wet. Occasionally water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry. The main advantage of the process is that using lukewarm water helps to minimize residual chemicals.
It may sound tricky, but remember one thing: never allow your plant to be in water, as this may cause root rot.
Maintaining Humidity
Being a tropical plant, calatheas do well in high-humidity environments. Target at a minimum of 60% humidity. Should the air in your indoor space dry, think of using a humidifier or setting the pot near a water tray.
Plants grouped can also provide a more humid microenvironment. Misting is also good, but be careful with over-misting because wet leaves could cause fungus problems.
Temperature Control
Calatheas are happiest in inconsistent temperatures that fall between 65 and 80°F (18 to 27°C). Drafts, air conditioning units, and heaters produce eventual temperature change, which is a grower’s worst enemy. So keep your plant as far as possible. By keeping the temperature uniform, stress can be avoided, and plant growth will remain constant.
Leaf Care
Calathea is a rather picky plant, and its leaves are very sensitive. Rub the leaves gently once a week with a soft damp cloth to clean them and prevent dust from accumulating. This makes the plant breathe much better and look healthier. Do not use leaf shine products, as they can block the skin of leaves and cause problems.
Pruning and Cleaning
Your Calathea couture will require pruning to remove any yellow or dead leaves. Pruning not only makes the plant look better but also provides fewer opportunities for unwanted pests to take hold, which can help reduce disease transmission. Check for pests such as spider mites or aphids routinely, and if either appears, treat quickly.
Repotting
Repot every 1-2 years to change out or freshen up the soil and give more room for the roots. Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter. Repot your plant in a fresh potting mix, and be sure the new pot is well-draining to prevent root rot. This keeps the plant healthy and helps to give strong growth.
These care tips will enable you to maintain your Calathea couture, which is healthy and bright in your indoor space.
Propagating Calathea couture
Propagation Methods
Calatheas are easily propagated by means of division, which is the process of splitting an established plant into small parts. This method is simple; each new plant will keep its attributes in good health. Here is how to divide and propagate:
- Choose the Right Time: Calathea couture should be propagated when actively growing, either in spring or early summer. This will increase the probability of sustainability in these new competitive divisions.
- Prepare the Plant: Look closely at the roots and carefully remove the Calathea from its pot. If the plant is root-bound, pull it apart gently to divide.
- Divide the Plant: Divide a plant into carefully selected smaller sections, ensuring that each division has a healthy root system and at least one growing point (stem or leaf). Make clean pruner or knife cuts.
- Pot the Divisions: Find a well-draining potting mix, get a lot of it, and fill individual pots halfway before placing each division into its own corresponding home. Make sure that the pots have drainage holes to avoid wasting water. Plant each digit at the same depth it was previously growing at.
- Prepare the Plant: Water the newly potted divisions deeply to fill the area around their roots. Place the pots in a warm, humid atmosphere with bright but indirect light. Provide even moisture and raised humidity to promote root growth.
Caring for New Plants
The new Calathea couture will need to be looked after carefully and tended properly for the duration it takes them to root. Keep the soil constantly moist, just not waterlogged, and monitor how much humidity your plant is getting as they prefer a high level of it. As the new plants grow, they slowly reintegrate into a watering and lighting maintenance routine.
If you have followed these propagation steps, congratulations. You now have more Calathea, and you can give a few to friends or add some new greenery to your own space.
Companion Plants Idea For Thriving Calathea Couture
Calathea Couture companion plants should be species capable of surviving under similar care conditions as the Calaea in relation to humidity, light, and soil requirements. This stunning selection from the Calathea Couture line loves high humidity and bright but indirect light, making it a great addition to those looking for other high-humidity-loving tropical plants.
The company of companions should lend artistic pleasure and make up for other things lacking in the complete indoor garden. Great companion plants to grow with Calathea couture are:
- Philodendron Brasil: With its vibrant green and yellow leaves, Philodendron pothos is the best houseplant for household cleaning. It loves moist air and light, which are also beneficial to Calathea.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): A plant with curving leaves and air-purifying abilities that complements many Calathea varieties is the Spider Plant. It thrives in a similar indoor climate, making it a great addition to environments shared with Calathea.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Known to be versatile and easy-to-grow plants with cascading vines that will add volume to any landscape arrangement. Calathei usually loves to stay at similar light levels and humidity levels.
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) adds a billowy effect to the planting and is suitable because of its high humidity requirements, which also benefit Calathea.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.): With its sophisticated white blooms and neon green leaves, the Peace Lily is another plant that likes to shimmy alongside high-humidity plants.
By combining Calathea couture with these plants in pairs, you will create a colorful and organic indoor garden that nurtures the beauty of each species.
Calathea Couture Pests and Diseases
Common Pests
1. Spider Mites
Calathea Couture can suffer severe damage from tiny pests called spider mites. These pests can go undetected for a long time, leaving webbing on the bottoms of eaves. Initial damage typically starts with small, spotty dots on the leaves, progressing to discoloration and eventually leading to complete defoliation.
Solution:
- Add moisture around your plant to reduce spider mite-friendly conditions.
- Deal the infestation with insecticidal soap or neem oil, remember to spray both sides of the leaves.
- Ensure to check the plant regularly and clean it meticulously so no reinfestation occurs.
2. Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. This leads to distorted plant growth and sticky residue on leaves. Aphids are even capable of passing on diseases.
Solution: Remove aphids by carefully washing the plant with mild soapy water or insecticidal soap. Inspect for aphids every so often and remove them immediately if found.
3. Mealybugs
Mealybugs look like small white cottony masses on the plant. Choking out and yellowing leaves Are some of the most common signs an oleander has aphids.
Solution: Rub rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs to remove scales. For substantial infestations, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You want to get as much coverage as possible on every surface, and repeat applications if needed.
4. Scale Insects
These are small, hard, and unmovable insects that stick to the stems or leaves, which can lead to leaves yellowing and dropping.
Solution: Either remove the scale insects manually by scrubbing them with a soft brush or cloth, or treat any remaining pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Regular monitoring can help prevent future infestations.
Common Diseases
1. Root Rot
It is usually caused by overwatering, which causes your plant to sit in soggy media and suffocate roots most of the time if humidity levels are quite high. Symptoms can manifest as yellow or deceased leaves, wilting, and a moldy smell.
Solution: To improve drainage, repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Make sure it has enough drain holes in the bottom and does not use too much water. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
2. Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot disease appears as dark, sunken spots on leaves, frequently encircled by yellow halos. ungal or bacterial infections may be the culprit.
Solution: Remove leaves that are prey to disease. Increase air circulation around the plant and use overhead watering to create a humid environment. Apply the relevant fungicide or bactericides.
3. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew results in a white powdery substance on leaves and stems. This fungus loves high humidity and no air flow.
Solution: Provide better air movement and reduce humidity around the plant. Prune the infected leaves rasping and apply a fungicide for powdery mildew.
4. Bacterial Blight
Sprays often appear in the valleys of heavy rings and occur on leaves as dark-colored, water-soaked lesions. This stress can lead to leaf drop and a general decline of your plant.
Solution: Remove and destroy infected plant parts. Reduce overhead watering and keep the plant well loosened. If possible, the ba herbicide can be sprayed, while good sanitation should always occur in efforts to contain its spread.
As long as you deal with these common pests and diseases early on while also ensuring that your plant is cared for properly, you can maintain the health of your Calathea Couture. It’s crucial to regularly monitor and take preventive action to effectively prevent issues or address them when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How frequently should I water my Calatha?
Calathea plants like their soil to be consistently moist. Generally, water your Calathea when the top inch of soil is no longer wet. The best is to use warm, filtered water that does not contain chemicals that can damage your plant. Also, be careful not to overwater, as this causes root rot.
2. Why are the leaves on my Calathea plant curling?
Inconsistent watering, low humidity, or direct sunlight cause leaves to curl. Keep soil moist and raise humidity around the plant. Keep in bright indirect sun (no direct sunlight).
3. How can I increase humidity for my Calathea plant?
You can use a humidifier to increase the humidity of your small bonsai tree or set up a nearby tray with water in it. Alternatively, misting them regularly is helpful as well. Similarly, clustering plants can also result in a naturally humid microclimate.
4. What should I do if my Calathea plant has yellow leaves?
Overwatering, poor drainage, and nutrient deficiencies can all cause cannabis leaves to turn yellow. Assess the soil moisture level to ensure good nutrition. If so, repot the plant in fresh soil and feed it with a balanced fertilizer during its growing season.