Honestly, Calathea is quite an actress. Many people are very frightened about the Calatheans. The family Marantaceae includes more than 600 species, including Calatheas gangs. Calatheas are indigenous to Brazil and use their leaves for food shipping and basket making for textile production. Nobody knows about the Calatheas different varieties, some suggest 40 different types. All the foliage on the Calatheas have unrivalled beauty and are unbeatable. The Calathea Warscewiczkie demonstrates amazingly well, her height can exceed 1 meter and her foliage looks beautiful. There is no wonder why these amazing houseplants are so sought after. Calatheas have built-up numerous nicknames such as peacock plant and rattlesnake plant but, commonly referred as a ‘prayer plant’. This is because they are closely related to the maranta plant however, calatheas close their leaves at night unlike the maranta plant. Calatheas are native from tropical rainforests which helps us understand what conditions we need to replicate for these houseplants to thrive and show off their beauty in full colours. They grow from the forest floors which indicate they receive medium to low-light levels as bigger and taller plants offer shade. Although they may cope in medium light conditions, Calatheas thrive from humidity! This is an extremely important component to Calatheas that I will go into further detail further in this guide. Something cool that Calatheas do is turn their leaves towards sunlight throughout the day which scientifically is referred to as phototropism.
Calathea plants are gorgeous tropical houseplants known for their colorful, patterned leaves. However, they are also quite fussy when it comes to their care requirements, especially watering. Understanding how often to water a calathea is critical for keeping it healthy and thriving indoors. This article will provide a complete guide on watering calathea plants properly.
Factors That Affect Calathea Watering Frequency
There is no universal watering schedule that will work for every calathea plant. How often you need to water depends on several key factors:
Climate and Season
Calatheas prefer warm and humid environments. In hotter months or climates they will require more frequent watering as the soil dries out faster. In cooler weather or winter scale back to water less often.
Light Exposure
Calatheas that receive more direct light will need more water to replace moisture lost through the leaves via transpiration Plants in shadier spots require less frequent watering
Size of Plant and Container
Larger, more established calathea plants with big root systems will need less frequent watering than smaller juvenile plants. Small pots also dry out faster than bigger ones.
Soil Composition
A dense soil mix that retains moisture well means less frequent watering is needed A loose, fast-draining blend requires more watering sessions
Humidity Levels
In dry indoor air, calatheas lose moisture faster and need more water. Higher humidity allows the soil to stay hydrated longer between waterings.
How to Determine When Your Calathea Needs Water
Rather than sticking to a rigid schedule, check the soil moisture to determine when your calathea needs water. Here are some techniques:
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Touch Test: Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil. If the top layer feels dry, it’s time to water.
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Chopstick Test: Insert a chopstick or skewer to the bottom of the pot. If it comes out dry, the plant needs water.
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Lift Method: Carefully lift up the pot to feel how heavy it is. A very light container means the soil is too dry.
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Leaves: Drooping, curling, or yellow leaves can indicate underwatering. However, check soil first as overwatering causes similar symptoms.
The soil should never be bone dry, but also shouldn’t stay soggy between waterings. Find the sweet spot based on your specific conditions.
How Much and How to Water Calathea Plants
When you determine it’s time to water your calathea, give it a thorough soaking until water drains from the bottom drainage holes. This ensures the entire root zone is hydrated. Key steps:
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Water early in the day to allow leaves to dry fully before night.
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Use room temperature filtered or distilled water. Tap water may contain chemicals that damage sensitive calathea leaves.
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Pour water slowly to avoid runoff or pooling. Target the soil, not leaves.
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Add enough water so it drains from the pot. Never let the plant sit in a saucer of water.
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Consider bottom-watering by placing the pot in a bowl of water to absorb from below. lift it out once water reaches the surface.
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During winter, water a bit less to avoid saturating the soil for too long.
Warning Signs of Underwatering in Calatheas
If you aren’t watering your calathea frequently enough, you may notice these issues:
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Dry, crumbly soil that pulls away from sides of the pot
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Leaves drooping, curling under, or becoming crisp or brown at edges
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Brown tips or yellowing/browning leaves
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Lackluster, dull foliage rather than vivid colors
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Slower new growth
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Plant appearing limp or shriveled
Signs of Overwatering in Calathea Plants
On the other hand, if you are giving your calathea too much water, watch for these problems:
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Soil stays soggy days after watering without drying
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Mushy, translucent leaves
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Blackened, rotten roots
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Yellow lower leaves
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Mold or fungus on the soil surface or plant
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Foul odor from the pot
Catch overwatering early by feeling how moist the soil is and allowing the top few inches to dry out before adding more water.
Ideal Potting Mix and Drainage for Calathea
Use a quick-draining, moisture-retentive potting mix to help maintain ideal hydration. Aim for these properties:
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Spongy, porous materials like peat moss to hold some water
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Lightweight amendments like perlite or orchid bark to enhance drainage
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Optionally, activated charcoal to prevent overwatering
Make sure the pot has drainage holes. Add extra if needed. Using a pot that is too large can lead to wet soil. Choose a size in proportion to the plant or consider terracotta pots that allow evaporation.
Additional Tips for Healthy Calathea Watering
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Increase humidity to complement your watering routine. Calatheas thrive in 40-60% humidity.
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Water less often in winter when growth slows.
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Add pebbles under the pot to hold excess water away from roots.
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Leach salts buildup by watering thoroughly until water flows from the drainage holes.
Be sure to adjust your watering practices based on your plant’s specific needs and conditions. Pay close attention and you’ll find the perfect balance for luscious calathea growth.
Caring for a Calathea
Caring for your Calathea is extremely easy once you understand its needs and signs. These houseplants like their soil to be evenly moist with little dry periods between waterings. On average, watering tends to be around every 8 days. Calatheas hate overwatering and are susceptible to root rot. To avoid this, put your finger in the soil to identify if the top couple inches of soil have dried out. When watering your plant, avoid using tap water as it may contain chemicals such as chlorine that can affect your houseplant. Instead, use filtered water or more preferably rainwater. Of course, as with majority of houseplants, water less during the winter months. Calatheas love humidity! Rooms such as shower rooms or steamy kitchens will make these plants very happy. If you opt to place these plants in other rooms, there are methods of creating a humid environment. Misting the Calatheas’ leaves daily, having multiple houseplants around each other as lost water from one plant during the process of transpiration can be picked up by another plant, and lastly using a humidifier. These can be a preferred option as they can be small, quiet, and turned on and off to create the perfect humidity levels for your Calathea.
Are Calathea plants safe for cats and dogs?
Calathea houseplants you will be glad to hear are non-toxic for both cats and dogs. The prayer plant makes a perfect splash of colour to your space if you are also a fury friend lover!
How to Water & Care for Calatheas with Haley Smith
FAQ
How do I know if my Calathea is happy?
If the soil is dry, give it a good drink and see if the leaves uncurl in a few hours. Leaf droop is also an indication of underwatering. Your Calathea also prefers consistent temperatures and will likely throw a paddy if there are huge temperature fluctuations.
Do Calatheas like to be misted?
Calathea plants prefer high humidity levels, so misting the leaves can be beneficial. However, it’s not necessary to mist the leaves every day. Misting the leaves once or twice a week should provide the plant with the necessary moisture.
What does an overwatered Calathea look like?
What does an overwatered calathea look like? Overwatered calatheas commonly display yellow or dark splotches on their leaves, and they may also start to wilt. If root rot has set in, the plant’s roots can become smelly or slimy and its soil will stay wet long after you’ve watered too.
Do Calathea plants need a lot of water?
Calathea plants like their soil to stay moist, but not wet, and they like to be in moderately humid conditions. While I stayed with my aunt recently, I got to care for her calathea plants. I noticed that the frequency and amount of watering required for her calathea plants varied greatly!
How often should you water a Calathea?
In general, expect to water the Calathea once a week during the summer and a little less during the winter. No matter what, however, you should always check how moist the soil is before you water the plant. If the top 2 inches feel dry, water the plant. If, however, the soil still feels moist, wait another day or two before checking again.
How do you care for a Calathea?
Once you are happy that your calathea has dried out enough, making sure not to let it dry entirely, you can get started with watering. ‘Water the entire surface of the soil well and avoid splashing the leaves,’ says Vladan. Saturating the leaves of calatheas could scar the foliage, hindering the appearance of their unique patterns.
Should you water a Calathea if it’s too wet?
Watering your calathea while it is still too wet risks root rot, which can kill off your plant. You can use tools like this plant water meter from Amazon to help you monitor moisture levels in the soil. Paris has been at The Sill for five years, looking after Plant Education and Community.
How do you know if Calathea needs water?
The best way to understand precisely when Calathea needs water is by checking the soil’s moisture level. Poke your finger inside the soil to know the moisture level. If soil sticks in your finger and feels wet, you can avoid watering. But if the soil feels dry, it is time you should water the plant.
How do you water a Calathea plant?
Those using a coarser mix like the homemade blend we described above will probably be better off watering from the top. To bottom water your plant, set its container inside a larger tray and fill the bigger container with water until it’s higher than the sides of your Calathea’s pot. Then wait.