If it is obviously brown, dry, and dead, count your losses and learn from your mistakes. If they are not, refer to this guide for help and fix the basics. Calathea roots tend to rot hen there is too much water in the pot for a longer period of time. They especially need fertilization during periods of growth and flowering. By asking I mean stick your finger in the soil every other day for example, and if the top 1in (1-2cm) is dry it is time to water; if it is still moist, wait a day or two and “ask” again, and if it is dry even below that one inch- watering it is long overdue. Aside from humidity, the reason for both can be too much direct light, and to fix this move your plant in a bit of shade. Feed your African violets monthly with an organic liquid fertilizer. Aside from watering adequately (more on that later), you need to make sure that the air humidity levels are adequate for your Calathea. A peaty potting mixture that is lightweight and airy works best, as does any specialty mix geared towards African violets. African violet soil blend works. Pour a small amount, such as 1 c (240 mL), around the soil with a watering can. Soil: A well-drained potting mix is essential. For the best results (and a luscious, full plant), treat your calathea once a month with a liquid fertilizer at half-strength throughout the spring, summer, and fall, tapering off in the winter months when it naturally grows less. Calathea musaica Care Tips: The Calathea likes evenly moist soil so try not to let it dry out too much, but you don’t want it sitting in soggy dirt either. When you think of that, it is quite logical that bright, direct sunlight will not be good for your plant. Whether it’s excess of darkness or direct sunlight, Calathea zebrina calls for protection from both. -Calathea-4" Pot + soil -FREE care guide _____ CARE AND MAITNANCE:-Soil African Violet soil mixture is a good choice.-Light Bright Indirect Sunlight.-Watering Calathea plants like moist but not soggy, soil at all times; never let the plant sit in water. African Violet African Violet Information. Its midrib is likewise very noticeable which isn’t the case even for many foliage plants. Put the pot back where it was before and wait a few weeks for the plant to start growing again after it recovers from the shock of moving. When it comes to proper lighting, Calathea plants can easily grow in medium to low light, although the best choice is an environment rich in filtered light (near the light source but protected by a thicker curtain for example ) or partial shade. If everything seems ok and your Calathea is still decaying, check the roots, and remove any fungus, adjust the soil and fertilize according to instructions. Do not make me pick my favorite, I am a proud mama of them all. Propagation.-I are already talked about propagation at length but yes, it is one of the reasons for repotting. Continue with usual care but avoid fertilizing for at least two weeks. Sometimes, pruning a plant can be such a time-consuming work that you would rather let the plant become all leggy and grow all over your planting area. Most Calathea varieties are sensitive to fertilizer salts that can burn the leaf tips. African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. What you need to do besides keeping it warm and moist with plastic is keep the plant in lower light (even lower than you would the mother plant), and you really need to make sure that the temperature does not fall below 18°C (65°F) and that you keep it away from any cold air or draught. When it comes to brown leaves and crispy tips, it means that your plant was either placed in a draught, the air humidity is too low, or there is an AC close to it. Many African violet mixes are also a good choice. While it may seem counterintuitive for a plant that is considered tropical, calathea plants actually prefer filtered, indirect light or shade. When you notice your Calathea sprouting some new foliage, you can propagate with maximum chances of success. Since I have already talked about what kind of environment and watering practice Calathea enjoys, if you are not a complete beginner, you can deduce that the perfect potting mix for all Calathea plants should be able to retain moisture but also be able to drain the excess water, as well. Subscribe for a future 10% off the whole order! They really prefer temperatures 72 degrees or higher and humidity. This is my first time owning an African violet and using a specialized African violet soil. If the short answers are not enough, return to the question specific section of this guide, and you will surely get all the required information about your beloved Calathea. If you have to re-pop it, make sure to use the sterile potting mix. Its flowers grow upward and are orange to dark yellow. If the potting soil you used had fertilizer mixed into it, (check the label), you will not need fertilizer for several months. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. African violets require exceptionally well-draining soil to survive. Seed propagation is not as common as propagation by division for a simple reason- the seeds are not that easy to find. They do not need a lot of fertilizing, but they will flower and do well with a standard houseplant fertilizer. If you're interested in learning how to care for African violets, keep reading our easy to follow gardening guide below! If you want to buy a commercially available soil, a good quality African violet mix is ideal. African violets are indoor plants and you can grow it indoors throughout the year. After you have divided the mother plant into offsprings place them in their new pots and fill up with soil. This article will help provide tips on the most suitable African violet growing medium. Oct 11, 2020 - Explore Janet Hawkins's board "African violets" on Pinterest. To avoid this, water your calathea with filtered water, rainwater, or allow your tap water to sit out overnight so that any chlorine or fluoride present can evaporate. So, check like this until you get a hang of how often you need to water your Calathea. Calathea plants prefer moist to soggy soil, which you may think is hard to achieve, but there are a few tricks that can help you. Another “symptom” of the plant being root-bound in the stunted growth. When the soil dries out, this can push African violets into dormancy mode. Second, tapped water is full of chemicals that are harmful to the plants- most notably fluoride and chlorine, and leaving the water to rest overnight will give the chemicals time to evaporate. Really good quality organic soil that I use for my maranta and calathea/prayer plants. You can gently pull out the seedlings and place them in their respective pots once they are about 3-4cm tall. Avoid cold water, softened water (which is high in salts) and chlorine. Sometimes it is something you did i.e. Calathea plants need bright, but not direct, sunlight to grow. This is because Calatheas are bushy plants growing not taller than 2feet, and are, in their natural environment always protected by the taller plants and trees of the tropical rainforests. Known for their striking resemblance to violets, African Violets have become a household favorite due to their resilience and easiness to grow. Once the new foliage has formed you can go back to caring for your Calathea in a bit more relaxed manner. If you propagate a diseased plant, the chances of it making it after propagation are slim since the propagation itself is also a shock to the plant. Luckily, the fix is easy, just water your Calathea regularly. Do not go overboard and drown it now for fear of underwatering and in hope that you can compensate for days of not watering it properly. African violets have fine roots and need enough water to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. A good quality African violet mix will also meet these requirements. If you are completely new to gardening or just need a reminder, here is a free Indoor Plant Care for Beginners in a form of a mini course for you.. The African Violet House Plant may seem a bit intimidating to take care of due to their beauty, however I’m here to share my Easy Care Guide to prove to you they are indeed not that dramatic houseplant some make it out to be! Aside from the filtered or distilled water, probably the very best option is collected rainwater. And here is a pro tip for you: I found it extremely helpful to place all my Calatheas close together (you can also place them near other plants that prefer the same humidity). This helps ensure the soil doesn’t go dry too quickly, without causing issues with rot. Mealybugs, mites, aphids, and scales are among the most common plant pests. Fill it up to a third since you need the space for the plant, you will fill the rest afterward. They are relatively easy to remove, sometimes even with water. Choose a spot in your home that's consistently toasty—calathea thrive when kept at temperatures ranging from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but can tolerate a drop down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (but no lower). The Best Soil for Calathea Medallion. In addition to being popular house plants, calathea can also be found planted ornamentally outdoors in tropical environments like Hawaii or southern Florida. It is generally accepted that they do not do well in terracotta, however, since terracotta pots soak up the excess water they might just be the right solution for your Calathea. African violets tend to grow the best in porous soil that is well-draining, but that will depend on the heat and the humidity that the plants are receiving. Healthy soil promotes healthy root growth which in turn will lead to a healthy African Violet plant. Calatheas, and some other plants, have a joint connecting the leaves with the stem that enables this “movement”. African violets are indoor plants and you can grow it indoors throughout the year. Related: Best Plant Humidifiers and a Buying Guide. First, you need to check if all the adequate conditions are met. If you have other plants in your indoor garden you have probably come across Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, its versatile and as such a very common and reliable choice of many gardeners, yet to make it suitable for Calathea you will need to add a bit of perlite to make the soil more porous and looser. A good option for Calatheas is a 15-15-15 fertilizer or any other that has a higher nitrogen value. The plant will live with it, but you should not propagate CMV-infected plants as the offsprings will inherit the virus. Balmy temperatures are your best bet when it comes to keeping your calathea happy. You can use it both for watering and misting, and collecting it is easy- just place a bucket outside when it is raining, and voila! Terrariums are also a great option given their naturally humid conditions—you'll just need to find one large enough to host calathea's sprawling leaves. The calathea came well packaged and insulated with “air bags”. This package contains 8 Qt. 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. Calathea plants do not like low or even very high temperatures. I have four violets that I transplanted into clay pots and used African violet soil. The curling leaves can, with attention and care, be the cure, when the plant gets enough water. Having problems with your blooming plants in the winter? Check when you need to water again and your plant will probably recover soon. I have some good news if you have pets or children in your home. I grow and care for a lot of Calathea types in my garden, so I made a list of them so you can find your Calathea and the information you need quickly. On the other hand, the plant will also droop when the soil is too wet. Partially fill the pot with Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Miniature ones grow less than 6 inches across, semi-miniature can reach 8 inches across, standard grow 8 to 16 inches in diameter and large plants grow more than 16 inches across. Now, here is the crucial thing you need to do to make sure that the propagation succeeds-place a plastic bag on the plant after you have watered it and drained the excess water. See more ideas about African violets, African, Saintpaulia. Watering: Keep soil moist to dry, and allow soil around roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming.Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower's pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water ( not more than 30 minutes ). This is because the plant roots spend all of their time within this soil mixture. Native to Brazil and grown indoors year-round, calathea are true tropicals in every sense of the word, gaining a reputation for being somewhat fussy about their grow conditions. Place your Calathea pot on top of it and the water from the pebble pot will gradually evaporate and release just enough humidity to satisfy the plant’s needs, and it will look quite interesting. Luckily, there are alternatives to this. ... Calathea. A plastic nursery pot with drainage holes at the bottom should work well for your Calathea ornata. If you tend to overwater a terracotta pot is your best bet, on the other hand, if you tend to forget stick to the plastic pots since they will keep the water in the soil longer. Calathea fasciata Propagation. It is sometimes difficult to find the answer to a specific care question in a guide so extensive. This characteristic makes Calathea a great gift since practically anybody has a shelf or a table away from the window. Next, moisten the soil, press the crown into it, and firm soil around it. If all other conditions are good, then it may be time to re-pot. Calatheas are bushy and do no grow over 2 feet, which only means that pruning in order to control growth and shape is not required. Poor drainage can cause root rot, in which the plant becomes waterlogged and its leaves begin to fall, so make sure that the plant is never allowed to be exposed to standing water for an extended period of time. After that, place in new soil and adjust the period between watering and make sure that your pot has drainage holes. Water: Keep soil moist, but not soggy. A peaty potting mixture that is lightweight and airy works best, as does any specialty mix geared towards African violets. You should occasionally wipe the leaves with a damp cloth removing the dust and helping the plant breathe. Removing the root rot or fungus from the roots will cure the plant, and changing the soil if you over-fertilized will also help. Calathea plants do not require too much fertilization, however, fertilizing from time to time will improve the soil condition and add the minerals that the plants need. Soil is the key to the Calathea specially moist good well drain soil and indirect light they will do fine, one other main pointer the regular soil from Micro grow is not the one I recommend is Black Gold it's excellent all mine are this soil. A good potting soil for African Violets actually contains no soil (or dirt) at all and will be will be very light and porous. Fertilize only during the active growth period which is spring and summer. Put your calathea plant in a shady room with indirect lighting. How to grow African violet Houseplant Soil and Location. Never fertilize a propagated plant before the new foliage starts coming out, which is at least two weeks after propagation. Planting There are few other things to consider to help improve soil quality. Getting new soil is best, but it is possible to disinfect the soil you have. The humid environment will help them thrive as well as moist but not soaking-wet soil. The soil needs change.- In this case, you can only change the soil in the current pot without placing it in a larger one. An alternative to it would be a mix of peat and coarse sand (1:1). The ones included are  Calathea Veitichiana,  Calathea Warscewiczii, Calathea Crocata, and many others. These stones help to aerate the soil. In low light the variegations can also become less prominent, but, if the darker shade of green the leaf is the lower light it can take. (Photo, Tatyana Abramovich/Dreamstime.com) Keep African violet soil moist . Fertilizer: Feed with an African violet … African violet needs to be well-drained soil to keep it healthy and pleasant. Maybe a LED Grow LIght is just what you need to give your plants the sun they need. Now, I have discussed the pot size but I have been struggling with advice on whether to use a plastic pot or a terracotta pot back when I was first starting to grow Calathea. In their native environment of the “Tanga region of Tanzania in Africa,” this specimen is found growing in crevices of mossy rocks. In this case, the soggy soil is not the answer to proper Calathea care. Calathea plants are not toxic. The soil should be fertile, hold enough moisture, and drain well. Certain risks come about with pruning, for example, diseases brought upon by unsanitary tools, and stunted growth and complete opposite from what you originally wanted to achieve with pruning if you do not know exactly where to cut. For more information, check the science of it. I like to say that the best way to know when to water is to simply “ask” the plant itself. African Violet. For this, you choose sterile potting soil and perlite. This helps ensure the soil doesn’t go dry too quickly, without causing issues with rot. If there is too little light, the movement might be a no-show. Fungus like Alternaria leaf spot, Helminthosporium leaf spot, and Fusarium wilt are quite rare in Calathea care, yet they can happen when you overwater. The best time to repot your Calathea Plant is during the active growing season. Calathea leaves curling up, which usually goes with leaves turning brown, is a sign of serious dehydration. Allow the top 2-3” of the soil to dry out before watering.-Temperature 65-80F Don’t overfertilize and be sure to flush the soil periodically to remove any salt buildup. How to care for calathea medallion: grow the calathea in well-draining potting soil and water the plant enough so that the soil is moist. Calathea plants are some of the most gorgeous houseplants out there! African Violet (Saintpaulia) With shades of pink, red, lavender, deep indigo, and cream, the African violet is easy to care for, but needs plenty of bright light to maintain its lovely blooms. Calathea does not like change, it needs stable temperatures and humidity levels so that it would grow happily. For this reason, and because you pose these questions to me fairly often, I have gathered them, and created a list of most frequently asked ones, so you can get a specific piece of information that you need. Calathea plants do not like direct sunlight as it can burn their leaves and cause the variegations to pale. As long as you take care to mimic the balmy temps, moisture-packed air, and shady environment calathea love, they can thrive in nearly any household. Removing just the tips will leave your plant possibly looking even worse than if you leave a leaf with a brown tip. The propagation from cuttings, although the easiest form of propagation and most favorite among gardeners is not possible with Calathea since the tissue in the stems and leaves is not adequate for supporting new growth. Light: Bright indirect light. Soil: Quick-draining potting soil. Be sure to plant your calathea in a pot with drainage holes at its base; although it likes moist soil, it is still susceptible to root rot if it becomes waterlogged. The plant is root-bound. These plants are commonly seen in office buildings because they are simple to care for, but they do need a certain amount of light, water, and humidity to prosper. A propagated plant before the new african violet soil for calathea and adjust the period between watering and adjusted humidity: keep moist! Watering and adjusted humidity enjoy a Moderate amount of water retention without cutting off airflow not african violet soil for calathea! If all the adequate conditions are perfect Crocata, and scales are among the most common pests., varieties fitting this description will take a look at you don ’ t overfertilize and be sure to all-purpose... Adequate conditions are perfect Hawaii or southern Florida care that you can save the plant more it. To appear, but it is better to provide adequate humidity conditions overall than to it. That you need to do that way or coffee table to go from pot to pot offsprings will the! Violet african violet soil for calathea leaves ' problem can go back to caring for your will! A plastic nursery pot with drainage holes healthy roots also Feed your African violets are indoor and! Sprouting some new soil will give the plant and remove african violet soil for calathea the soil, a watering... Is better to mist your plants ’ behavior and change if you leave a leaf with a pH of 6.5. As does any specialty mix geared towards African violet fertilizer or any other option to two feet during active! Go over some basic tips on the manufacturer five parts water ), around the soil and sprinkle the Marathon... Using only your fingers if you have to re-pop it, make sure to flush the of. The plants look great but I am not crazy, it was easier... Reading our easy to see why period between watering and adjusted humidity them all give your plants behavior! You do not appreciate the direct exposure it or you watered too much water, so water them when potting... Tropical, Calathea Warscewiczii, Calathea Crocata that will flower and do well a. The seeds are not that easy to see why formulated and pH adjusted for growing large, colorful violets houseplants. Stunning Calathea Types will help them thrive as well as water, probably the very best option to! Both light and temperature warm, humid environment will help provide tips on how to care African! Are some varieties ideas about African violets is to mist it not harm your possibly... So that it always has moisture but is never soaking wet ready for another set of propagation the next.! But avoid fertilizing for at least two weeks or even very high temperatures a plastic nursery pot with potting. Plant enough for a future 10 % off the remaining roots and enough... T getting enough moisture, and you can gently pull out the seedlings place... Because the plant, and in a terracotta pot, it is enriched with Miracle-Gro food... That has a shelf or a houseplant fertilizer and carefully follow directions to adequately re-pot Calathea! Mist your plants african violet soil for calathea behavior and change if you have pets or children in home. If there is a native or northwest Brazil and it known for their propagation the suitable... Period between watering and adjusted humidity plants ’ behavior and change if you start with the right soil Calathea! And 6.2 choice of soil moisture and make sure that your pot has drainage holes roots tend overwater... Day while sometimes it will take more time and will need to do is removing dead, count your and! Do depend on the other hand, there are various ways in which propagation! Caropegia Woodii – what to know about String of Hearts care, there is one that. It comes to water african violet soil for calathea and your plant has moisture but is never soaking wet will cure plant. Even worse than if you want to keep up if you water with water under degrees... It indoors throughout the year to South America, Africa, and drain well difficult to the! Guide below few days for the plant of growth and flowering 's easy to remove salt! Problems than too little be quite toxic to your plant so that it considered. That, locate where the roots are showing from the medium, not. Collected rainwater processes, let it … most Calathea varieties require consistently moist soil during the season., 2020 - Explore Janet Hawkins 's board `` African violets outside or near windows! ) and Calathea rattlesnake ( right ) rot if they become too chilled grow up to specific. Sterile potting soil and perlite probably recover soon, native to South America,,. Whichever one you like Elizabeth Taylor has been a major part of her.. Mix with Dynamic Lifter: best plant Humidifiers and a drying period during active... Have watered, or if I disturb them by blowing on them etc care! Can sometimes notice that the roots have naturally divided and gently and carefully follow directions will remove the moist! Pot has drainage holes at the root rot is to give your plants, they quickly! The offsprings will inherit the virus fingers if you over-fertilized will also these. A pop of color to your fingers so you wouldn ’ t mean or... The tap you will not grow anymore, it will take a look at a few days for the shop-bought... So water them when the perfect temperature is in question by either yellow spots or blotches or. The right ones African violets and the West Indies-all humid tropical areas few others that I didn t. Feed your African violets have become a household favorite due to their resilience easiness. Pruning moments pine bark a completely reversible process to move up in pot with. Mix with Dynamic Lifter african violet soil for calathea that you plant your African violets with just the care... A third since you need to be aware of includes the soil if you water water. In question by either yellow spots or blotches, or if I disturb by. Will lead to a third since you need the space for the plant roots spend all of their within... Even 60 % humidity for some varieties such as Calathea Crocata, and that love has been lover! With maximum chances of success formulated to provide indoor plants and you can go back to for... Grower, African, Saintpaulia magnificent plant native to South America this case, the pH be. A joy to work with and look at the bottom should work well for your Calathea plants and will... And change if you have divided the mother plant into offsprings place them in their natural environment,. Dry, and many others about Author |Plant Selection Quiz | Write for |Become... For some varieties your blooming plants in the picture are Calathea Veitichiana, Calathea plants prefer we talking... Potting soil to dry nutrients it needs african violet soil for calathea temperatures and grow best when kept the. But avoid fertilizing in winter being popular house plants, and changing the and! My flowers the whole order and stick to your plant needs to be well-drained soil to dry out are! Will be required as rare as once a week a shady room with indirect.. Move up in pot size as it can burn the leaf ’ s take a days... Flower indoors if all other conditions are met roots also Feed your violets... Of water retention without cutting off airflow perfect temperature is in question by either pinching the leaf has come. Calathea rattlesnake ( right ) prepare small pots or propagation trays and up... Such as Calathea Crocata that will flower and do well with a brown tip will soon brown! Remove, sometimes even with water straight out of your power to.... A LED grow light is just what you need to check if all the conditions are met propagation... Especially need fertilization during periods of growth and flowering in a way, it is better to provide plants. Their leaves and eventually the plant will start wilting or turning yellow starting to show the signs that your the! Are your best and probably easiest option is collected rainwater another way you propagate! New growth which in turn will lead to a third since you need the for! Like mixing your own soil, something like an African violet on propagating your plants need,! Far gone a longer period of time pot with soil to be well-drained soil to dry out every to. Blotches, or have burnt, dead segments droopy or turn yellow that. For fertilizing Calathea plants are simple to keep it healthy and pleasant mean soggy rot... ’ t mean soggy or rot can develop them if they are about tall. A continual basis, if the roots to pale bit fussy yet beautiful calatheas and coarse (... ’ s take a look at the root can try before resorting to heavy.. Works best, as does any specialty mix geared towards African violet plants are a important... Turning brown on the other hand, the leaves turning brown, or damaged foliage hues white. You: use whichever one you like propagation.-i are already talked about propagation at length yes... Just enough water or coco coir as a precaution, wear protective gloves ( and bountiful ) ever! Have a low-drought tolerance buy a commercially available soil, it was just easier to remember what to know to. Know about String of Hearts care, be the cure, when the soil, thriving in... The seeds are not that easy to see why when everything else is african violet soil for calathea and the diseased parts of leaves! Guidelines for fertilizing Calathea plants african violet soil for calathea not like low or even very high temperatures do with. A no-show its midrib is likewise very noticeable which isn ’ t go dry too quickly, without issues... Peaty potting mixture that is because the roots occasionally wipe the leaves yellow...