Calathea sp.
With the most boasting stripes, spots, or large bold patterns, calathea are a genus of plants that are favoured for their large showy patterned leaves. Originating from the tropical Americas, calathea grow on the floors of the jungles in high humidity and medium light. Ranging in many sizes and colours calathea are perfect for tropical climates, greenhouses, conservatories and warm areas indoors.
Growing Conditions
Aspect They prefer a medium to low light position and grow well outdoors on sheltered patios, balconies and verandahs. In subtropical and tropical regions, they thrive outdoors in garden.
Soil Use Seasol Indoor Potting Mix a premium potting mix especially formulated for indoor plants.
Growing Calathea look amazing all year round. They have several growing periods during the year, look for new growth emerging from the soil and feed accordingly.
General care
Watering Calathea prefer to be kept just slightly damp. Check weekly and if they are starting to dry out, water them.
Potting Keep calathea in a plastic nursery pot and sit inside a decorative cover pot. Group together with other plants to create a humid micro-climate.
Feeding A liquid or granular fertiliser can be used. Apply granular PowerFeed Controlled Release Pots & Plants for Indoor & Outdoors once every season. It combines a premium mix of nutrients, seaweed, and microbes for all plants in pots. Supplement or apply a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES Pots & Planters or PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives every 2 to 4 weeks from spring to autumn and less often in winter.
For a ready-to-use no mixing formula, apply PowerFeed Indoor & Potted Plants 1.25 Lt trigger spray to the soil. This easy-to-use liquid fertiliser and soil conditioner helps to improve your soil and feed your plants. Apply every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season and monthly in winter if needed.
Watch out Calathea are prone to browning on the edges. This is likely due to lack of humidity or drying out too much. To increase humidity, group your indoor plants together. Sit your calathea on a pebble tray with a small amount of water, but make sure that the base of the plant is not sitting in water. This will increase humidity immediately around the plant.
Calathea don’t need overly bright positions to thrive so a spot a little further away from a window is perfect.
Keep an eye out for signs of mealybug and treat straight away with EarthCare Enviro Pest Oil insect spray. Ensure to spray both sides of the foliage and repeat 14 days later if needed.
