The Calathea, also known as the basket marante or arrowroot, is one of the non-poisonous houseplants that requires a little more effort to care for. The Calathea even takes offense at small care mistakes. What you need to consider when caring for a calathea.
How do I properly care for a calathea?
Calathea care includes slightly moist root balls, warmed, low-lime rainwater for watering, little liquid fertilizer, pruning when the leaves are dry and regular repotting in soil that is not too nutrient-rich. Shower off pests and keep temperatures above 18 degrees Celsius.
How to water the Calathea correctly?
Be sure to avoid the Calathea being too wet or too dry. It does not tolerate waterlogging or dryness of the bales. The root ball must always be slightly moist.
For watering and spraying the leaves, use slightly warmed, low-lime water; rainwater is best.
What should you pay attention to when fertilizing the basket marante?
The Calathea only needs a little fertilizer. It reacts to excessive fertilizer application with yellow leaves.
It is enough if you supply the basket marante with a little liquid fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) at monthly intervals from April to September.
Do not fertilize in winter or after repotting.
Does the Calathea need to be cut?
You can cut off dried, brown leaves and faded flowers at any time.
In spring, cut shoot cuttings if you want to propagate the Calathea.
When is repotting necessary?
Repotting takes place in spring when the previous pot has become too small. Do not use potting soil that is too rich in nutrients. Water the basket marante well.
After repotting, you must not fertilize the Calathea for several weeks.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Illnesses only occur if care is not right. Above all, waterlogging or dryness of the balls lead to illness.
Pests mainly occur in winter when the air in the room is very dry. This is
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Thrips
Spider mites are relatively common. Cover the substrate and place the Calathea under the shower to rinse off the pests.
Why do the leaves of the basket marante stand up at night?
The basket marant assumes its “sleeping position” in the evening. She puts the leaves up. This is a completely natural process. In the morning the leaves unfold again.
Which ambient temperatures are ideal?
The Calathea likes it warm. In summer, temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees are ideal. Even in winter it shouldn't get too cold. It shouldn't get colder than 18 degrees at the location.
Is the Calathea hardy?
The Calathea comes from the rainforests of South America. It is not used to frost and cannot even tolerate temperatures below 15 degrees plus. You can therefore safely grow a basket marante all year round in a semi-shady place in the flower window.
In winter, water slightly less but increase the humidity, especially if the plant is near a heater. You shouldn't fertilize in winter at all.
Tip
Not all Calathea species are grown for their flowers. Calathea lancifolia, for example, is valued for its beautiful foliage. The flowering time depends on the respective basket marant variety.
