Potting soil often does not meet the needs of your houseplants. The he alth and growth of the demanding Calathea in particular can be promoted by the right substrate. We will explain to you how to put together a substrate mixture for calatheas.
What substrate does my Calathea need?
A Calathea needsair-permeable, humus-rich soil. The optimal substrate must quickly absorb and store water and nutrients. So that the roots can establish themselves well, the soil should be permeable.
What advantages does a self-mixed substrate offer?
Your own substrate mixture can beoptimally tailored to the needs of the respective houseplant. By adding additives such as clay granules, pine bark or coconut fibers, the soil's water storage and air content can be individually adjusted. This also counteracts the frequent hardening of purchased potting soil.
How do I mix a substrate for my Calathea?
Use high-quality, peat-free potting soil as the basis for the substrate mix for your Calathea. Pre-fertilized products save you the additional handling of fertilizer. Due to the high water consumption, the mix for your calathea should contain between 60 and 70% potting soil. For vigorous growth, add coconut fiber. This keeps the soil loose and makes it easier for the roots to spread. Small clay granules, perlite or pumice ensure good air permeability of the substrate and he althy root growth.
Tip
The all-rounder pine bark
You can cover the soil of your calathea with pine bark. This reduces evaporation and the soil remains evenly moist. Unlike bark mulch, pine bark does not mold. At the same time, the pot looks very visually appealing thanks to the covering. In this case, use horn shavings as a balancing fertilizer.
