Why are my Calathea leaves curling?

The leaves of a Calathea Plant curl under when the temperature is too warm or the Calathea Plant is in an area that is too bright. Here are some things that might be causing the problem: water with too many chemicals or if it is too hard or too soft, over fertilization, direct sun, lack of humidity, and plant diseases.

Correspondingly, how often should you water Calathea?

Feed them room temperature water when the soil an inch (2.5 centimeters) below the surface is dry. The plants require regular watering during the summer months and less frequent watering during the colder months. You can periodically give the plants houseplant fertilizer [source: House of Plants].

Additionally, will Calathea leaves uncurl? A healthy calathea will slowly turn its leaves to catch ambient rays of sunshine; an unhealthy calathea will curl its leaves tightly to signify distress. Once you fix the problem, the leaves might even uncurl before your eyes. Move your plant out of the light.

Keeping this in consideration, why are my plants leaves curling inward?

SYMPTOMS: Edges of leaves curl inward and form a cup, even when the lights are off. The upper leaves are most affected. CAUSE: Heat stress causes rapid evaporation, so plants curl up to conserve moisture. PREVENTION: Monitor the temperature not just in the room, but around the upper surface of plants.

Should I mist my Calathea?

While some might appreciate being misted, take care not to mist them directly on the top of the leaves (or have moisture fall into the tightly raveled straws the new leaves make). Spray from the bottom up, and higher overall humidity is preferred over misting.

22 Related Question Answers Found

What is wrong with my Calathea?

Calathea can be a bit temperamental when it comes to care. If there are any problems with Calathea care, they come from over or under-watering and lack of the right temperature or humidity levels.

How do you revive a dying Calathea?

Water a Calathea Plant with distilled water, rain water, or allow your tap water to sit out over night before using it. Calathea Plants like moist but not soggy soil at all times, but never allow a Calathea Plant to sit in water. Allow the top 2-3” of the soil in the pot to dry out before watering.

Why is my Calathea not closing?

Why is my prayer plant not closing? If it sits near a lamp or other light source at night, it may not be getting dark enough for the leaves to fold up. Try moving it to a new location away from the light to see if it adjusts to light and dark conditions.

Can you propagate Calathea from a leaf?

The easiest way to propagate calathea and maranta plants is by division. In fact, these houseplants tend to do better when they're divided and repotted each year in early spring before the plant's growth period begins. However, only marantas can be propagated by stem cuttings.

What is indirect sunlight?

Indirect sunlight is sunlight that doesn't shine onto a plant at full strength, but is weakened by something coming between it and the plant. For outdoor plants, indirect sunlight is caused by such things as clouds covering the sun, or leaves from trees above the plant breaking up the full strength of the sunshine.

Should I cut the brown tips off my plant?

Yes, but leave just a little bit of brown on each leaf to avoid stressing the plant. If it's brown and dry, then cut the whole leaf, but not too far from the main branch so that it will grow a new leaf. If it still green but just the tip is brown, then use a sharp pair of scissors to just trim the edges.

Can Calathea grow in low light?

Grow calathea in medium to low light. This beautiful tropical doesn't like much sun on its leaves, so shield it from direct light to prevent sunburn. Water calathea enough to keep it moist, but not wet or saturated.

Do Calathea like to be root bound?

As time passes, Calathea plants will also need repotting. This should be done in the spring about every two years. These plants do not like to be pot bound. If there are several rosettes at the base of the plant, now is the time to divide.

Why does my Calathea have brown tips?

Brown edges on leaves are common with calathea and may result from either fertilizing when the soil is dry or uneven watering. Either over- or under-watering your plants may cause leaf edges to brown. It is not necessary to remove the entire leaf, as it will continue to grow even after trimming.

What causes the tips of leaves to turn brown?

When houseplants get brown tips on their leaves, it's generally an indication of poor watering habits. The best way to water a houseplant is to thoroughly flush it until water runs freely out the drainage holes. Shallow watering can cause brown tips on the leaves.

Does Calathea clean the air?

Calathea. Calathea is a houseplant that really purifies the air, so it is a true eye-catcher in every interior that also makes a contribution to a better and healthier indoor climate. Calathea is also special for another reason: it closes its leaves at night and opens them again in the morning!

Why does my plant look droopy?

When plants don't receive enough water, their leaves begin to droop, or wilt. Often the edges curl and the leaves turn yellow, too. This is a defense mechanism, because shedding leaves helps a plant get rid of some surface area that would lose water to the atmosphere.

How much sun does a Calathea need?

Growing Conditions

This plant prefers light shade and dappled light indoors. Direct, noon sun will fade the colors of the leaves. It likes both tropical humidity and tropical temperatures above 60 F. The growing medium should consist of a light, porous potting mix that retains water but drains well.

What nutrient deficiency causes yellow leaves?

The most common nutrient problem associated with chlorosis is lack of iron, but yellowing may also be caused by manganese, zinc, or nitrogen deficiencies. According to Schuster one way to separate iron deficiency from other deficiencies is to determine what foliage turned yellow first.

What to do when leaves curl up?

When the lower leaves curl under, make sure you aren't overwatering the plant. The soil should never be soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings, and then give the plant as much water as the soil can hold. The excess water should drain freely though the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

How do you save an overwatered plant?

To save an overwatered plant, start by moving it out of the sun and into a shady spot. Then, carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it on top of a baking rack for several hours so the roots can dry. If any of the roots are brown or smell like they're rotting, prune them off.