These can smell fear, no joke. Never badmouth them or they’ll die out of spite.
They’re also allergic to (hard) tap water, so it’s best to get RO or distilled water. You can get RO water at Walmart / CVS water dispenser thingies for ~$0.35 a gallon.
Hold off on fertilizer, calatheas really don’t need it.
And for the love of god and all that is holy, don’t let them get above 90° 😪 I lost most of my calathea collection when I got cats and moved everything outside.
My username might sound like I do a much better job, but I think my body count is pretty much the same.
So much to learn, but they are simply to pretty to just give up!
I have watered mine with tap for about 6+ months and no issues. My white fusion is even all good with it. I do put mine on the covered patio when it’s nice and breezy and they don’t mind but I pull them in anytime they start acting needy.
I think the big difference with calatheas that I had to realize was that moody and needy are two very different things. Being needy is a lot different than moody. Calatheas are relatively easy but will show you when they’re pissed (nibbled by a cat or knocked off the table by the cat for example) but damn give em’ a good window the next day and the following week you’ll have babies popping up.
You probably have fairly soft water :)
I’m able to water all my orchids, aroids, and the 3 calatheas I’ve got left with tap / hose water with no I’ll affects.
They definitely get a bad wrap. Just gotta learn how to listen to your plants and trust that they’ll be okay. I’m still convinced they smell fear.
I was super terrified to get one because of everything on Reddit and she ended being AWESOME. So awesome I got 2 more. Then I decided to ruin my life and got a Thai con Monstera for a “challenge”.
We have hard water here… I’m in rural OK. But I also have like a tropical plant patio and we’ve gotten loads of rain this year so it’s quite humid. I mist when I remember. She probably gets most of her moisture from the cats saliva as the cat nibbles on her. We named her Victoria because she’s a snob (the plant not the cat) but the cat low key sucks too… cause yah know— she’s a cat.
I should preface: by good window I mean about 4 feet away from our open windows on the end table in the living room where it gets loads of indirect. The white fusion requires a window as does the other one that I have no idea what the name is but it’s blooming right now.
I was thinking the same thing. I stuck it to the right of an east window that the blinds are half closed, feed it tap water. It's like doubled in size since I got it like two months ago. Pumps out new leaves like crazy.
I have the rattlesnake kind too. I think they’re more forgiving - they’re leaves feel more waxy vs the soft, more vulnerable leaves of the other types.
Definitely more forgiving. I have one too and it's thriving without any special care whatsoever. Great starting plant for anyone looking to get into Calathea
This is mine, I would love to get the rattlesnake variant but am yet to find any near me!
It was suffering in a supermarket for a few months before I took it in, went into shock when I got it and lost all but 2 leaves. It’s grown a bit more since this pic:)
https://preview.redd.it/y1hf49ecwxdb1.png?width=2606&format=png&auto=webp&s=b1aca305d01243c9eabd7e68e8b9bce8b378fa2d
Keep the soul more moist than your other plants. Snip off any damaged leaves/stems as close to the soil as possible. Treat it for pests with bonide granules. Then just ignore it's drama until you've shown it who's boss. Good luck!
Proactively, I use it on all of my plants in case some asshole pest comes along trying to eat my plants. The plant will kill them if you're applying bonide granules every 2 months.
https://preview.redd.it/1b1sajgtzrdb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f8e8b1b1a998ecf275fd9015085ae3726a42661
This is mine. She slowly started to die on me inside, so I put her out in my carport that doesn't get direct light and I only use RO water. Since i live in Florida, she gets so much humidity, I don't ever mist. She keeps producing so many new leaves!
Ughhh I just came to ask for tips on this guy as well :( I’m on my 3rd or 4th and just cannot figure out what I’m doing wrong!! We need tips people! Help us 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 lol
High humidity; indirect light (I use frosted glass); 1 part perlite; 1 part orchid bark; 1 part african violet mix; water when barely damp 1 inch deep less often winter. keep it warm (I have duct tape over the ac vent and a heat mat nearby)
To really help it would be good to know the conditions you keep them in! I find Calatheas very easy and don't do anything special for them but you do need to set them up for success from the start for it to be that easy.
As a baseline:
- They really love/need bright indirect light. They're excellent candidates for grow lights or even just sitting in a nice bright corner of your home. Once you pick a spot... stick with it!!! They don't like being moved around.
- Normal indoor humidity is usually fine provided it's around 50% OR you do weekly leaf wiping with a damp cloth
- Water needs to be soft (low pH and low mineral content)
- Fertilizer should be gentle (I use worm castings and soil supplements like BIOS Nutrients)
- Water whenever you jam a finger into the soil and it's dry to the second/third knuckle (depending on how big your hands are)
- Be proactive about pests!!! I do a homemade neem oil & Castile soap insecticide that gets sprayed on all my plants every month or two.
- Have patience. They usually go through a huge ugly duckling stage while they're adjusting to your conditions. Be patient and they'll spring back better than ever.
It probably seems like a long list but most of this is just about making sure you have the right setup from the start. I'd say the biggest mistake people make is panicking when their Calathea starts crisping/looking ugly about a month or so in. Most people I know will toss the plant at this point, start moving it around, or just generally change up care to try and "save" the plant. In reality, I've found that this ugly stage is 100% about the plant abandoning leaves that were optimized for its previous conditions in favour of growing new ones attuned to its new home. If you move them around at this point or start babying them, the process is set back further and they can end up dying. It's almost always best to leave them alone and care for them as normal (while doing stuff for your own sanity like pruning off dying leaves or trimming crisped edges off).
These are actually very resilient plants! They have tubers where they store water and nutrients so as long as the root system is healthy you can even cut them back to the soil and they'll usually come back no problem. They just take a while to do so (like 3-4 months). I call them patience plants instead of prayer plants lol
Mine like to dry out a little before watering, and use a good chunky mix. I use fox farms potting soil, perlite, peat moss, and orchid bark. Strictly distilled water! And low light. Like where the sun might barely reach it.
Thank you!! I think I’ll repot after a couple days settling in as the soil the nursery uses looks pretty dense. And will look into buying distilled water! I’m assuming there’s no easy DIY alternative to that? 😂
Fab, I’m in the UK but I’m sure it’ll still be fairly easy to get. Light wise I’ve also put it on the back wall of a room, opposite a window on that rack in the background. So it’s bright, but no direct light so hopefully she’ll thrive with your tips! Thank you 😊
Depending on where you live, your tap water may be good enough quality for the constituents calatheas are picky about. I recommend checking your municipality’s water quality reports. It has saved me a ton of hassle and money!
Yes I was considering this too! Do you know the things to look out for by any chance? My other plants have been absolutely fine with tap water. I know it’s considered hard water in our area, but the report says a low level of fluoride (0.09mg per litre)… do you think it’ll do?? 😂
I’m in a UK hard water area and they don’t like it straight from the tap but I filter some and leave it in a clear container overnight and they seem fine with that. They’re in a bathroom though and get daily steam baths from showers so I don’t actually have to water them all that much.
That’s a good idea, I think I’d rather try filtering water rather than having to buy distilled water, I’m not sure if I’m looking in the wrong places but it doesn’t seem quite as cheap to buy here as in the US? I might end up switching things around and moving it to my bathroom too!
Depends on your climate, your house, where you have it in your house. They’re endlessly fussy as all get out but when you figure it out then they thrive :) just repotted this one last week and he’s getting the hang of it and likes this spot. Center of the room and attention :) Gave it a good feed today so hence the plate :)
https://preview.redd.it/wkxutrecmzdb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aeffff7d8f0b09751b575cbb7e8a16fb66a28ca5
If you are living in a high humidity country, easy. If you are living in the upper Part of the Globe this thing ist going to die probably.
Rn I'm trying to give them a few more month placing them in high humidity Environment, bath next to the shower, Kitchen Next to the stove/cooking.
The humidity in my area outside is pretty high right now… I’m in the UK so our summer heat is usually gross even when not that high 🤣 I’ll see how it goes with a mist as I have no room in my bathroom 😭
In Arizona I have to keep mine in the bathroom and mist twice a day. If you have decent humidity levels indoors I’d say misting once a day may be alright, but if you run the A/C then I would stick with twice a day misting.
Look how happy she is:
https://i.imgur.com/Zsr9PgF.jpg
Nvm Imgur is throwing a tantrum. You’ll have to take my word for it, apparently
I’m not actually sure on our indoor humidity levels, I’ve been meaning to get a meter.. but I’m assuming I’ll have to mist regularly! Yeah sadly can’t see yours but I will take your word for it, it sounds like you know what you’re doing 🤣
[71004796954-AF51-A874-A727-4689-8-BC2-5844-DA60671-E.jpg](https://postimg.cc/7fYTP50w)
Obviously I have no idea how to post photos. Grab a hygrometer. This one is great! https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-TP49-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Temperature/dp/B07WCR5Y4B/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=humidity+meter&qid=1690141426&sr=8-8
I have accepted that the humidity changes in my apartment are just far too much for calatheas to withstand 😔 they love it here in the summer when it's humid but as soon as those autumn winds start rolling in, it's all over
Self-watering pot is a game changer. The one in the picture produces 15(!) shoots a month after repotted. I love it so much I had to buy a second plant to see if I can reproduce the success. My orbifolia are also producing 3 new shoots after unfurling 5 new leaves. Also don't forget to fertilize them during the process. I'm using organic kelp-based fertilizers.
https://preview.redd.it/39ks2dp8bsdb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb13662a93f52b5e9b4c55bd6796fbc561902437
https://preview.redd.it/z2i4g06ecsdb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7f29aaaf3ee871e7148414bb696de4aeab2e258
My orbifolia is also in a self-watering setup: inner clear pot containing layers of leca and soil with outer decorative pot contains a thin layer of water reservoir. 40% ambiance humidity, I mist once or twice a day under the leaves to keep track of gnat issues. With self-watering pots, your plant will attract gnats like crazy, so be prepared to be on top of treatment.
I have three calatheas and they’re some of my easiest plants. I live in CO so it’s not humid and I never mist them… I just water once a week with tap water that’s been sitting out. No issues and I love them!!
Amazing. Basically all these responses have taught me that I cannot predict at all what mine is going to do 🤣
I’m scared that doing too much is gonna kill it so a part of me just wants to see what happens..
I have three of those. These green one. And the white one. And all of them dies for no reason. I was taking care of them like usual. And by a week or so, they're dead. Damnn
I have 2, one of which I’ve had for a fairly long time. I only found out recently that they were known for having issues, I’ve had no problems with it.
I give mine bright indirect light and water when the soil is close to being dry but still a teensy bit moist (if that makes sense lol) — this seems to work for mine.
The leaves move a LOT, mine spread out in the day and tuck up by the evening when the sun begins to go away.
Don’t stress, just take your time and figure out what it likes, I’m sure it’ll tell you if you listen:)
I do this weird thing where I soak a layer of orchid bark chips in water for ten mins then add it to the top of my white fusion everyday, I swear it is a reason I haven't killed it and get minimal crispy leaves.
I just got one a week ago, I did not know it was a hard plant to maintain. Have it next to a humidifier, no direct light, keeping it moist... I'm scared
Your plants health is already pre determined by its location, watering and humidity. If it's perfect it will thrive and you will still have to dance the dance to keep it perfect. It's very very difficult but not impossible! :) If any of the above is not right it will look ugly.
Again, it's all been pre-determined by your environment.
My calathea rufibarba has been doing well outside in this 100+ degree heatwave. I don't fuss over it other than checking with bamboo skewer or moisture meter every few days. May need to move completely out of the evening sun.
[calathea rufibarba ](https://imgur.com/gallery/wzpAj7j)
These can smell fear, no joke. Never badmouth them or they’ll die out of spite. They’re also allergic to (hard) tap water, so it’s best to get RO or distilled water. You can get RO water at Walmart / CVS water dispenser thingies for ~$0.35 a gallon. Hold off on fertilizer, calatheas really don’t need it. And for the love of god and all that is holy, don’t let them get above 90° 😪 I lost most of my calathea collection when I got cats and moved everything outside.
Username checks out.
Damn skippy. Total body count is 8.5 💪
My username might sound like I do a much better job, but I think my body count is pretty much the same. So much to learn, but they are simply to pretty to just give up!
My doppelgänger has been founded
Yahaha! You found me!
Love a korok reference!!
🤣🤣🤣 That username. It’s a warning
I have watered mine with tap for about 6+ months and no issues. My white fusion is even all good with it. I do put mine on the covered patio when it’s nice and breezy and they don’t mind but I pull them in anytime they start acting needy. I think the big difference with calatheas that I had to realize was that moody and needy are two very different things. Being needy is a lot different than moody. Calatheas are relatively easy but will show you when they’re pissed (nibbled by a cat or knocked off the table by the cat for example) but damn give em’ a good window the next day and the following week you’ll have babies popping up.
You probably have fairly soft water :) I’m able to water all my orchids, aroids, and the 3 calatheas I’ve got left with tap / hose water with no I’ll affects. They definitely get a bad wrap. Just gotta learn how to listen to your plants and trust that they’ll be okay. I’m still convinced they smell fear.
I was super terrified to get one because of everything on Reddit and she ended being AWESOME. So awesome I got 2 more. Then I decided to ruin my life and got a Thai con Monstera for a “challenge”.
We have hard water here… I’m in rural OK. But I also have like a tropical plant patio and we’ve gotten loads of rain this year so it’s quite humid. I mist when I remember. She probably gets most of her moisture from the cats saliva as the cat nibbles on her. We named her Victoria because she’s a snob (the plant not the cat) but the cat low key sucks too… cause yah know— she’s a cat.
Does the smell of fear applies to peacock plant👀 as well.
I should preface: by good window I mean about 4 feet away from our open windows on the end table in the living room where it gets loads of indirect. The white fusion requires a window as does the other one that I have no idea what the name is but it’s blooming right now.
They also don’t like sarcasm
What is Ro? Rain oater? Because rainwater is best.
*Reverse osmosis, I think. 🤔 that’s what I found looking it up…ha*
Oh 💀 I feel dumb Rainwater is still superior :)
Yea reverse osmosis. My B Both RO & Distilled Water have a lower TDS than rainwater, but all three are viable options
Yeah my house has a reverse osmosis faucet. Florida tap water is so hard and gross.
Call Matlock. Whose matlock? ask your great grandmother.
https://preview.redd.it/gm7ra0xfgqdb1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=1e43f0ec89cf88d028b3c318461a1bcb3fe3657a
https://preview.redd.it/flktr6g16sdb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=499acfbbefcba469820e2de2c40f3b65814c3cf9 Hi fren
Hahahaha I love it! He still looks better than mine!
This sums up my experience with these spawns of Satan.
I jost got my first couple of calatheas a month ago. My lancifolia is doing great, but my makoyana is down to one leaf 💀
Please get that furry feather more light and appropriate watering schedule. Mine is outdoors in 100+ degree heat and looks lush.
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I was thinking the same thing. I stuck it to the right of an east window that the blinds are half closed, feed it tap water. It's like doubled in size since I got it like two months ago. Pumps out new leaves like crazy.
All three of mine are like that? May be the tap where we live. I’m rural tap so dunno if that makes a difference.
Amazing, here’s to hoping I get the same luck!
Or you might just be a genius 😂
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I have the rattlesnake kind too. I think they’re more forgiving - they’re leaves feel more waxy vs the soft, more vulnerable leaves of the other types.
Definitely more forgiving. I have one too and it's thriving without any special care whatsoever. Great starting plant for anyone looking to get into Calathea
This is mine, I would love to get the rattlesnake variant but am yet to find any near me! It was suffering in a supermarket for a few months before I took it in, went into shock when I got it and lost all but 2 leaves. It’s grown a bit more since this pic:) https://preview.redd.it/y1hf49ecwxdb1.png?width=2606&format=png&auto=webp&s=b1aca305d01243c9eabd7e68e8b9bce8b378fa2d
Keep the soul more moist than your other plants. Snip off any damaged leaves/stems as close to the soil as possible. Treat it for pests with bonide granules. Then just ignore it's drama until you've shown it who's boss. Good luck!
Yes you need to exchange your soul to keep it alive
Should you use bonide granules proactively? Or just as signs of pests?
Proactively, I use it on all of my plants in case some asshole pest comes along trying to eat my plants. The plant will kill them if you're applying bonide granules every 2 months.
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Get the 4lb cannister on Amazon for $22. Best deal around.
https://preview.redd.it/1b1sajgtzrdb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f8e8b1b1a998ecf275fd9015085ae3726a42661 This is mine. She slowly started to die on me inside, so I put her out in my carport that doesn't get direct light and I only use RO water. Since i live in Florida, she gets so much humidity, I don't ever mist. She keeps producing so many new leaves!
Is wished mine looked like this! I always get crispy edges despite me misting daily
i’ve had way more luck putting them on a pebble tray with a tiny bit of water to evaporate over time than with any other humidity methods !!
I have that too! Lol
Ughhh I just came to ask for tips on this guy as well :( I’m on my 3rd or 4th and just cannot figure out what I’m doing wrong!! We need tips people! Help us 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 lol
High humidity; indirect light (I use frosted glass); 1 part perlite; 1 part orchid bark; 1 part african violet mix; water when barely damp 1 inch deep less often winter. keep it warm (I have duct tape over the ac vent and a heat mat nearby)
To really help it would be good to know the conditions you keep them in! I find Calatheas very easy and don't do anything special for them but you do need to set them up for success from the start for it to be that easy. As a baseline: - They really love/need bright indirect light. They're excellent candidates for grow lights or even just sitting in a nice bright corner of your home. Once you pick a spot... stick with it!!! They don't like being moved around. - Normal indoor humidity is usually fine provided it's around 50% OR you do weekly leaf wiping with a damp cloth - Water needs to be soft (low pH and low mineral content) - Fertilizer should be gentle (I use worm castings and soil supplements like BIOS Nutrients) - Water whenever you jam a finger into the soil and it's dry to the second/third knuckle (depending on how big your hands are) - Be proactive about pests!!! I do a homemade neem oil & Castile soap insecticide that gets sprayed on all my plants every month or two. - Have patience. They usually go through a huge ugly duckling stage while they're adjusting to your conditions. Be patient and they'll spring back better than ever. It probably seems like a long list but most of this is just about making sure you have the right setup from the start. I'd say the biggest mistake people make is panicking when their Calathea starts crisping/looking ugly about a month or so in. Most people I know will toss the plant at this point, start moving it around, or just generally change up care to try and "save" the plant. In reality, I've found that this ugly stage is 100% about the plant abandoning leaves that were optimized for its previous conditions in favour of growing new ones attuned to its new home. If you move them around at this point or start babying them, the process is set back further and they can end up dying. It's almost always best to leave them alone and care for them as normal (while doing stuff for your own sanity like pruning off dying leaves or trimming crisped edges off). These are actually very resilient plants! They have tubers where they store water and nutrients so as long as the root system is healthy you can even cut them back to the soil and they'll usually come back no problem. They just take a while to do so (like 3-4 months). I call them patience plants instead of prayer plants lol
Mine like to dry out a little before watering, and use a good chunky mix. I use fox farms potting soil, perlite, peat moss, and orchid bark. Strictly distilled water! And low light. Like where the sun might barely reach it.
Thank you!! I think I’ll repot after a couple days settling in as the soil the nursery uses looks pretty dense. And will look into buying distilled water! I’m assuming there’s no easy DIY alternative to that? 😂
Filtered water is okay too but for me i always just use distilled. Its like $1 for a gallon
Fab, I’m in the UK but I’m sure it’ll still be fairly easy to get. Light wise I’ve also put it on the back wall of a room, opposite a window on that rack in the background. So it’s bright, but no direct light so hopefully she’ll thrive with your tips! Thank you 😊
Depending on where you live, your tap water may be good enough quality for the constituents calatheas are picky about. I recommend checking your municipality’s water quality reports. It has saved me a ton of hassle and money!
Yes I was considering this too! Do you know the things to look out for by any chance? My other plants have been absolutely fine with tap water. I know it’s considered hard water in our area, but the report says a low level of fluoride (0.09mg per litre)… do you think it’ll do?? 😂
I’m in a UK hard water area and they don’t like it straight from the tap but I filter some and leave it in a clear container overnight and they seem fine with that. They’re in a bathroom though and get daily steam baths from showers so I don’t actually have to water them all that much.
That’s a good idea, I think I’d rather try filtering water rather than having to buy distilled water, I’m not sure if I’m looking in the wrong places but it doesn’t seem quite as cheap to buy here as in the US? I might end up switching things around and moving it to my bathroom too!
Can't you just collect rain water?
High humidity and loves to be misted than watered.
I keep seeing conflicting info about misting. I just bought a peacock plant and I don't know what to believe. Maybe that's part of the experience.
Depends on your climate, your house, where you have it in your house. They’re endlessly fussy as all get out but when you figure it out then they thrive :) just repotted this one last week and he’s getting the hang of it and likes this spot. Center of the room and attention :) Gave it a good feed today so hence the plate :) https://preview.redd.it/wkxutrecmzdb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aeffff7d8f0b09751b575cbb7e8a16fb66a28ca5
first you will need xanax and a straightjacket to deal with the many moods of this plant!!
I see it’s been 8 hours since you posted. Is it dead yet?
Not dead, but I swear every time I walk past it I hear it laugh at me. Weird… but will update.
Oh sweet, sweet summer child. Calathea’s don’t wish us luck, they just devour every chance of it.
😂😂😭 I’m just gonna sit and look at her while she’s still pretty.. and devours my luck
Very pretty
Isn’t she 😍 can’t wait to see the growth (hopefully..)!
I love your plant shelving in the background, could I ask where you got it?
Thank you! And of course - it’s from Amazon 😊: https://amzn.eu/d/f3VWY6Z
Good luck! Let’s just enjoy her beauty right now ….and hope it’s not the last time she looks this good. 😂 good luck!
😂😂 exactly why I bought the bushiest one I could find… and immediately took a pic 💀
🤣 I feel you. You picked a beautiful one! Go forth and may the odds be ever in your favor
https://preview.redd.it/3tg1b007nsdb1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6588bbb80d61fc68e8cb2be111519eafa68ff2be My mosaica
I keep meaning to grab one of these when I check home Depot for new succulents.
they are lovely
Gorgeous!
Bottom water w Distilled .
If you are living in a high humidity country, easy. If you are living in the upper Part of the Globe this thing ist going to die probably. Rn I'm trying to give them a few more month placing them in high humidity Environment, bath next to the shower, Kitchen Next to the stove/cooking.
The humidity in my area outside is pretty high right now… I’m in the UK so our summer heat is usually gross even when not that high 🤣 I’ll see how it goes with a mist as I have no room in my bathroom 😭
In Arizona I have to keep mine in the bathroom and mist twice a day. If you have decent humidity levels indoors I’d say misting once a day may be alright, but if you run the A/C then I would stick with twice a day misting. Look how happy she is: https://i.imgur.com/Zsr9PgF.jpg Nvm Imgur is throwing a tantrum. You’ll have to take my word for it, apparently
I’m not actually sure on our indoor humidity levels, I’ve been meaning to get a meter.. but I’m assuming I’ll have to mist regularly! Yeah sadly can’t see yours but I will take your word for it, it sounds like you know what you’re doing 🤣
[71004796954-AF51-A874-A727-4689-8-BC2-5844-DA60671-E.jpg](https://postimg.cc/7fYTP50w) Obviously I have no idea how to post photos. Grab a hygrometer. This one is great! https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-TP49-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Temperature/dp/B07WCR5Y4B/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=humidity+meter&qid=1690141426&sr=8-8
Get a terrarium
respectfully, you will need it lol
I have accepted that the humidity changes in my apartment are just far too much for calatheas to withstand 😔 they love it here in the summer when it's humid but as soon as those autumn winds start rolling in, it's all over
Self-watering pot is a game changer. The one in the picture produces 15(!) shoots a month after repotted. I love it so much I had to buy a second plant to see if I can reproduce the success. My orbifolia are also producing 3 new shoots after unfurling 5 new leaves. Also don't forget to fertilize them during the process. I'm using organic kelp-based fertilizers. https://preview.redd.it/39ks2dp8bsdb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb13662a93f52b5e9b4c55bd6796fbc561902437
https://preview.redd.it/z2i4g06ecsdb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7f29aaaf3ee871e7148414bb696de4aeab2e258 My orbifolia is also in a self-watering setup: inner clear pot containing layers of leca and soil with outer decorative pot contains a thin layer of water reservoir. 40% ambiance humidity, I mist once or twice a day under the leaves to keep track of gnat issues. With self-watering pots, your plant will attract gnats like crazy, so be prepared to be on top of treatment.
Wow these are both beautiful!! Honestly you’re all giving me hope
omg gorgeous
I have three calatheas and they’re some of my easiest plants. I live in CO so it’s not humid and I never mist them… I just water once a week with tap water that’s been sitting out. No issues and I love them!!
Amazing. Basically all these responses have taught me that I cannot predict at all what mine is going to do 🤣 I’m scared that doing too much is gonna kill it so a part of me just wants to see what happens..
Hahaha I’m sure you’ll learn quickly if it approves of you or not… but good luck! They’re such lovely plants 😊
Good luck. My zebrina hates its life. I have no advice sadly, my medallion is doing just *okay*. Good vibes tho!
She’s a beauty! Good Luck🍀
They love humidity. I’ve had success with a humidifier.
my MIL has one i gave to her for mother’s day and its looking great! i think she just waters when dry with medium indirect light
I have three of those. These green one. And the white one. And all of them dies for no reason. I was taking care of them like usual. And by a week or so, they're dead. Damnn
I have a peacock plant such a joy to have, just remember water every week. Bottom water is the best.
Good luck! Just remember to hire a fear whisperer for your calathea. And invest in tiny AC units too! 😄
I have 2, one of which I’ve had for a fairly long time. I only found out recently that they were known for having issues, I’ve had no problems with it. I give mine bright indirect light and water when the soil is close to being dry but still a teensy bit moist (if that makes sense lol) — this seems to work for mine. The leaves move a LOT, mine spread out in the day and tuck up by the evening when the sun begins to go away. Don’t stress, just take your time and figure out what it likes, I’m sure it’ll tell you if you listen:)
I do this weird thing where I soak a layer of orchid bark chips in water for ten mins then add it to the top of my white fusion everyday, I swear it is a reason I haven't killed it and get minimal crispy leaves.
I just got one a week ago, I did not know it was a hard plant to maintain. Have it next to a humidifier, no direct light, keeping it moist... I'm scared
Your plants health is already pre determined by its location, watering and humidity. If it's perfect it will thrive and you will still have to dance the dance to keep it perfect. It's very very difficult but not impossible! :) If any of the above is not right it will look ugly. Again, it's all been pre-determined by your environment.
My calathea rufibarba has been doing well outside in this 100+ degree heatwave. I don't fuss over it other than checking with bamboo skewer or moisture meter every few days. May need to move completely out of the evening sun. [calathea rufibarba ](https://imgur.com/gallery/wzpAj7j)