Difficulty Level: Medium

Calathea plants are popular for indoor purposes because they are generally easy to care for and they look great, offering bright green plants to liven up indoor spaces. Just make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight and give them the right kind of water. Check the Watering section below for details.

Yes! Calathea plants make great pals for your furry friends. They're non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.

• Place your calathea where it will receive bright indirect light, and watch its leaves move up and down with the sun! Avoid direct sunlight, though, as this will scorch the delicate leaves.

• Calathea love to drink from below, where the water is delivered at the root zone, but the top of the soil is somewhat dry.

• Calathea prefer soil that is consistently, evenly moist at all times, but not soggy.

• If the top 2” of the soil becomes dry, then your plant is ready to be watered.

• If you let the soil dry out too much, you may see browning, yellowing, or curling leaves, but don’t fear. These plants are hardy and can bounce back after a good drink!

• Too much water can also lead to root rot, so consistency and moderation are key.

• Calathea Plants like temperatures between 65°-80° F degrees, and do not like cold drafts or temperatures below 55°-60° F degrees.

• Hot temperatures cause the leaves of a calathea plant to curl.

• Calathea love the humidity. Feel free to mist them with water every day.

From our experience, many plants can be brought back to complete health after a few days of routine waterings and care.

If the plant arrives slightly damaged or limp, this may be a result of the plant being deprived of light and water.

It's always best to send us a photo, so we can help you identify and fix the little treasure.

First, let’s clean up your plant. This allows the plant to direct its energy to new healthy growth.

Remove entire brown leaves (they will not turn green again) or the effected portion with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.

Wipe the blades of your scissors with rubbing alcohol between each snip.

You may need to trim your plant in stages because you never want to remove more than 20% of the affected leaves at one time–this could shock your plant.

Now, let’s get your Calathea on the road to recovery. 

Water quality

The most common reason your Calathea’s leaves are turning brown on the edges could be due to your tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up. One way you can remedy this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving your water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.

 Increase the humidity

Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby. 

Incredibly dry soil

Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you’re not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry.

If you accidentally let your Calathea’s soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown and curl. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order. 

Here’s how to soak-water your Calathea:

Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot! Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min. Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Calathea slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.

Temperature

Make sure your plant is not in a drafty area or in the path of heating and cooling vents. Leaves will curl is the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant airflow.

Incredibly Dry Soil

Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you’re not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule: water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry.

If you accidentally let your Calathea’s soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown and curl. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order.

Here’s How to Soak Your Calathea:

Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer.

Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water.

Make sure the water isn’t hot!Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min.

Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?

If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Calathea slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.

When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly.

Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.

Water Quality

If the curling continues after you’ve regulated a watering schedule, another common reason your Calathea’s leaves are curling could be due to your tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride — all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up.

One way you can remedy this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving your water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.

Temperature

Make sure your plant is not in a drafty area or in the path of heating and cooling vents. Leaves will curl if the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant warm airflow.

Not Enough Humidity

Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.