A tropical plant, Calathea orbifolia is often cultivated indoors. The large, showy decorative leaves of calatheas are the reason why they are such a common houseplant. Large, silvery-green leaves with prominent black veins characterize Calathea orbifolia plants. There are a few care essentials to help the plant thrive, despite the fact that this calathea species grows well at home.
How to care for Calathea orbifolia: Calathea orbifolia thrives in medium indirect light, high humidity, and temperatures of 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C), which it grows indoors. Water the top 1″ to 2″ (2.5 – 5 cm) of soil when the surface dries to keep it moist. During the growing season, fertilize monthly.
The Calathea orbifolia The family Marantaceae contains this flowering plant. Tropical woods in Central and South America, as well as Asia and Africa, are home to the perennial plants. Calatheas grow on the forest floor and thrive in shaded, warm, humid conditions outdoors.
The Calathea orbifolia Indoors, it has a decent development rate. The strange houseplant may grow to be 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall over time. The brilliant leaves may grow to be up to 1 foot (30 cm) broad.
Since they raise their leaves at night, calatheas are sometimes referred to as prayer plants. When the calathea leaves fold up at the base of the stalk in the evening, they appear to be folding their leaves upward in prayer. Nyctinasty is the term used to describe this process.
Calathea orbifolia, or prayer plants, are stunning indoor tropical plants with spectacular leaves. The best method to care for a Calathea orbifolia indoors is described in this article. Learn how to fix a variety of problems connected with Calathea’s cultivation at the conclusion of the article.
Calathea Orbifolia Care Guide
The most rigorous care requirements for Calathea orbifolia are adequate indirect light, regular watering, and well-draining soil, which are all classed botanically as Goeppertia orbifolia. Your calathea houseplant will thrive, not just survive, if you do this correctly.
Calathea Orbifolia Light Requirements
Protect your Calathea orbifolia from strong light by growing it in medium to low indirect light. If you can read without strain, the light is adequate. The leaves will begin to fade, and they may even wither and die, if the light is too bright. While these calathea plants can survive in low light, they are not considered dark-dwelling plants.
They’ll thrive in a sunny east-facing window or on a north-facing windowsill. Keep a safe distance from the window in a shaded corner in rooms that face south and west. The Calathea Medallion and Calathea Ornata, for example, prefer bright, indirect light.
The Best Type of Potting Soil for Calathea Orbifolia
When grown in rich potting soil with excellent drainage, Calathea orbifolia thrives. The soil should stay moist, but never get soggy. Two parts potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark make the finest ingredients for a calathea potting mix. Perlite offers drainage while holding moisture.
The fact that peat-based soil includes important nutrients for calathas to develop is one advantage of employing it. Chemical fertilizers are preferable to this kind of naturally rich growing medium. Peat, on the other hand, can get compacted over time, so it’s always a good idea to check for drainage.
For maximizing drainage, perlite or pumice are preferable to vermiculite. Vermiculite tends to retain too much moisture, despite the fact that it is a natural product. Roots will rot if they become too wet or waterlogged in the soil.
How to Water Calathea Orbifolia
Only when the top layer of soil is dried out can Water Calathea orbifolia be found. You never overwater your plant when you use this watering method for houseplants. Press the soil to determine when to water your orbifolia. Watering should be postponed until the soil is mostly dry, as evidenced by hints of moisture.
Orbifolia plant tolerates dryness better than overwatering, despite the fact that it is not a drought-tolerant indoor plant. Watering the plant once a week or more during the summer is possible. Watering Calathea orbifolia on a regular basis is a common mistake when it comes to caring for the plant. watering the plant too frequently is a common outcome of this habit. As a result, always consider soil moisture when watering.
Drench the earth until water drains from the pot’s base holes when watering your Calathea orbifolia. Before putting the pot back on the drip tray, allow all of the excess water to drain completely. To confirm that the pot isn’t sitting in water, check the saucer from time to time.
Remember to water Calathea orbifolia plants more often in the summer than in the winter. Moisture evaporates faster in the summer than it does in the winter. You may, however, have to spray the leaves more often in the winter than you would in the summer. Central heating is often used to dry out Calatheas, who prefer high humidity.
Calathea Orbifolia Temperature Needs
Calathea orbifolia houseplants thrive in warm rooms with average room temperatures. Your tropical plant will thrive if the temperature remains consistent between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C). The leaves will begin to curl if the temperature is too high. The huge glossy green leaves will sag if the temperature is too low.
In the summer and winter, caring for calatheas properly is a challenge. Calatheas are susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, keep them away from cold drafts, such as air-conditioner vents or open windows. Make sure that the orbifolia plant pot is well out of reach of radiators throughout the winter.
In the summer, Calathea orbifolia plants may be grown in containers. The potted tropical plant can thrive in a shaded area in your backyard as long as the temperature remains above 60°F. Remember to water your plant only when the top layer of soil has dried out, unless you want it to be burnt by direct sunlight.
How Much Humidity Does Calathea Orbifolia Need?
Calatheas, such as Calathea orbifolia, prefer humid tropical environments and require at least 50% humidity. Calatheas are often found in areas with excessively dry air. To keep your orbifolia plant happy, mist the leaves with water, place them on a pebble water tray, or utilize a room humidifier.
A well-lit bathroom or kitchen is ideal for calatheas. The moist environment and filtered sunlight found in many kitchens and bathrooms are perfect for these excellent shower plants. When it comes to proper humidity for calatheas, here are a few tips:
- Misting—Only use a fine mist of filtered or distilled tap water to wet the big lustrous leaves. Every other morning, by making a fine mist over the large leaves, humidify your plants to get the best results.
- Wipe the leaves—Wipe the leaves with a moist cloth once a week. This approach not only conserves moisture but also cleans the gorgeous Calathea orbifolia leaves from dust.
- Pebble tray—Add water halfway up the stones in a large deep dish, then fill it with little stones. When the water evaporates, put the calathea pot on the pebbles to get moisture.
- Room humidifier—A humidifier can keep the humidity levels in your home just right if you have a lot of tropical house plants.
- Group plants together—Transpiring is the process of giving off moisture by all plants. Your plants may benefit from being brought together to create a wet environment.
Fertilizing Calathea Orbifolia for Best Growth
Calathea plants don’t need a lot of care and feeding. Light monthly fertilization throughout the growing season will meet your orbifolia plant’s mineral and nutrient needs. Dilute the organic houseplant feeding to one-quarter strength using water. During the autumn and winter, stop feeding.
For houseplants, Calathea orbifolia prefers a balanced, consistent fertilizer. You should remember to flush the soil on a regular basis, though. The delicate orbifolia roots may be scorched if there is too much fertilizer in the soil. By giving the soil a good drenching after feeding, you avoid an accumulation of excess minerals.
Calathea Orbifolia Growth Rate
Orbifolia plants have a medium growth rate when they are grown in the right conditions. Calathea should grow in bright indirect light and be watered just enough to keep the soil moist for maximum development. Most Calathea orbifolia plants reach a height of around 2 feet (0.6 meters), although some may reach up to 3 feet (0.9 meters).
The leaves are about 30 cm broad and have a lustrous, glossy appearance. These large houseplant leaves are ideal for low-light situations because they are excellent at capturing light. The plant’s growth rate, on the other hand, will drastically slow in dim light.
How to Prune Calathea Orbifolia
Pruning is not required for Calathea orbifolia plants. The bushy foliage is made up of single-leaved stems. As a result, calatheas must be pruned only to remove dead foliage and boost the plant’s appearance. The pruning orbifolia plant can also be used to eliminate yellowing leaves.
Calathea Orbifolia Propagation
It’s difficult to grow Calathea orbifolia plants inside. Cuttings or root division of Calathea are notoriously difficult and rarely result in success. Rhizome division is usually the simplest method of calathea propagation. When disturbed, orbifolia plants react badly.
The plant may perish if you do not divide the roots correctly. When a healthy Calathea orbifolia is growing vigorously in the spring, it’s the optimal time to propagate it.
The propagation technique for calathea orbifolia is as follows:
- Remove the dirt from the roots by gently extracting the root ball from the pot.
- Using a sterile blade, slice a tuber with at least one stem and leaf.
- Potting media is required for repotting.
- Every day, mist the new plants in a warm and bright area.
Repotting a Calathea Orbifolia
Every two years, you should repot your orbifolia. The Calathea orbifolia prefers not to be repotted, but it thrives if its roots are confined. Refresh potting soil, check roots for signs of rot, and move the calathea plants to a bigger container by repotting them. It’s critical to keep the roots of a Calathea plant undisturbed while repotting.
Repotting an orbifolia is done in this way:
- Pick a pot that’s around the same size as the one you have now.
- Remove the root ball, and inspect the roots for brown and mushy roots.
- Fill the new container with calathea potting soil halfway and place the plant in it.
- Then slowly fill in the remaining soil around the rest of the area.
- Put the orbifolia in a warm, shaded location and thoroughly water it.
Calathea Orbifolia Flowers
At the ends of its branches, Calathea orbifolia blooms with thin white clusters. The flowers are made up small petals that form a star. Plants that are sparsely growing make up the flower head. In Orbifolia, indoor blossoming is unusual. The most prevalent reason why people choose to cultivate these Calathea species is their overgrown, dramatic silvery-green leaves with black vein patterns.
Pests and Diseases Affecting Calathea Orbifolia Care
These calatheas are vulnerable to insect infestations and fungus infections because of their humid, damp growing circumstances. The plant’s development might be harmed by powdery mildew, white soil mold, or leaf spot. Mealybugs, thrips, aphids, and whitefly are just a few of the common plant pests that may harm the plant.
Fungal disease can be avoided by using proper watering techniques. When 1″ to 2″ (2.5 – 5 cm) of top soil is dry, this is another reason to always water the plant. Calathea is also susceptible to fungal root rot in cold, humid environments. Every time you water your plants, double-check for signs of indoor plant pests. The following are some indicators to watch for:
- Mealybugs—On stems and under leaves, these sap-sucking pests appear like little pieces of white candy floss.
- Aphids—Look for tiny, pear-shaped creatures on stems and leaves. There could be sticky honeydew on the plant, and the leaves might seem wilted and distorted.
- Thrips—It’s difficult to see these houseplant pests. They’re tiny flying insects that serve as dark slivers on the underside of plant leaves.
If you believe that you have an infestation, read this article on how to get rid of houseplant pests naturally.
Calathea Orbifolia Toxicity
Orbifolia plants, according to the ASPCA, are safe for cats, dogs, and other domestic pets.
FAQs About Calathea Orbifolia Care
Houseplant owners may find it difficult to care for Calathea orbifolia. To avoid common care problems, it’s critical to provide ideal growing conditions. So, keep reading to learn what to do if your calathea is drooping and the leaves are discolored.
Why are brown leaf edges appearing on my Calathea orbifolia?
Brown Calathea orbifolia leaves are most frequently due to high humidity and underwatering. On the large green leaves, you might notice brown crispy edges or brown patches. Maintain frequent misting and watering the plant when the soil has mostly dried to cope with issues with brown calathea leaves.
Thrip infestations are another reason for unsightly brown patches on calathea leaves. Remove the pests and trim the damaged leaves before you can prune.
Why do Calathea Orbifolia leaves turn yellow?
Inadequate watering is often indicated by yellow calathea leaves. Temperature fluctuations may be to blame if you are providing the calathea the appropriate quantity of water. To avoid yellowing leaves, keep the tropical indoor plant away from drafts or radiators.
Why are Calathea Orbifolia leaves curling?
Calathea orbifolia leaves may curl due to insufficient moisture or chilly temperatures. The leaves may bend and form tubes if the plant is stressed by cold, dry air. Move to a warmer, shaded area and mist frequently in order to solve the curling leaf problem.
Why Calathea Orbifolia leaves have started drooping?
Calathea orbifolia’s drooping leaves can be a indication that the plant is thirsty, as they are with most houseplants. Within 2 inches (5 cm) of the surface, check the soil for dryness. Give the orbifolia plant a complete watering to help it recover if the potting mix is dry.
Whenever the top layer of soil is dry, you’ll have water. Root rot is another problem that may cause leaves to droop. Roots become mushy and useless when potting soil is excessively wet and soggy. Repotting the plant in a sterile, moist potting medium, and trimming away any dead roots, would produce the best result.
Why are my Calathea Orbifolia leaves wilting after repotting?
Repotting Calathea orbifolia indoor plants causes them to panic. Leaves often wilt after being transferred to a new container. The greatest strategy to resolve this issue is to put the plant in a bright, humid environment. Don’t fertilize, trim, or repot until the plant appears to be in better shape.
How to revive a dying Calathea Orbifolia?
You must find the underlying cause if your calathea appears to be dying. Next, make sure the potting material isn’t too wet or dry. Carefully inspect the soil beneath the leaves for signs of pests and treat the infestation if necessary.