I picked up this calathea only 2 days ago and now it’s sad! I don’t think it needs water? Only about top 1 inch soil is dry. No bug infestation
Photo 1 – shows current condition
Photo 2 – first purchased
Photo 3 – shows window/plant placement. Across from large SW windows
emilyethel
They’re called prayer plants because they follow the sun and the movement looks they’re praying. Yours looks like the leaves are facing the sun and it’s in good shape. They usually stand up straight at night.
ffsthisisfake
Just needs time to acclimate, they’re dramatic. However, I don’t think it’s going to get enough light there, they still need bright light, just indirect. But wait and see how it does.
eggjacket
I don’t think that’s enough light. I would move it over to where you have the other plant.
disco-vorcha
Calatheas are little divas. I think yours is probably just settling in still. That said, if the top inch of soil is dry, it could probably do with some water. Calatheas don’t like to completely dry out; they are tropical, after all!
How wet is the soil further than one inch? I see it’s still in the nursery pot so there is drainage, but if the soil is holding on to too much water that’s also not great. Calatheas also don’t like to be waterlogged. If it’s retaining too much water, you might want to repot with a soil mix that will let the excess water drain but stay damp. I use a mixture of 1 part basic potting soil, 1 part succulent soil, and 1 part orchid soil, which I get from a local plant shop that does its own blends. You’re looking for something with coco coir and larger chunks like perlite. Putting a few larger rocks in the bottom of the pot can help out as well.
How’s the humidity? Calatheas need at least 50-60% humidity, and misting won’t help. Many environments will need humidifiers to maintain this, and especially if you use a/c.
You might want to move her closer to the window, as well. Maybe to the shelf with your other plant? The proximity will also help them both have enough humidity.
I will also say that while calatheas are cat-safe, cats are not calathea-safe. That is, if yours is anything like mine, it may find that calatheas are an irresistible and delectable treat. Calatheas, however, do not appreciate being chewed on (understandable), and will tolerate much less of it than some other houseplants.
Infernalsummer
It’s lowering the leaves fully to try to get more light
TrademarkHomy
Could very well just be adjusting. That does seem like a somewhat big pot for that size calathea to me, but if it’s been fine in there so far I’m guessing that’s not going to suddenly cause damage in 2 days.
Personally I’d do a thorough inspection to rule out the following:
– is the soil properly damp underneath the top inch? If that’s bone dry and the rest very alyghtky damp, more moisture coins be necessary Personally I’d water again if the top 1-2 inches are dry, but that’s in porous pots with a mix with a lot of drainage. I think it’s unlikely this one is already very thirsty, but check.
– pests, you did say you didn’t find any, sometimes they are very hard to spot though. Check for any weird spots or damage on the leaves just in case.
– yellowing or crispy leaves?
If all of those are good, it’s likely just getting used to being in a new environment. It might want more light that far from the window, but if it’s a south facing room it might be okay. In any case, as long as this is the only thing I’d stick with caring for it as normal while continuing to monitor closely. At some point you’ll probably want to repot it to make keep it thriving (and it might throw a tantrum for a bit again) but it’s best to let it acclimatise a little bit first.
7 Comments
I picked up this calathea only 2 days ago and now it’s sad! I don’t think it needs water? Only about top 1 inch soil is dry. No bug infestation
Photo 1 – shows current condition
Photo 2 – first purchased
Photo 3 – shows window/plant placement. Across from large SW windows
They’re called prayer plants because they follow the sun and the movement looks they’re praying. Yours looks like the leaves are facing the sun and it’s in good shape. They usually stand up straight at night.
Just needs time to acclimate, they’re dramatic. However, I don’t think it’s going to get enough light there, they still need bright light, just indirect. But wait and see how it does.
I don’t think that’s enough light. I would move it over to where you have the other plant.
Calatheas are little divas. I think yours is probably just settling in still. That said, if the top inch of soil is dry, it could probably do with some water. Calatheas don’t like to completely dry out; they are tropical, after all!
How wet is the soil further than one inch? I see it’s still in the nursery pot so there is drainage, but if the soil is holding on to too much water that’s also not great. Calatheas also don’t like to be waterlogged. If it’s retaining too much water, you might want to repot with a soil mix that will let the excess water drain but stay damp. I use a mixture of 1 part basic potting soil, 1 part succulent soil, and 1 part orchid soil, which I get from a local plant shop that does its own blends. You’re looking for something with coco coir and larger chunks like perlite. Putting a few larger rocks in the bottom of the pot can help out as well.
How’s the humidity? Calatheas need at least 50-60% humidity, and misting won’t help. Many environments will need humidifiers to maintain this, and especially if you use a/c.
You might want to move her closer to the window, as well. Maybe to the shelf with your other plant? The proximity will also help them both have enough humidity.
I will also say that while calatheas are cat-safe, cats are not calathea-safe. That is, if yours is anything like mine, it may find that calatheas are an irresistible and delectable treat. Calatheas, however, do not appreciate being chewed on (understandable), and will tolerate much less of it than some other houseplants.
It’s lowering the leaves fully to try to get more light
Could very well just be adjusting. That does seem like a somewhat big pot for that size calathea to me, but if it’s been fine in there so far I’m guessing that’s not going to suddenly cause damage in 2 days.
Personally I’d do a thorough inspection to rule out the following:
– is the soil properly damp underneath the top inch? If that’s bone dry and the rest very alyghtky damp, more moisture coins be necessary Personally I’d water again if the top 1-2 inches are dry, but that’s in porous pots with a mix with a lot of drainage. I think it’s unlikely this one is already very thirsty, but check.
– pests, you did say you didn’t find any, sometimes they are very hard to spot though. Check for any weird spots or damage on the leaves just in case.
– yellowing or crispy leaves?
If all of those are good, it’s likely just getting used to being in a new environment. It might want more light that far from the window, but if it’s a south facing room it might be okay. In any case, as long as this is the only thing I’d stick with caring for it as normal while continuing to monitor closely. At some point you’ll probably want to repot it to make keep it thriving (and it might throw a tantrum for a bit again) but it’s best to let it acclimatise a little bit first.