Is My Calathea Normal? A Guide to Understanding Your Plant's Behavior

Decoding Calathea Behavior: Is Your Plant Happy?

Calatheas, with their striking foliage and captivating leaf movements, are beloved houseplants. However, these tropical beauties can sometimes be a bit… temperamental. Owners often find themselves pondering, “Is this normal?” when they observe changes in their Calathea. This article aims to demystify common Calathea behaviors and provide insights into what might be causing them.

Understanding Calathea’s Needs: A Quick Refresher

Before diving into specific behaviors, let’s quickly recap the key requirements for a thriving Calathea:

• Light: Calatheas prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while too little light can lead to faded colors and slow growth.
• Water: Consistent moisture is crucial, but they don’t like to sit in soggy soil. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Humidity: These plants thrive in humid environments. Aim for at least 60% humidity. This can be achieved through humidifiers, pebble trays, or by grouping plants together.
• Temperature: They prefer temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid placing them near drafts or heat vents.
• Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is often recommended.

Common Calathea Concerns and What They Mean

Now, let’s explore some common issues and decipher what they might be telling you about your Calathea.

1. Curling Leaves

• What it looks like: Leaves that roll inward, sometimes tightly, like they’re trying to hide.
• Possible causes:
  • Underwatering: This is one of the most frequent culprits. The plant is trying to conserve moisture.
  • Low Humidity: Dry air can also lead to leaf curling as the plant struggles to retain water.
  • Direct Sunlight: Though less common than the other two, intense light can also cause stress.
• What to do: Check the soil moisture. If it’s dry, give the plant a thorough watering. Increase humidity by using a humidifier, pebble tray, or moving the plant to a more humid location (like a bathroom). Ensure the plant isn’t receiving direct sunlight. If leaf curling is a new symptom, consider also repotting your calathea to check if it’s root bound.

2. Yellowing Leaves

• What it looks like: Leaves turning yellow, sometimes starting at the edges or tips.
• Possible causes:
  • Overwatering: Yellowing is a common sign of soggy soil and root rot. The roots are unable to function properly and the plant can’t absorb the nutrients it needs, so the leaves start yellowing.
  • Underwatering: Though less common with yellowing than curling, severe underwatering can also cause leaves to turn yellow.
  • Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients in the soil, particularly nitrogen or magnesium, can lead to yellowing.
  • Age: Older leaves naturally turn yellow and fall off.
• What to do: Check the soil moisture. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Ensure the pot has proper drainage. Consider repotting into fresh soil with balanced nutrients. Remove yellowed leaves to redirect the plant’s energy. If you recently changed watering schedule and the soil is not water logged, a fertilizer supplement might be beneficial. This is especially true if yellowing is widespread, or if it starts at the bottom and moves upwards.

3. Brown Leaf Tips or Edges

• What it looks like: Brown, crispy edges or tips of leaves.
• Possible causes:
  • Low Humidity: This is a very common problem with Calatheas. Dry air causes the leaf edges to dry out and turn brown.
  • Water Quality: Tap water often contains minerals and chemicals (like chlorine or fluoride) that can build up in the soil and harm the plant. Consider using filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water.
  • Underwatering: Though less common than low humidity, underwatering can also lead to browning leaf tips.
• What to do: Increase humidity, use filtered water, and make sure you’re not underwatering. Consider misting your plant, though this is less effective than a humidifier. If the problem is new, evaluate your watering technique and consider a soil change.

4. Crispy Leaves

• What it looks like: Leaves that become dry, brittle, and crack easily.
• Possible causes:
  • Low Humidity: This is the most likely culprit. Crispy leaves indicate severe dehydration.
  • Underwatering: The plant hasn’t been receiving enough water for an extended period.
  • Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can also dry out the leaves.
• What to do: Immediately address the humidity issue. Water the plant thoroughly, and consider moving the plant to a shadier spot. Severely affected leaves may not recover. If most of the leaves are crispy, consider moving it into a more humid environment and try pruning the worst leaves to promote new growth.

5. Drooping Leaves

• What it looks like: Leaves that hang down limply, appearing sad or wilted.
• Possible causes:
  • Underwatering: Drooping is a classic sign of dehydration.
  • Overwatering: Ironically, overwatering can also cause drooping as the roots are unable to function properly.
  • Temperature Stress: Exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can cause drooping.
• What to do: Check the soil moisture. Water if dry, and allow the soil to dry out if overwatered. Adjust your watering schedule and consider the light exposure. If drooping persists, check the roots for signs of rot.

6. Lack of Leaf Movement

• What it looks like: Calatheas are known for their “prayer plant” movements, where the leaves fold up at night and open up during the day. If your plant isn’t doing this, something might be off.
• Possible causes:
  • Stress: The plant is under stress due to improper environmental conditions (light, water, humidity, temperature). A stressful environment might mean that the plant doesn’t feel comfortable enough to move.
  • Acclimation: Young plants or plants that have recently been moved may take some time to adjust to their new environment. Consider giving the plant more time.
• What to do: Assess the plant’s environment and adjust accordingly. Make sure light, water, and humidity are correct. Give the plant time to acclimate. If this is a new plant, avoid moving it too often, because this can affect its ability to acclimate. This is often the case with plants purchased online.

7. Pests

• What it looks like: Small insects, webbing, or other signs of infestation on the leaves or stems. The leaves may have discolored patches or spots.
• Possible causes:
  • Common pests: Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale are common Calathea pests.
• What to do: Isolate the affected plant immediately to prevent the spread of pests. Identify the pest and treat with an appropriate insecticide or insecticidal soap. Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to remove pests and debris. Regularly inspect your plant for signs of infestation. If you have several plants in the same area, isolate the affected plant to prevent spread of pests.

Troubleshooting Your Calathea: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Observe: Take a close look at your plant. What specific symptoms are you seeing? Note the location of the affected leaves (e.g., tips, edges, all over). Take a photograph if possible. If this is a new symptom, compare with pictures from when the plant was healthy.
2. Assess Environment: Check the light, water, humidity, and temperature. Are these conditions ideal for a Calathea?
3. Check Soil: Is the soil dry or wet? Does the pot have good drainage?
4. Investigate Further: Look for signs of pests or diseases. Inspect the undersides of the leaves, stems, and soil.
5. Adjust and Monitor: Make changes to the plant’s care routine based on your observations. Monitor the plant closely for improvements or further decline. Be patient! It may take some time for your Calathea to recover. The plant’s response will also help you determine if your solution is successful or if you need to adjust care further.
6. Consider Repotting: Sometimes, repotting to inspect the roots or provide fresh soil is necessary. Repotting is best done during the growing season (spring/summer).

The Patience and Reward of Calathea Care

Caring for a Calathea can sometimes feel like a journey of trial and error. These plants can be sensitive to changes in their environment, but the rewards of their striking beauty and unique behaviors are well worth the effort. By understanding their needs and recognizing the signs of distress, you can keep your Calathea thriving and enjoying its captivating charm for years to come.