Plant guide
カラテア
Watering rhythm
Every 3–5 days
Calatheas are tropical plants native to Central and South America, prized for their strikingly patterned and colorful foliage. One of their most charming traits is how their leaves rise up at night—it's genuinely fun to watch! They're quite adaptable to indoor living and relatively forgiving, making them a great choice for plant parents just starting out.
Calatheas thrive in bright, indirect light—keep them away from direct sun. They prefer temperatures between 18–28°C (64–82°F), so avoid anywhere below 15°C (59°F). They really do love humidity, ideally 60–80%, so regular misting is worth making part of your routine.
Light and temperature change a plant's metabolism, so the ideal cadence shifts with the seasons.
Spring
Every 3–5 days
Summer
Every 2–4 days
Autumn
Every 3–5 days
Winter
Every 5–8 days
Water thoroughly once the soil surface feels dry to the touch. That said, these plants are prone to root rot, so avoid letting the soil stay constantly wet. A good rule of thumb: stick your finger 2–3 cm into the soil, and water only when you feel no moisture. Scale back watering during winter.
Quick lookup from symptom to likely cause and action.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf tips turning brown and crispy | This usually signals low humidity or a buildup of mineral salts in the water. Calatheas are humidity lovers and struggle in dry air. | Mist the entire plant daily. You can also gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth periodically to rinse away any salt deposits—this works wonders. |
| Roots rotting, plant looking limp and mushy | Overwatering or poor drainage has gone on too long. While Calatheas need humidity, their roots definitely don't want to sit in wet soil. | Take the plant out of its pot and trim away any mushy, rotted roots. Repot it in fresh soil and ease off on watering. Make sure you're using well-draining potting mix going forward. |
| Leaves curling inward and losing color | Usually too much direct sun or temperatures that have dipped too low. | Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light and keep the room temperature above 18°C (64°F). It should perk up within a few days. |
| Spider mites or mealybugs appearing | Low humidity and poor air circulation create ideal conditions for these pests to thrive. | Rinse both sides of the leaves thoroughly with water and boost humidity with regular misting. If the problem persists, a diluted insecticidal soap spray can help. |
| No new leaves developing, growth has stalled | Likely a combination of insufficient light, cooler temperatures, or not enough nutrients. Winter naturally slows growth anyway. | Move it to a brighter location and aim to keep the room at 20°C (68°F) or warmer. From spring through fall, feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer once or twice a month will encourage new growth. |
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