Detailed Calathea Orbifolia Care
Whether you're looking to make sure your Calathea Orbifolia is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.
Known for their unique large silver striped leaves, Calathea Orbifolia is a great houseplant for those who want something a little different. Below you will find all the care information you need for your Calathea Orbifolia to thrive!
I prefer areas that aren’t too bright or shady. Finding a balance is important.
I don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after.
Please make sure the air isn’t too dry, otherwise, I won’t be a happy plant.
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it will retain the right amount of water.
Whether you're looking to make sure your Calathea Orbifolia is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.
Medium to low light levels are best for a Calathea Orbifolia. Make sure you don’t place it in any direct sunlight as it will scorch and burn the leaves which is unfortunately permanent. You can use a light meter to help you measure the sunlight levels in your home to make sure you’re placing your Calathea Orbifolia in the best place.
We recommend taking a little but often approach to watering your Calathea Orbifolia. They like moist, but not waterlogged soil so it is important to check the soil before watering. We often use our moisture meter to help know when our Calathea plants need a water which helps to prevent over or underwatering. You can pick up a really affordable moisture meter from Amazon here.
We recommend growing your Calathea Orbifolia in a bathroom or kitchen if the light levels are right in there as the natural lift in humidity caused by steam from the shower/cooking is perfect. You can also use a humidifier to keep a nice constant level near your Calathea.
Try to avoid putting your Calathea Orbifolia near a drafty window or AC vent as the cold temperatures can harm your plant’s health. Using a digital thermometer, we recommend checking the temperatures throughout the day/night as well as throughout the year to spot any extreme temperatures.
As with the majority of your other houseplants, only fertilize your Calathea Orbifolia in spring and summer. We recommend feeding once a month using a regular houseplant fertiliser. We tend to use this one from Miracle Gro.
A great thing about Calathea Orbifolia is that they are not toxic for your cats, dogs and children which means you don’t need to keep them out of reach or worry about them getting a little nibble.
The most successful way of propagating a Calathea Orbifolia is by dividing the mother plant into smaller, separate plants. As they will each have part of the main root system attached, you can plant directly into soil and don’t have to place in water first.
We've put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you'll need to take proper care of your Calathea Orbifolia.
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Brown tips on a Calathea Orbifolia can be a little difficult to diagnose because there are several causes. It may be due to underwatering, dry air or sensitivity to chemicals in the tap water. Check the moisture in the soil using a moisture meter and leave the water to sit for a day so the fluoride can evaporate.
A yellowish tinge on the edges of the leaves suggest a reaction to the fluoride and chlorine in your tap water. We recommend using rain water or alternatively leaving your tap water to sit for a day to the chemicals can evaporate.
Limp stems on a Calathea Orbifolia is a sign of overwatering. Check the moisture levels in the soil using a moisture meter and replace if waterlogged. Adjust your watering schedule going forward and the stems should start to recover.
As with drooping stems, drooping leaves are a sign of overwatering. Check the moisture levels in the soil using a moisture meter and replace it with fresh high-quality potting mix if waterlogged. Adjust your watering schedule going forward and the leaves should start to pick back up again.
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