This will result in brown spots forming on the leaf where the water drop sat. Then use the right amount of fertilizer not too much or too little so you dont get brown spots again. They buzz around your plants (and eventually your own heads when the problem is severe), causing endless annoyance and damage to your houseplants too. Soil choice is also vital make sure it is amended with coconut coir or peat moss and perlite to improve drainage and prevent rotting in future. Calathea doesnt respond well to sudden changes in temperature or to temperatures below 55F (12C). Wiping down your Calathea plants leaves weekly is the best way to spot pests and early signs of disease. If your Calatheas leaves are fading to yellow or white, take a look at the problems weve listed above and see if any of them fit the bill. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through the most common problems you are likely to encounter with your Pilea. If youve encountered any problems with your Calathea, causing it to look a bit sad compared to when you first bought it, go through this list to find the cause and apply the relevant fix. Once a month or so, give it some liquid fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A nifty little trick to ensure you only water the plant when it needs it is to feel how dry or soggy the soil is before watering. Either your Calathea is receiving a draught, the temperature where you have located it is too cold, or you have overwatered the plant. For example, you might accidentally poke the side of a young leaf with your scissors as youre trimming away dead growth. High temperatures can also result in curling to prevent loss of moisture in the leaves, and cold drafts can cause the leaves to shrivel. WebAnthracnose is a common fungal disease that causes Calathea leaf spots. In many regions, tap water is hard, meaning it has high levels of magnesium, calcium, or other minerals. Look for bright yellow or orange spots on the leaves to know if You can place your Calathea near other plants to increase humidity or use a humidifier to keep the air moist. Low humidity, lack of light or transplant shock after repotting are other potential causes. When the root system is damaged or deprived of water, the parts of the plant that are farthest from their source of hydration run dry first. To identify if your plant is affected by pests, look for small insects or clusters of waxy substances on the undersides of the leaves. Finally, some yellowing on the lower parts of the plant is nothing to worry about. If you want to leave the plant where it is, misting the leaves will help. If youve left your plant in the same pot for 2 or 3 years, it might be root bound enough to hamper growth. There are approximately 150 species of Calathea described, many of which have been cultivated for their beautiful and exotic variegated foliage. If the brown spots are caused by watering the Calathea too much, you will need to immediately stop watering the plant and allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Ever since I was a little kid working in the garden with my mother and grandmother, I've loved helping green things grow. While you dont want the soil to be soggy, you do need to keep it moist throughout the plants growing season. If you must use tap water, let the water sit out for about 24 hours before watering the Calathea. This will give any chlorine in the water enough time to dissipate. All Rights Reserved, Identifying the Cause of Brown Spots on Calathea Leaves, Preventing Future Brown Spots on Calathea Plants, Why Are My Calathea Leaves Turning Yellow? While, again, you dont want the soil to be soggy, you can create a pebble tray by placing gravel or pebbles in a pot saucer, placing water in the saucer, and then sitting the pot that contains your Calathea on the pebbles or gravel. Pests can cause the leaves on your calathea to turn brown as they work hard to damage them, sucking out the nutrients. The most common culprit is severe sun scorch. Brown spots on Calathea leaves can be caused by environmental, pest, and disease-related issues. Do you have some problems with your Chinese Money Plant and aren't quite sure what to do? To prevent underwatering, consistently water your Calathea plant to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Once the stems have become soft, a large number of roots are likely rotting below the soil too. Provide a potting mix thats chunky and well-aerated, and water just enough to keep the soil around the roots mildly damp. A good general rule of thumb is to water the Calathea once a week during its active growing season and then reduce it to about once every 10 days during the winter season. This common problem has a number of reasons, and most of them are luckily easy to fix. They hate sitting in soggy soil which quickly leads to root rot underneath the soil. Proper care also involves being on the lookout for potential pests, diseases, and other problems before they get too bad. Calatheas need soil that is light and airy, allowing the water to drain through it. CAUSE: Spider mites are minuscule relatives of spiders with four pairs of legs, no antennae and sharp mouths that pierce plant cells and suck out the fluids, leaving behind yellow, orange or white speckles. To keep your Calathea majestica as healthy as possible, dont let the leaves stay wet, and use a well-draining soil mix. Then repot the Calathea in a clean, sterilized container with fresh soil. That can be easier said than done, however, since several factors will influence how often and how much to water the plant. The first step to solving the mystery is to identify the cause. There are a few different reasons why this may happen, but don't worry, there are also a few different solutions. Routine check-ups are a great way to ensure your Calathea is healthy and free of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. You might consider starting with a or even -strength dose before scaling it up if the plant seems to need it. You should never prune more than 1/4 of the plants leaves as the Calathea does need its leaves to absorb nutrients from the sun. The amount of chlorophyll in the leaves will be reduced, and the lighter areas of the leaves that create the patterns will become visible again. Be extra careful if you notice brown spots of any size .on leaves or browning closer to the stem. As mentioned before, Calatheas are very sensitive to overwatering. If you mist your Calatheas, use a fine droplet setting and try to avoid letting it sit in a sunbeam immediately afterward. Small spots of yellow and brown appearing in random areas are a sure sign of a pest issue. Take the time to inspect your plant for any signs of brown spots at least once a month. Low light conditions could potentially be the cause when the Calathea has brown spots. Jungle Calathea soil requirements. The Misto is a great addition to a home collection. Thankfully, once you have determined the actual cause, you can take the necessary steps to correct the issue. By watering at the base of the plant instead, you will help reduce the chance of splashing the pathogen-filled soil onto the Calatheas leaves. As weve already explained, Calathea leaves become brown, crispy, and brittle because the leafs tissues are drying out; the cells in their foliage need moisture to remain plump and flexible. If the room where your plant lives is so dim that you couldnt read a book there during the daytime, it probably needs more light. Please read our. .wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_359b0b-cd .kt-block-spacer{height:6px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_359b0b-cd .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:var(--global-palette2, #2B6CB0);width:100%;border-top-style:solid;}. If the leaves are yellowing, chances are the infestation is already big enough for the signature spider mite webbing to appear and that one is hard to miss. Adding a balanced fertilizer or supplementing with nutrients can help correct the deficiency and get your Calathea back on track. Its never a good idea to let your Calatheas roots dry out completely; these thirsty plants wilt and fade quickly. You can cut off the Calathea leaves with brown spots, but remember that over pruning can cause more harm than good. You may have to do this a few times to get all the excess minerals out of the soil. WebAglaonemas are native to Southeast Asia. East- or west-facing windows are usually the best spots for Calathea plants. If only one or two leaves are yellowing, dont sweat it especially if they seem to be the leaves that have been on your plant the longest. Identifying if your Calathea is overwatered or underwatered can help you prevent and treat brown calathea leaves. Keeping the Calathea out of direct sunlight at all times is the safest route to avoid potential problems. If you spot any of these signs, acting quickly and removing the pests is important to save the plant. (14 Solutions), How To Save a Dying Calathea Plant (11 Causes & Solutions), How To Make a Calathea Grow Taller and Faster (Improve Growth Rate), Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, Calathea plants need consistent watering to stay healthy. Calathea plants need consistent watering to stay healthy. It can grow up to 4-5 feet tall. These windows provide bright, indirect light that is perfect for Calatheas. As long as its only a couple of lower leaves and new ones continue to emerge, you can ignore the issue. As the water in the saucer evaporates, it increases the humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Check your Calatheas root ball for mushy, slimy, gray, or black spots. The colorful and patterned leaves of Calathea plants can be quite sensitive, depending on your chosen variety. Go to a garden store and buy a test kit to help you figure it out. WebWhen the lower leaves of your Calathea begin to turn yellow and/or other leaves begin to curl or develop spots, its a sign that the plant is receiving too little water. Plant cells are mostly made up of water, filling up space and allowing them to maintain their structure. By Madison Moulton Luckily, they look just as good as they feel, with a distinct crinkled shape and rich green and purple colouring. These sap-sucking pests are small but easy to identify by the white substance they use to protect themselves while feeding on foliage. Calathea jungle velvet adores well-drained, airy, and moist soil to grow. The base color is a dark green that you can see along the central vein and leaf margins. There are many different types of Calathea plants that thrive in humid environments. If root rot has set in, your plant needs immediate and drastic treatment. When it comes to plants, prevention is key. Probably the best way to keep brown spots on Calathea at bay is to ensure the plant is getting the proper care. Its normal for them to fade, wither, and drop off the plant after a while. The main culprit, again, is underwatering. Calatheas dont do well in direct sunlight, but they do need at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect sun every single day. To identify these deficiencies, you can purchase soil test kits at most garden stores. Calatheas are just plain difficult. Additionally, proper air circulation is vital if you mist your Calathea. Aglaonemas are often vibrant and colorful, with strikingly patterned leaves. If the soil is soggy, you know the plant is overwatered. This problem can also spread above the soil line, causing the stems to rot at the base. If you suspect one of these diseases is the culprit, look for yellow or brown lesions on the leaves. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Salt build-up from overfertilizing can lead to the same issue. 9 min read, 11 Reasons Your Peace Lily Has Brown Tips and How to Fix it, 8 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Aloe Vera Plants, 11 Reasons Your Fiddle Leaf Fig has Curling Leaves, 9 Reasons Your Aloe Vera is Drooping and Falling Over, How to Grow and Care For a Christmas Cactus, 8 Common Ghost Plant Problems and How to Fix Them, 11 Common Problems With Chinese Money Plants. Additionally, you should only prune the Calathea during the spring or summer when it is actively growing and make sure to water the plant thoroughly beforehand. You can also help reduce the chance of overfeeding the Calathea by reducing the amount of fertilizer you give the plant by 1/2 of its strength. The main reason for problems with color in Calatheas is sunlight specifically, too much of it. However, even thoroughly wiping away spider mites or thrips wont completely solve pest problems. 6. Keep the ambient humidity at 60% or higher if you want your Calatheas foliage to stay lush and green. Look in areas with stems and leaves close by where there is little airflow and you may notice them gathering there. In rare cases, pest infestation is the culprit behind the brown spots. Also, check out our list of large houseplants. are members of the plant family Marantaceae and are native to tropical America and Africa. No matter what, you will need to increase the amount of watering you give the plant, while also upping the humidity level. When a Calathea has brown spots, it could be because the temperature is too cold for this tropical plant. The issue of overwatering isnt something to fool around with, since it makes the roots soggy, which leads to root rot. This helps reduce the risk of spreading pests or diseases from one plant to another, which can cause brown spots on leaves. It could also signal that the air is too dry. To identify overwatering, look for yellow or wilted foliage and slimy, dense roots that give off a foul smell. Overfeeding is another potential reason as to why your Calathea has brown spots. 4. Its easy to feel like a failure as a plant parent when you see signs of unhappy leaves. Mild sun scorch can cause a Calatheas leaves to look washed-out even if theyre not burned badly enough to turn brown. Move your Calathea to a warmer location out of any draughts from doors or windows and away from registers and other sources of sudden temperature changes. Overwatering isnt just caused by hydrating it too much it can also occur if you grow the Calathea in soil that doesnt promote drainage. Calathea plants prefer a humid environment. If you want to confirm that underwatering is the cause of the brown edges, simply take a look at Calatheas soil. To identify if your plant is affected by pests, you should look for small insects or clusters of waxy substances on the undersides of the leaves. A stressed Calathea is more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Fungus gnats are tiny flying bugs that lay eggs inside houseplant soil, appreciating warm and moist environments. These attackers can be chased off by occasionally treating the plant with neem oil; see our article on how to use this natural pest repellent on Calatheas. Repot into a new pot with plenty of drainage holes. Its best to place your Calathea in a spot that receives plenty of natural light but is not exposed to direct sunlight. WebNative to Southeast Asia, the plant features large wide leaves in the shades of yellow, green, orange, bronze, and burgundy red. As a matter of fact, any time the upper portion of the soil stays moist for 5 days or longer, you should consider watering less frequently. If the temps are too cold, especially if they are under 60 degrees, brown spots can start to form on the plants foliage. Does your calathea plant look a bit unwell? Well identify the various problems that can afflict your Calatheas leaves, then talk about how to prevent them and restore your plant to health. This will leave behind a neat row of holes once the leaf matures and unfurls. Leave the soil to dry out completely or, if the problem is severe, repot into fresh soil to save the rotting roots. Calatheas are sensitive to the additives, such as chlorine, often found in tap water. . If the air in the room is extremely muggy, you can take steps to lower the humidity somewhat. If you give your plant more nutrition than it can use, the rest will hang around in the soil, potentially forming an obstacle to healthy root function. (And dont forget that your container must have a drainage hole!) Ensure to water regularly but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to fungal diseases and root rot. As with all pest problems, start by isolating the plant. Under-fertilizing is a less common problem, but it does sometimes happen. Calathea Misto is native to the tropical Americas. Wash off any visible bugs, making sure you check the undersides of the leaves where they like to hide out. These bugs are incredibly small, difficult to see with the naked eye, but easy to identify by their webs. Its soft pink stripes against You can, however, use them in conjunction with other treatment measures to help get rid of brown spots on Calathea. Once a leaf has developed brown spots, the spots are there to stay. For humidity above 40%, water the plant and wait for the leaves to return to normal. Its best to keep your Calathea in an area with bright light but away from direct sunlight. This can cause fungal diseases and nutrient deficiencies, leading to brown leaves. But there are some mistakes that many gardeners make when growing them both indoors and outdoors. If there are only a few leaves that have brown spots, you may be able to control the problem by pruning them off the plant. Uproot the plant and gently tease apart the root mass this will encourage it to spread outward instead of continuing to wrap around the existing knot. If it is well below 40%, improve conditions using a humidifier. Even through they are considered low maintenance, ghost plants can still encounter their share of problems. Spider mites Infestation. Not giving the Calathea enough water can also cause the leaves to develop brown spots. 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