When you start watering your new plant for the first time, it’s normal to feel nervous. This can be especially true with the beautiful Calathea. The last thing anyone wants to do is cause this enchanting plant undue stress!.
You can breathe a sigh of relief, though, because our Ultimate Guide has everything you need to figure out how to care for Calathea.
Calatheas, also known as prayer plants, are beautiful tropical houseplants known for their colorful foliage and unique movements. But keeping these divas happy can be tricky if you don’t water them properly. Learning how often to water your calathea is key to helping it thrive.
Overview on Calathea Watering
Calatheas prefer consistently moist, but not soggy soil. The most common mistake plant parents make is underwatering, allowing the soil to dry out too much between waterings. This causes the leaves to curl, brown, and crisp on the edges. Overwatering can also be an issue, leading to root rot. The sweet spot is watering frequently enough to keep the soil lightly moist, but not saturated.
As a general guideline, aim to water your calathea every 1-2 weeks. But the exact frequency will depend on various factors including:
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Lighting conditions – Calatheas in brighter light need more frequent watering. Those in lower light can go longer between waterings.
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Size of plant & pot – Larger, more established plants in bigger pots require less frequent watering than smaller, younger plants in smaller pots.
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Season – In warmer months with higher temperatures and longer daylight hours calatheas need more frequent watering. Reduce watering frequency in winter.
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Soil mix – Well-draining soil mixes designed for tropicals allow the soil to dry out faster than standard potting mixes. This affects watering frequency.
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Humidity – Calatheas prefer high humidity. In drier air, the soil moisture evaporates faster, meaning more frequent watering.
The best way to determine when your calathea needs water is to check the soil. There are a few simple techniques:
The Finger Test
This is the easiest way to gauge soil moisture. Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil. If the top layer feels dry, it’s time to water. If it still feels damp, hold off another day or two.
The Chopstick Test
Insert a wooden chopstick, skewer, or stick into the soil. If it comes out with damp soil sticking to it, don’t water yet. If it comes out clean, the soil is too dry and needs water.
Lifting the Pot
Pick up the pot to feel its weight. Plants need watering when the pot feels noticeably lighter than after you’ve just watered. With practice you’ll get a feel for when it’s time to water again.
Best Practices for Watering Calathea
Follow these tips for watering calathea correctly to keep them looking their best:
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Water early in the day to allow the leaves to dry fully before nighttime.
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Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot to fully saturate the soil.
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Use room temperature filtered or distilled water. Tap water may contain chemicals that burn calathea leaves.
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Empty any water that collects in the saucer so the plant doesn’t sit in standing water.
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Add pebbles or gravel to the saucer to raise the bottom of the pot above the water line.
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Mist calathea leaves occasionally to boost humidity between regular waterings.
Signs Your Calathea Needs Water
Don’t wait until your calathea shows signs of underwatering. It’s best to water proactively based on the soil moisture. But here are some signs that indicate your plant is thirsty:
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Drooping leaves – The leaves will start to curl down and inward if the soil gets too dry.
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Crispy brown edges – Brown, dead areas form around the leaf edges and tips when the plant is dehydrated.
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Loss of color – The leaves fade and look dull when calathea needs water. Their bright colors will return after watering.
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Wrinkled leaves – The leaves pucker and wrinkle when they lose moisture.
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Sticky or dry soil – Dry, hardened soil that sticks to your finger or watering can is a red flag.
Don’t panic if you notice these signs. Simply give your calathea a good, deep watering and it should perk up within a day or two. Just be sure to get your watering schedule back on track.
Signs of Overwatering
It is possible to overdo it with water for calatheas. Check for these indications you may be watering too much:
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Wet or soggy soil – Sticking your finger 1-2 inches into the soil should feel lightly moist, not sopping wet.
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Moldy smell – A bad odor from overly damp soil or rotting roots.
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Mushy stems or leaves – Plant tissue that feels soft and waterlogged. Healthy stems and leaves are firm.
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Yellowing leaves – If older leaves yellow and new growth looks healthy, overwatering could be the cause.
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Drooping – Drooping caused by overwatering looks like the whole plant is wilting. With underwatering, only the leaves droop.
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Few roots – When you pull the plant from the pot, fewer healthy white roots than expected indicates rot from overwatering.
You can save an overwatered calathea by watering less frequently, repotting in fresh dry soil, removing mushy roots, and moving it to a shadier spot until it recovers.
Factors That Affect Watering Frequency
Understanding what conditions cause your calathea to dry out faster or slower will help you dial in the ideal watering schedule. Here are some key factors:
Sunlight
Calatheas situated in bright, direct light need more frequent watering than those growing in low light. Their soil dries out faster in sunny conditions. Water about every 5-7 days for calatheas in medium to bright indirect light. Those in low light may only need water every 10-14 days.
Heat & Dry Air
High temperatures and low humidity cause soil to lose moisture faster. Mist calathea leaves and place the pot on a pebble tray to increase humidity. Water more often during summer heatwaves when the AC is blasting. Reduce watering frequency when temperatures cool.
Air Circulation
While calatheas like humid conditions, too much stagnant moisture around the leaves encourages pests and diseases. Provide good air circulation with a fan to allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Avoid drafty spots that can dry out your plant.
Plant Size
Younger, smaller calatheas in 4-6 inch pots will need more frequent watering than mature plants in 8-10 inch pots. Their soil holds less moisture and dries out faster. As your plant grows, you can gradually increase the time between waterings.
Soil Mixtures
A well-draining potting mix formulated for tropicals like calathea allows excess moisture to drain away while still retaining some. Standard potting soil stays overly soggy. Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage and increase time between watering.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing increases growth rate, causing calatheas to use up soil moisture faster. Water a little more frequently when regularly feeding your plant during the growing season. Reduce feeds in winter when light and growth slow down.
How Often to Water Calathea Based on Season
As a tropical plant, calathea grows actively in summer and needs more water at the peak of the growing season. Back off on watering frequency as light levels and temperatures drop in fall and winter. Here are general guidelines for each season:
Summer
- Long days and bright light
- Warm temperatures
- Peak growing season
- Water every 5-7 days
Spring & Fall
- Moderate daylight hours
- Warm to mild temperatures
- Slow to moderate growth
- Water every 7-10 days
Winter
- Short days and low light
- Cooler temperatures
- Low growth period
- Water every 10-14 days
These are just general timeframes that work for most calatheas in average home conditions. But always assess each plant individually based on the soil moisture, pot size, and factors like sunlight exposure in your specific environment.
With some attentive care, getting into a good watering routine tailored to your situation will help ensure your beautiful calatheas stay healthy and looking their best in every season.
How to water your Calathea
We understand that the lovely moss cover on your Calathea’s soil looks great as it is, but don’t be shy about lifting it! You can pat it back down, and it will still look beautiful. ).
Checking how dry the top one to two inches of soil are with your finger is a good way to figure out how much water your Calathea plant needs. Conditions can change anywhere: winter turns into spring, and heaters are turned up and then off completely as the seasons change. All of these things change how much water your plants need, so it may be better to go by feel than to just say “Once a week.”
Get your hands dirty with your plant. This will help you trust yourself as a plant parent and improve your green thumb.
Once or twice a week, probe your Calathea’s soil with your finger. If the top inch of soil feels like it is getting dry, go ahead and water your Calathea.
The Many Marvels of Misting
There’s so much to love about misting- and not only for those of us who can’t get enough of cute accessories!
Calatheas come from humid jungles, so they love being misted and do best when they get it done every few days.
If you want to mist your plants, you could use lukewarm water or even leave a bowl of water out overnight before using it. Allowing the water to rest will cause its harsh minerals to evaporate.
Another good thing about misting is that it lets you interact with your plant without worrying about overwatering it. This is by far the most common mistake plant parents make, and it can cause serious health problems for your plant, like the dreaded brown leaves that happen all too often.
An all-natural formula that you can add to your misting routine to give your plants extra nutrition and keep pests away through their leaves.
$28
We all know that plants drink through their roots, but did you know that those roots can also be used as straws to get your Calathea to drink more water?
You can hydrate your Calathea by allowing it to soak. Remove your Calathea from its ceramic pot, but keep it in its plastic nursery planter.
Then, place your Calathea in a bowl or sink filled with three to four inches of lukewarm water. Let the Calathea soak for about 45 minutes before testing its soil by touch. (By now, you know exactly what to look for!).
If the soil feels damp, your plant is ready to go. Let it drain all the way before putting it back in its ceramic pot.
How to Water & Care for Calatheas with Haley Smith
FAQ
How do you know if Calathea needs water?
How often should I water my indoor Calathea?
Do calatheas like to be misted?
Is it better to bottom water Calathea?
Do Calathea plants need a lot of water?
Calathea plants like their soil to stay moist, but not wet, and they like to be in moderately humid conditions. While I stayed with my aunt recently, I got to care for her calathea plants. I noticed that the frequency and amount of watering required for her calathea plants varied greatly!
How to grow Calatheas?
Here are some tips on how to grow and care for Calatheas: – **Light**: Calatheas prefer filtered light or shade.They’re used to growing beneath a canopy of trees on the jungle floor and therefore have
How often should you water a Calathea?
In general, expect to water the Calathea once a week during the summer and a little less during the winter. No matter what, however, you should always check how moist the soil is before you water the plant. If the top 2 inches feel dry, water the plant. If, however, the soil still feels moist, wait another day or two before checking again.
How do you care for a Calathea plant?
Always give your Calathea enough water that you can see it draining from the bottom of the pot. The quality of your water and your soil are also important factors. Rainwater or distilled water are the most appetizing drinks for a Calathea, while a potting mix with good drainage will help you hit the moisture level that your plant prefers.
