Calathea orbifolia care: watering, light and repotting
Also called calathea, prayer plant · Goeppertia orbifolia · Marantaceae family
7 d in winter
How often to water the calathea orbifolia?
Allow about 4 days between waterings in spring and summer, and 7 days in autumn and winter, when growth slows down. These rhythms apply to a room with its favourite light: in a darker room the plant drinks less; in a brighter one, it drinks more.
Demanding: soil always slightly moist, soft water, humid air. Ideal in a bright bathroom.
Misting every 2 days helps keep the air humid around its leaves, especially in winter when central heating dries the house out.
What light does it need?
The calathea orbifolia is happy in a dim room, away from windows or facing north. It grows more slowly there, but copes well; above all, avoid direct sun, which scorches the leaves.
Repotting and fertiliser
Repot every 2 years, ideally in April, into a pot only slightly bigger than the last one. As for fertiliser, from April to September, feeding every 30 days is enough; the rest of the year, let it rest.
Adult size: 2–3 ft (60 cm–1 m).
Safe for cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.
Common problems
Crispy leaf edges
Cause: Dry air or hard water. What to do: Mist often and stand it on a tray of damp pebbles.
Curling leaves
Cause: Thirst. What to do: Water as soon as the surface dries.
These are guidelines for an indoor plant in a temperate climate. Trust the soil too: a finger pushed an inch into it will tell you whether it's thirsty.