Red Calathea Plant – A Comprehensive Guide to Care

Red Calatheares, like all Calatheares, have attractive foliage and bright colours. Commonly known as prayer plant because of their foliage movements, they are a tropical species that can turn indoor and office space into exotic paradise. In this article, we will take a look into everything about the Red Calathea, like its care, propagation and how it will contribute to your home or office.

 

Understanding the Red Calathea: A Botanical Overview

The Red Calathea (Marantaceae) is related to the pied-de-mouton (‘lamb’s foot’) that springs from the French-speaking part of the globe and originates in the tropical rainforests of South America, specifically Brazil. Its genus name, Calathea, is noted for its many species, totalling more than 300, each with their own special pattern or colour. Red and pink dots swirled across the lower, deep-green plane of the Red Calathea.

Calathea plants, commonly known as ‘prayer plants’, get their name from their diurnal movement – in the light they open broadly like an attentive listener, and fold up at night in an expression of prayer. As a visual spectacle alone this is remarkable but, more than this, it reflects the plant’s physiological state and the environmental conditions of its growth.

The Appeal of the Red Calathea: Why Choose This Plant?

1. Aesthetic Value

One reason why people grow indoor gardens is because they wish to incorporate live plants into their own home to beautify themselves. The most beautiful plant is Red Calathea. Can you imagine how beautiful this plant is? The flowers of the Calatheas come in the fun bright colours such as burgundy, pink, and green that belong in the red part of the colour spectrum. Its lovely patterns of veins and concentric form is like the great little brush stroke of Van Gogh. The Red Calathea can be will fitted into the interior decoration of living room, bedroom, or office, and also a piece of living art in your home.

2. Air Purification

Aside from its aesthetic significance, the Red Calathea contributes to make the environment a healthier one for its owners: it is an air-purifying plant, like many other indoor plants that remove common toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene for us. Better air-quality contributes to increase well-being. This plant is a great choice for homes and, since a remarkable number of people worldwide now live in urban areas, where our breathing air often contains a high concentration of air pollutants.

3. Low Maintenance

As exotic as it seems, the Red Calathea is easier to maintain than some of its more arid counterparts. While it certainly has very specific needs – it’s not a plant you can just leave unattended for a month – it is fairly tolerant overall, and can thrive indoors with just a little bit of care. It’s a good plant for a beginner, though experienced plant parents love them too.

Essential Care Tips for Red Calathea

Every Red Calathea deserves the greatest care in order to become a beautiful and lush plant. Here are some tips on how to ensure your Red Calathea can grow to its full potential.

1. Light Requirements

Then you might want to buy a Red Calathea, which loves low to medium indirect light. Avoid putting your Calathea in direct sun, as it will cause the plant to lose colour and eventually bleach the leaves. If you can, situate your Calathea in a north or east-facing window where it can get some filtered light. If you find yourself lacking in natural light, you can use a grow light.

2. Watering

Small red calatheaHydration is the most essential aspect of taking care of your red calathea, since it likes its soil kept constantly moist but dislikes root rot (which may be caused by watering in excess). To make sure your plant is well hydrated, water it again only when the top inch or so of the soil feels dry. In spring and summer during the growing season, you might need to water a bit more frequently, and in fall and winter, when your plant is entered a dormant period, water it less often.

3. Humidity

Very humidity-loving, this is a tropical plant that prefers humidity levels of 60 per cent or higher; if your home has low humidity, especially in the winter, consider placing a humidifier nearby, or put the plant on a tray of water and pebbles to create more humidity around the plant. Misting the plant often will help keep the leaves adequately moist.

4. Temperature

For this plant, optimum temperatures should be kept near 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Do not put the plant near drafty windows, blasting air-conditioners or portable heaters, due to the sudden changes in temperature that can cause the plant to curl or wilt.

5. Soil and Potting

A well-draining (but not dry) peat-based potting mix is ideal. You can blend your own potting soil with perlite and peat moss to give the soil the right drainage without being too dry. Repot every two years to refresh the soil and provide extra room for the plant to grow.

6. Fertilization

While in growth, feed a regular, balanced, water-soluble liquid fertiliser (diluted to half strength) every four weeks. Escalaea Red Calathea © Longfield GardensIn the fall and winter, drop back to once every two months.

7. Pruning and Maintenance

Red Calathea usually don’t require pruning but you can remove dead, dying, or yellowing leaves when required, as well as do a slight rebalancing of leaves to keep the plant looking its best. Check the underside of the leaves on a regular basis for pests, such as spider mites and mealybugs. Both of these pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil, but they must be detected early.

Common Issues and How to Address Them

You may still have some problems with your Red Calathea, even with the best care. Here’s how to resolve common issues.

1. Leaf Curling

If your Red Calathea is curling because it is in a dry room, too dry, or too cold, adjust the environment and the curling should go away. Increasing humidity and watering on a regular schedule generally fix this problem.

2. Brown Leaf Edges

Brown leaf edges are often not a big thing and may be partly due to low humidity, or – in some cases – fluoride in the water. To avoid the latter, irrigate with rainwater or distilled water. To increase humidity, put artificial humidity around the plant.

3. Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves could mean that you’re overwatering and/or the plant is getting too much water and not a pot with drainage soil isn’t sopping wet. If it is, repot the plant into dry, well-draining potting mix.

4. Pests

Spider mites and mealybugs are common insect pests for Red Calathea plants. Check your plant from time to time and, if your plant is affected, separate it from your other plants and treat it as appropriate with an insecticide. Maintaining a humid environment will keep pests from attacking your Calathea. Pests thrive on dry environments.

Propagating the Red Calathea

I propagate Red Calathea plants regularly and the easiness can’t be beat. Repotting is the best time to divide your plants, and that should be done in the spring. Here is a simple step-by-step to propagate:

Prepare the Tools: Select a good spot to plant it – a large, recent planting site. Pick a bright location with plenty of natural sunlight. Have all of your gardening tools ready to go: clean, sharp pruning shears or a knife; even a hose. Get some new pots and fresh mix to cover the roots with.

Plant Removal: Remove the plant from the pot and shake off any excess soil to reveal the root system.

Cut Loose the Plant: Using the knife, cut through rhizome and roots at a deep angle to slice off a section of the plant complete with at least one stem and a few roots.

Repot the Divisions: Put each division in a new pot of fresh potting mix, give it a good watering and put it in a warm, humid, bright location with indirect light.

TLC for the New Folks: The new plants still need the same care as a mature Red Calathea – give them water, humidity and light as needed.