Calathea Ornata

Another highlight: The plant can grow up to 2 feet wide and tall while indoors! Your Calathea Ornata likes it warm and cozy which is why you should keep it at no lower than 60 °F, no higher than 85 °F. Do not put in drafty, cool areas. The Calathea Ornata is great for beginners who have the time to get to know their plant! Put it in a humid area like your bathroom or kitchen and make sure to keep its soil moist to keep it happy!

Calatheas are not drought-tolerant, so try not to let it dry out completely between waterings. Fertilize about once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).

Find your new Calathea Ornata a well-lit spot with filtered light. You do not want your Calathea Ornata to lose its stripes which is why you should protect it from direct sunlight!

Yes, this plant is non-toxic and therefore safe around cats, dogs and humans.

DROOPING BROWN LEAVES:
- Water your calathea with a generous soak, so that excess water trickles from the base of the pot. This ensures that the water has infiltrates the soil so that it is consistently moist throughout and the roots can access the moisture they require to keep the plant healthy and prevent drooping leaves.

- Water your calathea as often as required so that the soil feels moist (but importantly not saturated). Exactly how often you should water you calathea to keep it healthy varies according to your climate and the conditions in the home. The best practice is to water with a generous soak and then monitor the soils moisture throughout the week and water just before the soil feels dry.

- Keep the calathea out the way of draughts from air conditioning, forced air or any other air currents as this is contrary to the calathea’s preferred humid conditions. Air currents sap moisture away from the leaves causing the to turn crispy, Find a nice, relatively still place for your calathea in bright, indirect light.

- To counteract the dryer affects of air currents and to replicate the humidity of the rainforest I recommend spraying the leaves of your calathea with a mist once every 3 days or so. They dryer your climate or house is, the more frequently you should mist the leaves. Alternatively you can use a humidifier or place the pot on a tray filled with water with pebbles keeping the pot out of the standing water. They water in the tray evaporates and creates a humid micro-climate to suit the calathea.

- Locate your calathea in an area of bright indirect light as any sun at this point can exacerbate the drought stress and conditions that caused the drooping, brown, crispy leaves. An area of bright, indirect light helps the calathea maintain its variegated colors (if it is a variegated variety) and prevents the leaves from scorching.