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Care of a Calathea Medallion Plant

By: Dale Devries

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21 September, 2017

Calathea medallion is one of the many cultivars of calathea plants. This tropical foliage plant is hardy only in USDA planting zone 11, therefore grown most commonly as a houseplant. Calathea is one of the more difficult plants to grow indoors. It has specific needs and declines rapidly when they are not met. However, if you have the time and patience to care for such a picky plant, it will be well worth your effort. The medallion cultivar has large variegated leaves with dark green borders, bold and stunning; even those that don’t garden will want one.

Locate the plant in bright filtered light, not direct sunlight as it will burn the foliage. Keep the calathea away from drafts from windows, doors and heat and air vents. Any extreme temperature changes will cause harm to this sensitive plant.

Calathea medallion is one of the many cultivars of calathea plants.
The medallion cultivar has large variegated leaves with dark green borders, bold and stunning; even those that don’t garden will want one.

Water the soil to keep it moist. When the top of the soil feels dry, pour in the water until it drains through the drain holes and then allow the soil to dry out at the top again. Over-watering and created soggy soil will result in yellow leaves. Under-watering will cause the leaves to turn brown.

Place a tray full of pebbles and water under the plant during dry periods. Never sit the plant directly in the water. This is a tropical plant and requires high humidity. If your home is exceptionally dry from heat or air conditioning, you may want to provide a humidifier near the plant.

Water the soil to keep it moist.
When the top of the soil feels dry, pour in the water until it drains through the drain holes and then allow the soil to dry out at the top again.

Put a handful of compost on top the soil each spring and midsummer. This will help to keep nutrients in the soil naturally.

Care For A Calathea Plant

Grown for their dramatic foliage, exotic calatheas (Calathea spp.) are among the splashiest of tropicals. Plan to fertilize your calathea every three weeks between early spring and late summer. Moisten the growing medium before fertilizing, and never use more fertilizer than the label recommends. A calathea needs consistently moist growing medium and high humidity. Let it drain, wait a few minutes and repeat. Wait five minutes, then water thoroughly and drain again. Treat the pests with ready-to-use insecticidal soap at the first sign of trouble, spraying the plant until all its surfaces are wet. When you're done, water to settle the medium so it's about 1/2 inch below the rim, let the plant drain and move it to its regular spot.