Garden Care Guide

Calathea Care

Calathea sp.

A tropical plant that needs high humidity, known for the patterns on its leaves and for their upward movement in the evenings. It should be protected from direct sun, cold drafts and chlorinated/chalky water; brown leaf tips are usually a sign of low humidity or incorrect watering.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 10 °C / 50 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Reduce the frequency; water when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried (every 10-14 days). If possible, use water that has been left to stand or purified water.
  • Pruning: Cut only leaves that have dried out or yellowed completely, at the base.
  • Plant protection: In the dry indoor environment created by heating, check the undersides of the leaves for the risk of spider mites.
  • General care: Maintaining high humidity is critical. Set the pot on a pebble tray or place a humidifier nearby. Protect from cold drafts.
  • Pests & diseases: Spider mites (webbing and wilting on the leaves) are the biggest threat.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue reducing the watering frequency (every 10-14 days).
  • Pruning: Cut only dry leaves.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth to keep the pores open.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
March
  • Watering: Increase watering as the weather warms and keep the soil constantly slightly moist (once a week).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Remove leaves that dry out in winter.
  • Plant protection: Check the newly emerging leaves for pests.
  • General care: It is the best time for repotting or propagation by division.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Fertilizing: Continue applying half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of spider mites and mealybugs.
  • General care: To maintain high humidity, you can mist the air around the plant, though not directly on the leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: If there is drying at the leaf tips, increase humidity and/or change the irrigation water (use water that has been left to stand).
May
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue applying half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: The riskiest period for spider mites. Use neem oil or a suitable miticide if necessary.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for spider mites and mealybugs (cottony whiteness).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue applying half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Protect it from the direct airflow of an air conditioner or fan, because it dries the air.
  • Pests & diseases: Brown, dry leaf tips are the clearest sign of low humidity.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue applying half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Against the risk of root rot, take care that water does not collect in the pot saucer.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, make the last fertilizer application and stop.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Growth slows; prepare the plant for its dormant period.
  • Pests & diseases: Keep checking the undersides of the leaves.
September
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at a diluted dose. This may be the final feeding.
  • Pruning: Cut only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Keep checking for spider mites; it is still a risky period.
  • General care: Continue to maintain high humidity. Prepare the plant for winter conditions with less light.
  • Pests & diseases: Do not stop checking for spider mites.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • General care: Place the plant in a bright spot away from heat sources such as radiators, without direct sunlight.
November
  • Watering: Reduce watering; water when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Check for the risk of spider mites in dry indoor conditions.
  • General care: It enters winter dormancy. Try to keep the humidity level high.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for spider mites.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
December
  • Watering: Water every 10-15 days or when the soil surface is dry.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: In dry, warm indoor spaces, spider mites can be a problem in winter as well.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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