Have you ever been concerned about the health of your Calathea? Youre not alone! Many people have noticed their beloved Calathea leaves turning crispy and brown, and have been wondering what caused it.
If this has happened to you, dont worry! In this article, well go over what a Calathea is, what causes crispy Calatheas, signs of overwatering, tips to avoid overwatering, signs of too much sunlight, tips to avoid too much sunlight, and tips to increase humidity levels.
With these tips, youll be able to save your Calathea and keep it healthy and happy!.
Short Answer
Calathea plants need consistent moisture levels to stay healthy and vibrant.
If the soil is too dry for too long, the leaves can become crispy and dry out.
Overwatering can also cause the leaves to become crispy if the soil does not drain properly.
Make sure to check the soil before watering to make sure the top few inches are dry and the pot is draining properly.
What Is A Calathea?
Calatheas are a type of tropical perennial plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America.
They are popular houseplants known for their beautiful, vibrant foliage and unique leaf patterns.
Calatheas come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and can be found in both green and purple varieties.
The most common calathea varieties are the Graziela, Medallion, and Zebrina.
Calatheas prefer bright, indirect sunlight and need to be kept in humid environments.
They need to be watered frequently but not too much, as they are susceptible to root rot if overwatered.
They also need to be fertilized every two to four weeks during the growing season and repotted every few years.
Common Causes Of Crispy Calatheas
Calatheas are beautiful and vibrant houseplants that can add a touch of color and texture to any space.
Unfortunately, if your calathea starts to look crispy and wilted, it may be a sign of poor care or environmental conditions.
The most common cause of crispy calatheas is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and cause the leaves to turn brown and crisp.
Other causes of crispy calatheas include not enough water, too much direct sunlight, and low humidity levels.
Overwatering is a common cause of crispy calatheas, as the roots become waterlogged and cant access enough oxygen.
This causes the leaves to turn brown and become crispy.
To prevent overwatering, make sure to water your plant only when the soil is dry to the touch, and avoid watering it too often.
Too much direct sunlight can also cause your calathea to become crispy, as the leaves can become scorched and burned from the intense heat.
If your calathea is exposed to too much direct sunlight, make sure to move it to an area with bright, indirect light.
Finally, low humidity levels can also cause your calathea to become crispy.
Calatheas need high humidity levels to thrive, so make sure to mist your plant regularly and place a humidity tray or humidifier nearby.
By understanding the common causes of crispy calatheas, you can take the necessary steps to ensure your plant stays healthy and vibrant.
Make sure to water your plant only when the soil is dry to the touch, provide it with bright, indirect light, and keep the humidity levels high.
With the right care and attention, your calathea will be looking healthy and beautiful in no time.
Signs Of Overwatering
One of the most common causes of crispy calatheas is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and cause the leaves to turn brown and crisp.
If you notice that your calatheas foliage is starting to curl and wilt, its a sure sign that you may be overwatering your plant.
Other signs to look out for include yellowing or wilting of the leaves, stunted growth, and the presence of black or brown spots.
Additionally, if you notice that the leaves are starting to feel soft or spongy, it is a sign of root rot and should be addressed as soon as possible.
To prevent overwatering, make sure to water your calathea only when the soil is dry to the touch.
You can check the moisture level of the soil by gently pressing your finger into the top layer of the soil.
If it feels dry, its time to water your plant.
Additionally, its important to make sure that your calathea is planted in a pot with drainage holes so that the excess water can escape and the roots dont become waterlogged.
Tips To Avoid Overwatering
One of the biggest causes of crispy calatheas is overwatering, so it is important to learn how to avoid this.
Here are some tips to help you out: 1.
Get to know your plant.
Calatheas are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they do need to be watered regularly.
If youre unsure how much water your particular plant needs, do some research so you can get an idea of how often it should be watered.
2.
Feel the soil.
One of the best ways to ensure your calathea isnt getting too much water is to check the soil before watering.
Gently press your finger into the soil and if its still damp, wait a few days before watering again.
3.
Use a pot with drainage holes.
Calatheas dont like sitting in soggy soil, so make sure your pot has at least one or two drainage holes.
This will help excess water drain away from the roots and prevent root rot.
4.
Water from the bottom.
If youre worried about overwatering, try watering your calathea from the bottom.
Fill a bowl with a few inches of room temperature water and place the pot in the bowl.
The soil will absorb the water it needs, and any excess water will remain in the bowl.
5.
Invest in a moisture meter.
If youre still worried about overwatering your calathea, investing in a moisture meter can be a great way to ensure your plant is getting the right amount of water.
Moisture meters measure the amount of water in the soil and can help you determine when its time to water.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your calathea is getting the right amount of water and avoid the dreaded crispy leaves.
Signs Of Too Much Sunlight
When it comes to caring for your calathea, one of the most important things to watch for is signs of too much sunlight.
Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves of your calathea to become crispy and wilted.
This can happen even if the calathea is in a well-lit spot, as the suns rays can be deceivingly strong.
Signs of too much sunlight include the leaves becoming brown and crispy, as well as the leaves curling up at the edges.
This is a sign that the direct sunlight is damaging the calatheas foliage, and the plant should be moved to a spot that receives bright, indirect light.
Additionally, the leaves may become yellowed, which is an indication that the plant is not getting enough light.
It is important to remember that calatheas are tropical plants and do best in bright, indirect light, so make sure to place your plant in an area that is well-lit but not directly in the sun.
It may also be helpful to rotate your calathea occasionally to ensure that all sides of the plant receive equal amounts of light.
Tips To Avoid Too Much Sunlight
When it comes to calatheas, too much direct sunlight can be a big problem.
The intense light can cause the leaves to dry out and become crispy.
To help avoid this, make sure to find a spot in your home or office that provides bright, indirect light.
Try to find a spot that is away from windows and direct sunlight.
Additionally, if you have curtains or blinds, consider keeping them closed when the sun is at its brightest to help filter the light.
You can also get creative and use sheer curtains or a sheer piece of fabric to diffuse the light.
Keep in mind that you don’t want the light to be too dim either, as this can cause your calathea to become leggy.
Tips To Increase Humidity Levels
Keeping your Calathea’s humidity levels high is essential for its health and wellbeing.
There are a few easy ways you can do this, such as placing your Calathea near a humidifier, misting its leaves regularly, or grouping it with other plants.
If you have a humidifier, you can set it up near your plant to increase the humidity in its environment.
Alternatively, misting your Calathea’s leaves with a spray bottle filled with lukewarm water can also help to increase the humidity levels.
If you have other plants in the same room, grouping them together can also help to increase the humidity levels as the plants will be able to exchange moisture and humidity.
Lastly, you can also put a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles near your Calathea to help increase the humidity levels.
Final Thoughts
Calatheas are gorgeous houseplants that can brighten any room, but if not taken care of properly, they can become crispy and wilted.
With the tips above, you can learn how to avoid overwatering, too much direct sunlight, and low humidity levels that can cause your calathea to become crispy.
So, make sure to water your calathea only when the soil is dry to the touch, provide bright, indirect light, and keep the humidity levels high for a healthy, vibrant calathea.