Easy care tips on how to care for your Calathea Medallion plant! They are one one of Mother Nature's most beautiful creations. You will love it, promise.
Calathea Medallion AKA Calathea veitchiana is arguably one of the most beautiful low-light plants. They are pretty popular to plant enthusiasts because of their large, "medallion"-like leaves: a brilliant green pattern on top, and a deep burgundy underneath. However, I do not recommend this plant for beginners or busy bees because it requires a bit of extra TLC to keep this plant happy and healthy. Read on to learn simple plant care tips and solutions on how to care for your Calathea Medallion.
Fun Fact: Observe your Calathea Medallion plant during night time because some Calathea Medallion varieties fold up slightly during the night time, revealing the colorful undersides of their striking leaves.
Calathea Medallion is part of the prayer plant family that sometimes people call it prayer-plants, but they are not true prayer-plants. The difference between Calathea Medallion and prayer-plants is in their leaves. Prayer plants' leaves fold upright at the base of the stem resembling praying hands. Meanwhile, if the leaves of your Calathea Medallion would curl up from the outer edges inward toward the central vein, check the environment because this means there's a problem with the environment where you placed your Calathea Medallion .
Calatheas are tropical plants that can grow from 6 to 36 inches at most. This plant loves an environment with higher humidity, low-light, and moderate soil moisture.
| Botanical Name | Calathea veitchiana |
| Common Name | Medallion Calathea |
| Plant Size | Some Calathea plants usually will only grow to about 2 feet in height, but its ultimate height can reach up to 40 to 60cm. |
| Types of Calathea Plants | Calathea Crocata, Calathea Lancifolia, Calathea Makoyana, Calathea Orbifolia, Calathea Ornata, Calathea Ornata 'Sanderiana', Calathea Roseopicta, Calathea Roseopicta 'Dottie', Calathea Roseopicta 'Rosey', Calathea Rufibarba, Calathea Warscewiczii, and Calathea Zebrina |
| Sunlight | Calathea Medallion needs medium to bright indirect light. Avoid placing your calathea plant under direct sunlight because it will burn the leaves. |
| Water | Keep your Calathea Medallion moist by maintaining a regular watering schedule, but do not let the soil get soak in water for too long or every time you water it. |
| Humidity | Since Calathea Medallion is originally a tropical plant, it prefers an environment with higher humidity. It's best to place it in areas of your home like your bathroom or kitchen. |
| Temperature | Calathea Medallion enjoys the warmth. It prefers temperature between 65-85 degrees. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to animals and humans, but it is said that they're pretty tasty, so it's best to keep it away from your pets if you want your plant to live. |
| Food | It's recommended to use a general houseplant fertilizer with iron every four weeks during the spring and summer. You don't have to feed your Calathea Medallion during winter because that's when plant growth naturally slows. |
| Pests and Problems | Calathea Medallion plants are prone to spider mites. Use room-temperature water and pay special attention to the bottom of the leaves. It's best to spray the plant with a hose to remove the mites. If the leaves on your Calathea are curling, then you're either overwatering or underwatering. If the leaves on your Calathea are turning brown on the edges, then this could be due to your tap water that contains salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride, which are harmful to your plant. |
| Omysa Plant Care Tip | Mist your Calathea Medallion plants often to keep it happy and healthy. |
Calathea Medallion Plant Care Tips
As I have mentioned that calathea medallion requires a bit of extra TLC to keep their unique leaves perky and shining. Here's a complete explanation of how to care for your Calathea Medallion, from sunlight requirement to common problems and its solutions.
Sunlight
First on our list on how to care for your Calathea Medallion is to place it in an area where it can get medium to bright indirect light. However, it can also tolerate low indirect light.
Common Problem: If you notice that the beautiful leaf colors of your Calathea Medallion are fading, then it means that your plant is receiving too much direct sun that it's starting to burn the leaves.
Solution: Place your Calathea Medallion in an area where the sun doesn't shine too much, like in your bathroom or kitchen, where the sunlight is just enough to keep your plant alive.
Water
It's recommended to create a regular watering schedule to keep your Calathea Medallion's soil moist. However, avoid soaking its soil in water. Also, keep in mind that this is not a drought-tolerant indoor plant. It can thrive if you missed to water it from time to time, but it will slowly die if you don't water it properly.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your Calathea Medallion are curling, then it means that the soil is dry. Signs that your Calathea Medallion's soil is completely dry if you see its leaves droop, go limp and possibly start to brown and curl. Again, it's not a drought-tolerant indoor plant.
Solution: Keep a consistent watering schedule. Water your Calathea Medallion when the top 1"-2" of the soil is dry.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your Calathea Medallion are turning brown on the edges, then it means that the quality of the water is harmful to the plant.
Solution: As I have mentioned before, tap water is not suitable for plants because it contains salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride, which causes the tips of the leaves to burn, curl up, and turn brown. Filter the water by either using a water filtration system or by leaving the water in an open container overnight.
Humidity & Temperature
Next on our list on how to care for your Calathea Medallion is to place it in a high humid environment. For example, in your bathroom or kitchen area. Also, your Calathea Medallion plant loves a warm environment, preferably between 65-85 degrees.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your Calathea Medallion start to brown up or curl, then it means that the environment is too dry.
Solution: Mist it with lukewarm water regularly. This plant loves moisture, so it's best to mist it every day or use a pebble tray. Also, avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes to keep your Calathea Medallion happy and healthy.
Toxicity
Good news because Calathea Medallion is a non-toxic plant to humans and pets. However, it's tasty, so protect them from your pets.
Food
Another on our list on how to care for your Calathea Medallion is to feed them with a general houseplant fertilizer with iron (15-15-15) every month or during the growing season, which is spring and summer. Cut the fertilizer in winter completely.
Common Problem: Your Calathea Medallion becomes leggy or is starting to wilt.
Solution: Avoid over-fertilizing your plant, especially during winter. Your Calathea Medallion might be suffering from root burn that could cause its death.
Pests & Other Problems
Calathea Medallion is prone to pests like aphids. mealybugs, and spider mites. To get rid of these bugs, bath your plants regularly by using a hose to wash these pests away. Another solution is to boosts the humidity by turning your humidifier on high or spraying your plant with water.
Another problem with the Calathea Medallion plant is its leaves will get dusty from time to time, so make sure to clean them with a damp cloth. Also, never use any leaf shine products on your plant.
That's a wrap on how to care for your Calathea Medallion. Well, it's not as easy as taking care of Pothos, but it's definitely worth it because purifies the air that you breathe, and it's great decor to your home.
Grow your plant knowledge. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
