There is nothing more satisfying than bringing a new plant into your home and watching it thrive. But as with any living thing, plants need care and attention in order to grow properly. Picking the right kind of plant for your space and lifestyle can be daunting. That’s why this handy guide on how to take care of Calathea Makoyana has been put together!

Calathea Makoyana, Guide On How To Care For Calathea Makoyana, Days of a Domestic Dad

How To Care For Calathea Makoyana

This article covers everything you need to know about caring for Calathea Makoyana, from light requirements to watering needs. So no matter what type of environment or lifestyle you have- you can find the perfect plant companion here! 

How Much Water Does a Calathea Makoyana Need

Keeping your plant properly watered is the most important part of proper care. Calathea Makoyana will tell you when it needs water- its leaves will droop and begin to wilt! But how often do they need watering? You should aim to keep a light layer of moisture at all times, so mist once a day or submerge the entire pot for a few minutes at least once a week.

To regularly water, you have two options – either to immerse the entire plant in distilled or purified water for 20-30 minutes or to carefully pour water over the top of your plant so that it trickles through slightly damp soil until it is reached. To be sure you’re providing calathea makoyana care it needs. Regularly check its soil moisture, as it should feel damp all the way through. However, never leave your plant to sit in cold water for too long as the leaves will become mushy and droop dramatically!

Light Requirements

Caring for calathea makoyana is fairly straightforward when it comes to light requirements! The plant will thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. If you are placing your calathea outside on a windowsill. We recommend making sure the window isn’t too sunny and hot, otherwise the leaves can burn and dry out. If this does happen, move your plant away from the hot window and ensure it stays well-watered until you see new growth. You can also use a grow light, which will help your plant thrive indoors.

How to Fertilize a Calathea Makoyana

Caring for calathea makoyana is easy when it comes to fertilizing! The only type of fertilizer recommended is a foliage houseplant fertilizer, which will be safe for your plant and can be used once a month to help it stay healthy. Make sure you follow the directions on the packaging of your particular fertilizer- some types need to be sprinkled below the top layer of soil whereas others need to be mixed into the water that you pour over your plant.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to use a chemical fertilizer, you can opt for an organic method. Using compost in place of traditional fertilizer is not only safe but also promotes healthier soil in your plant’s pot! Simply sprinkle in about 1/4 cup compost mixed with equal parts of black dirt (if using a regular potting mix) or peat moss (if using a cactus mix) for each planter once a month.

Pests

Unfortunately, many bugs enjoy dining on calathea makoyana as well! Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are just some of the pests that can attack your plant- if you notice any, simply wipe them away with water from a spray bottle or use an organic pesticide if you prefer. You can also check for pests by lightly misting the leaves. If water beads up, this is a sign that you’re dealing with a pest infestation and should take steps to rid your plant of them!

Getting Along with Other Plants

Calathea makoyana is not fussy when it comes to living with other plants- it does well in group arrangements or alone. It looks the best in plant arrangements when paired with other tropical plants such as violets and petunias.

If you do decide to put your calathea in a group arrangement. Make sure that your surrounding environment is suitably moist and humid- this will help the leaves stay healthy and resist pests! The ideal temperature range for calathea makoyana is 65-80°F (18-27°C) and the humidity should be 60% or higher.

Container Size for a Calathea Makoyana

The calathea makoyana plant does not mind being planted in a smaller planter, but it will grow faster if you give it more room to spread out! You can use a 10-14cm planter if you want to cultivate a smaller plant, or larger planters of up to 20cm will allow calathea makoyana to care for its roots so that it can grow into an impressive specimen. The size of your planter will not affect the color of its leaves, but it may influence the size and shape of its flower.

No matter what type of plant you choose to grow or where you decide to put it, growing houseplants is an excellent way to liven up any space!

The calathea makoyana plant is perfect for adding some green to your décor. Its beautiful leaves make it a lovely indoor plant. If you follow these tips, caring for calathea makoyana should be easy!

Calathea Makoyana, Guide On How To Care For Calathea Makoyana, Days of a Domestic Dad