Calathea lancifolia(Rattlesnake flora ) is an attractive tropic houseplant with slender show leave decorate with promiscuous and dark green patterns . The main attraction is its lance - shape leaves with dark oval pattern on the upper side and purple colors on the underside . As an evergreen plant perennial , Calathea lancifoliais leisurely to get indoors . The rattlesnake plant ’s alien foliage adds a touch of the tropical zone to any indoor décor .
TheCalathea lancifoliais just one of the many mintage ofCalatheathat grow indoors . Other varieties ofCalatheainclude the ‘ pinstripe plant ’ ( Calathea ornata),Calathea orbifolia , and the ‘ jungle velvet calathea ’ ( Calathea warscewiczii ) . From all theCalatheaspecies , the rattlesnake plant looks most like the ‘ peacock flora ’ ( Calathea makoyana ) due to the blotchy patterns on the folio .
This article is a complete guide to growingCalathea lancifoliaat home . In addition to helpful growing tip , you ’ll find solutions to many issues affecting this tropic houseplant ’s development .
How to Care forCalathea lancifolia
To care forCalathea lancifolia , grow the rattlesnake plant in bright , collateral sunshine . This calathea plant life performs advantageously planted in a holey , well - draining potting mix . pee oftentimes to keep the soil moist but without becoming waterlogged . idealistic temperatures are between 65 ° F and 75 ° F ( 18 ° C – 24 ° C ) , and humidness should be intermediate to gamey .
Calathea lancifolia(Rattlesnake Plant) Facts
Calathea lancifolia ( Rattlesnake plant ) has beautiful patterned leaf with purple - maroon undersides
Calathea lancifoliais a tropical evergreen perennial aborigine to Brazil ’s rainforests . It belongs to the plant familyMarantaceaeand is related toprayer plants(Maranta ) . In its native habitat , Calathea lancifoliagrows in mottled sunlight in the warm , humid mood ofrainforests .
As a tropical foliation houseplant , Calathea lancifoliagrows between 24 ” and 30 ” ( 60 – 75 cm ) tall . Its bushy , spiky coming into court is made up of elongated slender lanceolate green leave-taking with prominent drear green marking . When the calathea leaves fold up , they reveal a beautiful burgundy - purple underside .
Calathea lancifoliais typically grow as a tropical indoor plant . Outdoors , the plant only grows in USDA zone 11 and 12 . This means that you may only farm them in your garden in Hawaii or some southern areas of Florida and California .
TheCalathea lancifoliagets its common name , rattlesnake plant , from the distinctive rattler - alike mark on the svelte , wavy green leaves .
Calathea lancifoliaFlowers
Calathea lancifoliais a flowering perennial that produces small yellow bloom . In its native environment , thisCalatheaspeciesblooms in late spring . As a houseplant , the rattlesnake industrial plant rarely — if ever — prime indoors . But do n’t vex , Calathea lancifoliais grown in deal for its tropic foliage , not for its flowers .
Calathea lancifoliaLeaves
Calathea lancifolia narrow and recollective leaves have wavy margin
Calathea lancifolialeaves are supple fleeceable blades in the conformation of a shaft or spearpoint . Leaf characteristics are dark green folio - like patterns alternate along each side of the foliage ’s center . The crinkly leaf margins and purple undersides add to the tropic appeal of the rattlesnake plant .
Calathea lancifolialeaves measure up to 18 ” ( 45 centimeter ) long .
Being a member of the familyMarantaceae , Calathea lancifolialeaves share similar characteristics with prayer plants . In the even , the pointed leaves fold together in a appeal position and then stretch in the morning .
Calathea lancifoliais generally easy to care for at rest home . However , calathea rattlesnake plants can be fussy when it fall to light , heat , and humidity . The most essential forethought essential for this calathea industrial plant are that the dirt is keep moist and the foliage is protect from direct sunshine .
countenance ’s look in more detail at how to growCalathea lancifoliaindoors .
Where to GrowCalathea lancifolia
Calathea lancifoliagrows best in a warm , well - get down room . You could keep it in a bright east- or west - facing room near the window that ’s not in direct sunlight . Or an indoor terrace or a conservatory are also suitable places to keep this heat - loving plant .
Another musical theme is to grow the calathea rattlesnake flora in a shaded corner of a room to add a tropical accent to a dimly - light room . However , without plenty of bright light , the coloured green patterns on the leave may eventually disappear .
Light Requirements for GrowingCalathea lancifolia
Calathea lancifoliagrows best in bright light if it ’s protected from lineal sun . The sunshine ’s intense rays can bleach the leaves , cause the calathea rattlesnake normal to fade . You may also notice that overexposure to the sunshine causes brown scorch patches on the farewell to seem .
If the potted calathea plant is in verbatim sunshine , you should protect it behind a sheer drapery .
One sign that theCalathea lancifolialacks spark is drooping growth and faded leaves . Although most calatheaplants can outlast humble - lighting condition , their growth slows down . If you notice that the calathea stem and foliage are wilt , taste moving it to a brighter placement .
The Best Soil forCalathea lancifoliaPlants
Calathea lancifoliathrives in loose , organically - robust potting grime with fantabulous drain . The ideal land for most calatheas is a premix of two contribution peat moss and one part perlite . peat moss peat mossprovides the calathea with nutrient and retains enough moisture to keep the roots hydrated . Amendinghomemade houseplant soilwithperlite improves drain .
The best grunge forCalathea lancifoliaplants should let water to flow freely through the medium . However , the soil should not dry out so tight that the roots lack sufficient moisture .
The bad thing for anyexotic type of calatheais soggy , waterlogged potting mix . Issues with excessive soil moisture can go on for several grounds . Here are a few understanding why calathea dirt can become too - dampish :
How to WaterCalathea lancifoliaHouseplants
Water aCalathea lancifoliaoften enough to keep the potting mix always moist during fountain and summertime . A useful guide for lachrymation calatheas is to allow the top layer of soil to become almost juiceless . Then , drench the soil with elbow room - temperature filtered urine until it drain from the toilet ’s drain holes .
In summertime , you may have to water a calathea as often as once a hebdomad . During wintertime , aCalathea lancifoliarequires less lachrymation . Calathea emergence slow up down in winter , and you may irrigate the plant when the top bed of ground is dry to meet .
Watering aCalathea lancifoliatoo often or infrequently accent the houseplant . to boot , dowse the soil repeatedly causes root rot , yellow leaves , and eventual plant death .
Temperature Requirements to GrowCalathea lancifolia
Calathea lancifoliagrows well in distinctive elbow room temperature . The ideal temperature mountain chain for calatheas is between 65 ° degree Fahrenheit and 75 ° F ( 18 ° C – 24 ° blow ) . For best growing , it ’s full of life to protect the plant from sudden temperature fluctuations . So , void stressing the plant by keep it out of cold drafts and away from heating system vents .
Calathea lancifoliadoesn’t put up the cold . Its minimal temperature is 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) . If you raise your tropical houseplants outdoors in the summer , bring them in spite of appearance when the temperature drops .
Humidity forCalathea lancifoliaIndoor Plants
Calathea lancifoliagrows in warm , humid conditions , and distinctive house humidity is usually too low . gain room humidity by invest the calathea mess on a tray with pebble and water . Or you’re able to use a room humidifier to increase breeze wet and prevent brown foliation .
you could also mistCalathea lancifolialeaves daily . However , regularly mist calatheas is seldom enough to keep them happy — not to mention prison term - consuming .
As part of your regularCalathea lancifoliacare routine , wipe the leaf with a dampish cloth once a calendar week . Cleaning the parting not only keep on them looking their dependable , but it hydrate them and maintains healthy growth . This way , you may enjoy its leafy tropical green and purplish foliage .
CalathealancifoliaGrowth Rate
Calathea lancifoliahas a medium growth pace when grow in bright conditions . Typically , rattlesnake plants stop growing when they extend to the mature superlative of 2 to 3 ft . ( 0.6 – 1 meter ) . In low - luminousness conditions and during winter , growth will slow down significantly .
The Best Fertilizer for Calathea
Calathea lancifoliabenefits from apply a diluted houseplant fertiliser monthly during the growing season . During spring and summertime , extra nutrients help to boost growth and ensure lush , alien foliage . Thebest fertilizerto use should have an NPK valuation of 10 - 10 - 5 .
TheCalathea lancifoliarattlesnake industrial plant is susceptible to root burn from a buildup of mineral salinity . So , every two to three months , it ’s a sound idea to flush the soil using distilled or filtered urine . scarper the water supply through the potting mix for a minute to leach the soil of mineral table salt .
PruningCalathea lancifolia
Calathea lancifoliatypically does n’t need any pruning . The only attending you ask to give the industrial plant is to transfer dying or numb leave of absence and stems . you could clip lily-livered or decay farewell by abridge the stems at the base . Pruning dead leaf from calathea plant helps to concentrate the plant ’s energy in new growth .
RepottingCalathea lancifolia
For best results , repot aCalathea lancifoliaevery year in natural spring . cautiously remove the plant from the heap , taking precaution not to damage the roots . Shake off excess dirt and check the roots for price . one-half fill a new pot with a soil intermixture for calatheas . Replant the calathea at the same height as it was before .
If yourCalathea lancifoliais still growing , select a suitable pot that is one or two size larger than its current one . A slightly larger container allow the roots more room to grow and prevents issue with soggy soil .
foretoken that it ’s fourth dimension to repot aCalathea lancifoliainclude the following :
How to PropagateCalathea lancifolia
Calathea lancifoliapropagation is best done by fraction the plant when repotting it . All you have to do is separate the roots into the number of new plants you bid to uprise . Place the newfangled plants in a mint with a suitable potting commixture and water well . Put the propagated plant life in a bright spot and keep the stain moist .
IsCalathea lancifoliatoxic?
Calathea lancifoliais not toxicant to computed axial tomography or dogs . TheASPCAputs flora in the genusCalatheaon the list of non - toxic houseplants .
Pests AffectingCalathea lancifoliaGrowth
Calathea lancifoliais comparatively tolerant tocommon houseplant microbe , pests , and mites . Sometimesspider mites , mealy bug , or aphid could cause trouble . Get rid of plant pestsby applyinga natural neem rock oil solutionevery seven days . Mix 2 tsp . neem oil and 1 tsp . dish soap , with a quart ( 1 l ) of warm water . Spray the calathea leaves munificently once a calendar week to get rid of flora bugs .
To rid aCalathea lancifoliafoliage of industrial plant pests , it ’s vital to recognize the signs of these foul critters . Here ’s how to spot vulgar calathea pests :
unremarkably , if you care well for yourCalathea lancifolia , you ’ll have few , if any , issues with pests on your tropical houseplants .
Diseases AffectingCalathea lancifoliaGrowth
Calathea lancifoliaplants develop fungous diseases due to excessive stain wet . Poorly - draining soil or overwatering can cause the ascendent to decay , which affects the works ’s growth . The signs of calathea plant disease let in leafage spot , yellowing foliage , drooping ontogenesis , and death .
The well way to prevent any fungal or bacterial disease from affecting your works is never to overwater it . Only irrigate the calathea soil enough to keep it slimly moist — but never waterlogged or quaggy .
repot the calathea with refreshed potting dirt once a year also help to preclude soil compaction . Just remember to meliorate the potting soil with perlite , orchid barque , or devil to meliorate houseplant soil drain .
If yourCalathea lancifoliashows sign of plant disease , it ’s best to repot the plant with fresh potting stain . Check for any mushy brown stem and trim them before transferring to a Modern pot . Then , in the future , take care not to overwater or underwater your beautiful tropical calathea .
Unfortunately , if ancestor damage is extensive , you may have to cut your losses and get a new plant .
FAQs —Calathea lancifoliaCare
Although theCalathea lancifoliais generally a broken - maintenance tropical houseplant , there are a few reason why its growth could suffer .
Why are myCalathea lancifolialeaves not opening?
There can be several reasons whyCalathea lancifolialeaves do n’t spread or close up at dark . The most common ones are that the dirt is too juiceless or there ’s too much smart light . Calatheas choose modest to average light and moist land . To get the plant to ‘ pray ’ at night , try increasing humidness or moving it to a less sunny positioning .
Why are myCalathea lancifolialeaves drooping?
droop calathea leaves are typically a sign that your plant is thirsty . train the territory for dispassionateness and then water the plant to aid revive it . It ’s also significant not to overwater the tropical houseplant . Additionally , cold swig can also affect its growth .
Why are myCalathea lancifolialeaves turning yellow?
Calathea lancifolia leaves can turn over scandalmongering due to many reasons . Too much dirt moisture , over - exposure to the sun , over - fertilization , or parched soil can lead in yellow calathea leave . To prevent more leave from turning jaundiced , check how you care for the ill-tempered houseplant .
It ’s good to remember that sure-enough calathea leaves usually turn over yellow . So , if you only have one or two yellow leaf , there is nothing to worry about . Prune the leaf halt at their base to meliorate your plant ’s appearing .
Why do myCalathea lancifoliahouseplant leaves have brown tips?
Low humidness is a common understanding forCalathea lancifolialeaves developing brownness , crispy gratuity . Try increasing humidity so that there ’s more air wet to stop over calathea leaves from curling and turning brown .
to boot , brown leaves could be a sign of mineral salt building up in the potting soil . This could be cause by over - feeding or using tap water system to water industrial plant . So , it ’s a good approximation to sluice the soil to remove any excess mineral . To water tropical houseplants , it is unremarkably best to apply filtered or distil water to prevent leaf John Moses Browning .
How to revive aCalathea lancifolia?
To bring aCalathea lancifoliaback to life , it ’s vital to recognize why the plant life is dying . If a lack of water system or ironical ground is causing foliation and staunch to droop , thoroughly souse the soil with body of water to hydrate the hungry radical . If root rot is regard the industrial plant ’s increase , you ’ll need to repot the industrial plant in tonic soil and absent any dead or decaying root word .
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