---
title: "This is my first calathea! When I repotted this morning, I found that…"
description: "This is my first calathea! When I repotted this morning, I found that she has been in a dense soil in her nursery pot but her roots were actually really…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/MHDCEEvjSYaZAT8jdVgR2w/651363fd9de36a8e62d70e10"
community: "Prayer Plant Allies"
author: "Michelle"
published: "2023-09-26T23:06:37.286Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pbXdPU6oPmxTU7NOxEV8Yhg2nqC1rtBs003BUE9EfDo/cfaac39d6ad343d5bdf274a660383815.webp?size=large"
---

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# This is my first calathea! When I repotted this morning, I found that…

_Posted by Michelle on 2023-09-26_

This is my first calathea! When I repotted this morning, I found that she has been in a dense soil in her nursery pot but her roots were actually really healthy. I've also read that these guys like damp soil. But I'm still worried about root rot. I mixed 1 part its original dense soil mix with 1 part of my usual aroid mix.. Should that be okay?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pbXdPU6oPmxTU7NOxEV8Yhg2nqC1rtBs003BUE9EfDo/cfaac39d6ad343d5bdf274a660383815.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Lucy Frü commented on 2023-09-27

Congrats on your first calathea! This was a great pick as rattlesnake calatheas are less demanding than their needier cousins— I’ve killed enough to know 😅 You’re right that it shouldn’t STAY consistently moist so your instinct to add the aroid soil is 💯. I do let mine dry out between waterings, I’ve had her for over a year and she’s thriving. I just try not to ever leave her thirsty for too long.

#### Michelle replied on 2023-09-27

Thank you so much!! That's really reassuring and helpful ☺️ Yesterday I changed up the soil on her 3 times because I was paranoid that she would either dry out or get root rot if the soil was wrong 😅

#### Lucy Frü replied on 2023-09-28

You’re very welcome! They really are the most beautiful and rewarding plants when you get to see their gorgeous leaves move with the sun ❤️

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