--- title: "first time plant mom & I decided to get this baby. Any tips on…" description: "first time plant mom & I decided to get this baby. Any tips on keeping her alive and well?" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/MHDCEEvjSYaZAT8jdVgR2w/655564662783867fb329cfa1" community: "Prayer Plant Allies" author: "Dee" published: "2023-11-16T00:37:58.086Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/W7ZSR-CHfqHP78fbX-h8uYPs8HpFEnzDbxWZALN91-0/6eb4accd3fff46efa12dc1d0936e1d11.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Prayer Plant Allies](https://getplanta.com/community/MHDCEEvjSYaZAT8jdVgR2w.md) # first time plant mom \& I decided to get this baby. Any tips on… _Posted by Dee on 2023-11-16_ first time plant mom \& I decided to get this baby. Any tips on keeping her alive and well? ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/W7ZSR-CHfqHP78fbX-h8uYPs8HpFEnzDbxWZALN91-0/6eb4accd3fff46efa12dc1d0936e1d11.webp?size=large) ## 8 comments ### Women are Water commented on 2023-11-16 First time plant mom and you decide to get a calathea! I love it! Do some research on her care needs. Some plants are hard to kill which makes the perfect for someone who is learning. I think calathea require a little more attention. But once you get the care done they are easy enough. They don’t like to try out completely. Think of their natural habitat and try to mimic that. Make sure your substrate is well draining. They love water but don’t want to sit in water. Also they appreciate humidity. So look out for crispy edges. I keep a spray bottle and mist my calathea between waterings. They seem to appreciate that. Some people run humidifiers. To each his own. Also they can burn with so much direct sunlight so direct indirect sunlight. Anyway. She’s a beauty. Good luck. Have fun and don’t be afraid of dying leaves, crispy leaves or yellowing leaves. Theses things happen. This is supposed to be relaxing and grounding not give you anxiety. 😊 #### Dee replied on 2023-11-16 Thank you! I just got her but I’m getting different opinions on watering. Would you recommend I water over the soil or do bottom watering on her? I’ve been taking her with me in the bathroom when I shower for the humidity \& she seems to love it. Also, would you prune the crispy/yellowing leaves or let them be? She has a couple broken\& ripped leaves I considered cutting off as well but I’ve just let them be. #### Women are Water replied on 2023-11-16 Yes. I would cut off the yellow leaves. One little crispy tip is not going to hurt so I may just trim off the crispy part. But if it’s looking crazy I’m cutting it. Lol. Personally preference I guess. But I have learned that yellow and dying leaves can signal to pests that the plant is unhealthy and make it susceptible to pests attacks. Also I don’t really have a preference on top or bottom watering. When you bottom watering the pant can take up how much water it needs. When you top water just make sure you water until the water runs out the bottom. I do both. It depends on my mood, my time and if I’m doing a treat. The most important thing is to just water thoroughly and let the excess drain off. Don’t let the plant actually sit in water (outside of bottom watering of course) That can cause root rot. ### Tae commented on 2023-11-16 Wow I’ve never seen one that big. If you don’t mind me asking where did you get that from? #### Dee replied on 2023-11-16 I got her at a Pike location near me. They had some nice big ones ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/W7ZSR-CHfqHP78fbX-h8uYPs8HpFEnzDbxWZALN91-0/02a77d1771fe484c8cffd0f18770b89e.webp?size=large) ### caitlin commented on 2023-12-07 always check the soil before watering if you decide to water from the top!! they do not like to dry out but i overwatered and caused the roots to rot in mine. better to underwater than overwater. #### Dee replied on 2023-12-08 yea I’ve been scared to overwater so I always check soil w a meter and my finger too. I water from the bottom tho so that it takes what it needs. I’m going on vacation for 3 weeks tomorrow so I hope they all survive 😭🥲🥲🥲 #### Hannah replied on 2023-12-27 I also read that you should occasionally top water if you tend to bottom water due to the buildup of minerals in the soil! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_