---
title: "Help! ☹️ My calathea is shriveling up. I only water her with…"
description: "Help! ☹️ My calathea is shriveling up. I only water her with distilled and usually mist her every once in a while. I suspected that she might need more…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/Irs1xYOrXw4BBIVEixUcsT"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Bernie Botanical 🌿"
published: "2025-09-16T13:31:59.118847Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/HXkChCypIwpNncIc1yk74kkkxwXYGi4LUQUgNGZi5mM/3XCaD_fHQkCq4A7J1QC5Dw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! ☹️ My calathea is shriveling up. I only water her with…

_Posted by Bernie Botanical 🌿 on 2025-09-16_

Help! ☹️ My calathea is shriveling up. I only water her with distilled and usually mist her every once in a while. I suspected that she might need more humidity so I moved her to a different room with a humidifier. Is there anything else I can do? Any advice would be appreciated!

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/HXkChCypIwpNncIc1yk74kkkxwXYGi4LUQUgNGZi5mM/3XCaD_fHQkCq4A7J1QC5Dw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/HXkChCypIwpNncIc1yk74kkkxwXYGi4LUQUgNGZi5mM/rR7UhMMET2qIjeRay6gc2Q.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/HXkChCypIwpNncIc1yk74kkkxwXYGi4LUQUgNGZi5mM/X2O8IaHpRzCaAmiyEUogIw.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Debbie commented on 2025-09-16

I think it’s a watering issue. Do you use a moisture meter? That are quite fussy.

#### Bernie Botanical 🌿 replied on 2025-09-16

I will keep an eye on that! Thank you

### Phil commented on 2025-09-16

I agree with Debbie, this is a watering issue not a humidity issue. Check the soil, is it currently moist or wet? When did you last water? If the soil is wet, then you need to check the root system.

#### Bernie Botanical 🌿 replied on 2025-09-16

Thank you for the advice! I watered a few days ago according to the app. Do they prefer to stay drier?

#### Phil replied on 2025-09-16

The top few inches should be dry. At this point I would lift it out of the pot and check the root system. This calathea is a beautiful plant when healthy. And I don’t see them very often in the stores.

### Mindy commented on 2025-09-16

I almost lost mine because I couldn’t get the watering quite right. I repotted in this self watering pot from Amazon and it’s been doing great since. I do have it in the bathroom to help with humidity and use rain or distilled water. Hope that helps!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/URGhn0hhAN-AecpVpSJ_BY2YM1_Tg3HWWqosSet9XAk/aJzNP7RrTT-IAcsJwMB1UA.webp?size=large)

#### Bernie Botanical 🌿 replied on 2025-09-17

I will definitely try this method. Thanks for your help!

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