---
title: "Hi all, I’m an extreme newbie and got a calathea *sigh* because the…"
description: "Hi all, I’m an extreme newbie and got a calathea *sigh* because the leaves are pretty and they are non-toxic to cats. It is potted without a nursery pot, but…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ayDdolKeD0lBOR8NCeaXrS"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Zizi"
published: "2026-05-24T16:23:49.209615Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/9SoLMA0WaOD-ucvXQcMHnNuBO1DlyzLTuDmFStaxTWk/qZEvjIVmTcWPRZfAPOuOIQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Hi all, I’m an extreme newbie and got a calathea \*sigh\* because the…

_Posted by Zizi on 2026-05-24_

Hi all, I’m an extreme newbie and got a calathea \*sigh\* because the leaves are pretty and they are non-toxic to cats. It is potted without a nursery pot, but the pot itself has one drainage hole. Not sure the soil type as it’s whatever the nursery had at their DIY plant bar. We put rocks at the bottom first and then soil.

I first waited a full week to water it and my plant looked in distress and the soil was bone dry. I used tap water the first time. Then I checked the soil everyday after and watered after 4 days when I noticed the soil was dry but not bone dry (using distilled water this time). I added a humidifier running 4-8 hours at night near the plant and just moved it to a spot with better light (it was darker before). Planta is also telling me it’s overwatered?? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure if I need to repot the whole thing when I just potted it recently? Worried it will stress the plant even more and how bad it is right now 😭

![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/9SoLMA0WaOD-ucvXQcMHnNuBO1DlyzLTuDmFStaxTWk/qZEvjIVmTcWPRZfAPOuOIQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/9SoLMA0WaOD-ucvXQcMHnNuBO1DlyzLTuDmFStaxTWk/v-Rhj-djSjG7JGMwXUnG_g.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/9SoLMA0WaOD-ucvXQcMHnNuBO1DlyzLTuDmFStaxTWk/uU7qbFLEQdGitzXuxqHvKA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/9SoLMA0WaOD-ucvXQcMHnNuBO1DlyzLTuDmFStaxTWk/czfdQAyNToq0SyyAmBhEEg.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Rachel commented on 2026-05-24

Use distilled water. These guys react badly to tap water. Can you make new holes in the nursery pot? The plastic can be cut with sharp pruning shears.

#### Zizi replied on 2026-05-24

Yep started using distilled water for second watering and will keep using it onwards! Unfortunately she’s planted directly in the pot with one draining hole and rocks as a buffer, so she’s not in a nursery pot

### BlondeinBrooklyn commented on 2026-05-24

i would move it away from direct sunlight. mine is in a pretty dark corner of a full sun room \& it seems to like it there.

#### Dondoo52 replied on 2026-05-25

I agree! They do not like direct lighting.

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