---
title: "Please help! This calathea was thriving about a week ago, and after…"
description: "Please help! This calathea was thriving about a week ago, and after repotting with what I’m afraid might’ve been some old/moldy soil & river rocks it’s barely…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/cWWdqYqUGAqvLiVJFYdBYF"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Chaboi"
published: "2026-06-30T12:27:51.904655Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MkVt_bi67zvOOrRyIuPXuh5wdQffftzf4nsgvl60K2c/f3DgQrq-TAmFzeCBJbjcBw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Please help! This calathea was thriving about a week ago, and after…

_Posted by Chaboi on 2026-06-30_

Please help! This calathea was thriving about a week ago, and after repotting with what I’m afraid might’ve been some old/moldy soil \& river rocks it’s barely hanging on. Is it worth washing the pot and trying again with fresh soil, or is it too late?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MkVt_bi67zvOOrRyIuPXuh5wdQffftzf4nsgvl60K2c/f3DgQrq-TAmFzeCBJbjcBw.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### JR commented on 2026-06-30

Where there is green there is life. I’d try to save it

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2026-06-30

I think it depends on how important this plant is to you. If it is then yes try to save it. The soil looks like it holds to much water. Maybe next time add some perlite or pumice at the least.

### Whit\_Y commented on 2026-06-30

The potting mix looks a bit dense. Unfortunately, adding river rocks to the bottom doesn’t really improve drainage—in most cases, the soil settles against the rocks, which can actually make drainage less effective.

I’d recommend repotting it into a chunky, well-draining soil mix and choosing a pot that’s only about 1–2 inches larger than the root ball. This pot looks a bit oversized, and a terracotta pot may dry out too quickly for this plant.

### Union Leo commented on 2026-06-30

Calatheas are very moody \& take a while to adapt to changes in light/soil as well. Make sure you use filtered water. If you really want to save it you can certainly try, but it may look bad for a while before it recovers.

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