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Help! My calathea orbifolia is starting to show yellowing on its… | Pests, diseases and problems | Comunidad de Planta

Serene

Help! My calathea orbifolia is starting to show yellowing on its bigger leaves and is losing its vibrant coloring. The new leaves look good, and it’s even got a bunch of new ones coming in. I water according to Planta and it’s in a north facing window with a grow light about a 1.5 ft away. Always distilled water and a small amount of fertilizer. I’ve got it in a super chunky mix (soil, perlite, bark) plus some peat moss for a bit more water retention. Most of my calatheas seem to be loving that mix but not sure about this one. Is this overwatering or is there something I’m not seeing? Thanks!

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  1. 9s

    Hi friend. Calathea is one of those tricky plants because not all calathea are low light. The varieties with purple backing are better suited for low light because the purple on the back of the leaf REFLECTS the light back through the leaf and helps the plant use it better. Calathea WITHOUT the purple backing require MORE light because they didn’t get the same evolutionary advantage. In low light, the plant leaves will fold downwards as it looks for the light (if the light is bright and sufficient, all of the leaves should fold upwards and face the sun. If it’s not enough, the leaves fold down to maximize light satellites. Because this variety needs more light and isn’t getting it, it can’t drink water as fast, so it’ll behave differently in your mix as your other calathea. Bump up the light and once the leaves stand up, you’re doing it right. Also keep in mind stressed out calathea in low light usually get mites so inspect for that as well.

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    • Serene

      Thank you! That helps a lot! I was wondering if Planta was being a little aggressive with the water. I may rearrange my set up and grow light to give it a bit more light. Thanks for the pointers, and yes always on the lookout for those pesky mites!

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    • 9s

      Love your set up. Quick tips: The stromanthe on the far left and the rosie in the middle and the one to the right of the rosie will all appreciate higher light. The stromanthe will get brown tip edges if light is too low (because it can’t drink the water fast enough so it sits in it in low light). The other two calathea I mentioned, the Rosie will get gray center leaves in lower light and I believe the one next to it acts very similarly (leaves get smaller and get stuck and won’t uncurl and also grow more pale) The last 2 on the left are easy hehe.

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