--- title: "Hi plant peeps, I wonder if anyone can help. This is my sister's…" description: "Hi plant peeps, I wonder if anyone can help. This is my sister's Calathea and she's not very happy as you can see. Does anyone know what the problem could be…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ocaXH39TTkuoe8CmFtvw8X?language=nl" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Tandra" published: "2025-03-28T21:39:51.573103Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MKX3p9hNFasG7Fb7mcVZI3eNgRH_eNLJRPufxLGX5Us/v_pbapA5QB6rHkjW-hfHnw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=nl) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=nl) # Hi plant peeps, I wonder if anyone can help. This is my sister's… _Geplaatst door Tandra op 2025-03-28_ Hi plant peeps, I wonder if anyone can help. This is my sister's Calathea and she's not very happy as you can see. Does anyone know what the problem could be please? The leaves have totally collapsed and some have browned and died completely. In the hope of rescuing her, I added it on here and let her know when to water and mist etc and it has perked up a little bit. That is sand you can see on top of the soil to prevent fungas gnats. Any advice at all would be great and appreciated. Thanks in advance. ![Bijlage 1 van 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MKX3p9hNFasG7Fb7mcVZI3eNgRH_eNLJRPufxLGX5Us/v_pbapA5QB6rHkjW-hfHnw.webp?size=large) ![Bijlage 2 van 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MKX3p9hNFasG7Fb7mcVZI3eNgRH_eNLJRPufxLGX5Us/pNi0UP3KRz2Wp5nnpMS-7w.webp?size=large) ## 8 reacties ### BigGrac reageerde op 2025-03-28 What kinda soil is that? Looks superrr dry and compacted. ### Tandra reageerde op 2025-03-28 I think it's just a standard potting mix with perlite. What you can see is sand, there is a layer on top to prevent fungus gnats going in the soil and laying eggs. Planta advises to water and mist every 3rd day for this area and time of year. But I do tell her to poke a finger in the soil to feel if it needs watering first just in case. She bottom waters it but I advised her to top water it occasionally to flush the soil through. ### monster\_maniac reageerde op 2025-03-28 dont use tap water #### Tandra antwoordde op 2025-03-28 Noted, thank you! 😊 ### Gaileen Joy reageerde op 2025-03-28 🥺SO dry!! The soil looks like concrete. Very compacted and extremely dry. Plus it’s in a terra cotta type pot, which also sucks the water. I’d suggest very carefully repotting her into a pot that is not terra cotta. It also looks like it’s sitting in water. That’s not good either, unless it’s just been watered and still draining. When I water I usually water until it’s coming out the bottom of the pot, let it flush down the sink a bit, then put it back in the saucer for a few minutes to have a chance to absorb what water it needs, then let it drain again for a bit without the saucer. Just to make sure it’s not going to drain more water into the saucer when it’s back on the shelf. That’s just my .02. Good luck. I think you can save her. #### Tandra antwoordde op 2025-03-28 Thank you. That's sand you can see to stop fungas gnats (see my last comment) and yes it had just been watered, she likes to water from the bottom, I have advised to water from the top occasionally to flush the soil through. Yes, the pot isn't ideal, I'll recommend changing to a plastic pot with good drainage. Thank you. #### Gaileen Joy antwoordde op 2025-03-28 Of COURSE I noticed that you said it was sand on the top right AFTER I had posted my comment. 🤪 I think you’re on the right track in advising her to water from the top occasionally. I really sorry if my post sounded snarky. That wasn’t my intention. 😬😊 In any case, I’m sure you can save her. You go girl! 😍 ### Tandra reageerde op 2025-03-28 😆 That's OK, I should have said about the sand in the original post, I have amended it now. No need to apologise, I appreciate any advice given. Thank you! 😊 --- _De Planta-community (https://getplanta.com). Iedereen kan meelezen. Om te posten, reageren en liken, download de Planta-app: https://getplanta.com/download_