---
title: "Hi guys Just got this calthea from Lowe’s and I want to revive it.…"
description: "Hi guys Just got this calthea from Lowe’s and I want to revive it. How can I tell if the roots are bad? I’m a new plant mom."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/dwdrwdPZQUKjaLKkJLE2Zg"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "New Plant Mom"
published: "2024-02-22T02:37:53.552031Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cfvkGnO-To9ce3pOPC8PNEQq6GZvE0UfhuS4ToDQI0Q/LjbMNoVkReiEtuLgQ4AnPg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi guys Just got this calthea from Lowe’s and I want to revive it.…

_Posted by New Plant Mom on 2024-02-22_

Hi guys

Just got this calthea from Lowe’s and I want to revive it. How can I tell if the roots are bad? I’m a new plant mom.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cfvkGnO-To9ce3pOPC8PNEQq6GZvE0UfhuS4ToDQI0Q/LjbMNoVkReiEtuLgQ4AnPg.webp?size=large)

## 10 comments

### IV.Vine commented on 2024-02-22

If the roots are bad, they will look brown, black, soft and squishy, etc. (soft and squishy usually meaning overwatered) (brown and black meaning dry, underwatered,etc.) Welcome to the plant life!

#### New Plant Mom replied on 2024-02-22

Thanks so much !! Can either be fixed ?

#### IV.Vine replied on 2024-02-22

For overwatering, if your plant has drainage holes that js awesome, if not I reccomend repotting into a pot that has them. And definently stop watering as much, give the top layer of the soil enough time to dry.

### IV.Vine commented on 2024-02-22

For underwatering, be sure to add water so it doesn't fully die. If the reason of problems are too much sun, try to find a room or place that has less sunlight so your plant doesn't get all dried up.

### New Plant Mom commented on 2024-02-22

Okay

I’m going to have to take it out of the pot again  
Not sure if is underwater or overwater, because I just got it from Lowe’s yesterday

### Amie206 commented on 2024-02-22

For a calathea it looks GREAT! They can be moody sometimes. Also, don’t repot until you’ve had her a few weeks at home. They need time to acclimate to your environment before repotting.

#### New Plant Mom replied on 2024-02-22

Thanks !!!! I cut a lot off so far. Some of the leaves were brown , crunchy and dead. This is what’s left.

#### Amie206 replied on 2024-02-22

Ahhhhh, so it was more full. Yes, they have a tendency to get crunchy. They like humidity, so either group them with other plants, run a humidifier near by, or create a pebble tray. I have a couple that “like me”. I’ve also killed numerous ones. The other day I bought a new plant and the shop owner said, “treat it like a calathea” and I was like Nooooooooo. 😂. They are so pretty - therefore they are heartbreakers.

#### New Plant Mom replied on 2024-02-22

Oh no ! lol yea I guess I should have read more about them  
But I definitely want to try to revive it

#### Amie206 replied on 2024-02-22

You might also try filtered or distilled water. They can be sensitive to lime and other things that are in municipal tap water

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