How to Grow and Care for Calathea Fasciata

Calathea Fasciata Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a calathea fasciata:

• Locate in a partial shade position.
• Provide higher-than-average humidity levels.
• Plant in loamy, well-drained soil or African violet-type potting mix.
• Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
• Fertilize monthly during the growing season to promote healthy foliage.

Light

While caltheas are often touted as ideal plants for low-light bathrooms, that doesn’t mean you can stick your calathea fasciata in a room with a tiny window that hardly gets any sun. In their natural habitat, these tropical plants receive dappled light from under the tree canopies above.

Steer clear of south-facing windowsills, as harsh sun rays can scorch the plant and cause fading of the foliage variegation. Too much shade results in less vigorous growth, and the striking markings won’t develop in young plants and can fade in mature ones. Pick a spot in your home that receives bright but indirect light in the earlier hours of the day from an east-, south- or west-facing window. And remember to rotate your plant to promote even growth.

Soil

Your calathea fasciata will appreciate rich, loamy, well-drained soil that retains sufficient moisture. When growing indoors, opt for a potting mix for African violets or make up your own lightweight, airy blend. Mixing orchid bark, perlite, and a standard peaty potting mixture can work well.

Water

Getting the balance right with watering your sensitive calathea fasciata is tricky. Overwatering leads to root rot, but if you let them dry out too much, the foliage rapidly turns crispy.

Regularly check the soil of your plant rather than watering on a strict schedule. Stick your finger in the soil to test moisture levels, and irrigate once the first inch is dry. A moisture meter will provide even more accurate readings.

If in doubt, err towards underwatering rather than overwatering. Crispy leaves are better than death by root rot because of sitting in soggy soil.

Because Calathea fasciata may be sensitive to some chemicals in tap water, some enthusiasts use distilled water to prevent the risk of brown leaf edges.

Temperature and Humidity

Mimicking the natural tropical temperatures and humidity levels they need to thrive in can be the most challenging part of keeping calathea fasciata. Ideal temperatures are between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit but won’t look their best if it stays this cool for long periods. And sudden temperature swings or drafty conditions aren’t this plant’s friend.

While calathea fasciata can handle humidity levels as low as 40%, ideally, you want to offer at least 50% to 60% humidity to see them look their healthiest. A humidifier is a good investment if you have a large tropical plant collection. Alternatively, group tropical species together to increase humidity levels, and place your plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water—making sure the plant’s roots aren’t touching the water.

Fertilizer

The foliage is the star of the show for calathea fasciata. To help it look its best, feed a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season. If you select a nitrogen-rich formula designed for houseplants with dense foliage, all the better. Don’t feed in the winter months when the plant stops growing.

Pruning

Thankfully, there’s one area you don’t have to worry about too much with the calathea fasciata—pruning. You only need to trim off any unhealthy leaves to keep the plant looking tidy and direct energy to healthy new growth.

Propagating Calathea Fasciata

If you want to add more calathea fasciata to your collection or gift one to a friend, try propagating a healthy, mature plant by root division. Do this during its active growth period in the spring or summer. Here’s how to give this a whirl:

• Water your plant well the day before division to lessen the chance of transplant shock.
• Gently dig up the plant from the soil or loosen it from its pot. Leaving some soil around the roots means there is less chance of damaging them.
• Divide the root ball into two sections. Using a sterile, sharp garden knife can help make a clean division with minimal root damage.
• Repot the two sections ensuring you mimic the successful growing conditions from before, and keep the potting mix evenly moist.

Potting and Repotting Calathea Fasciata

Calathea fasciata aren’t fast-growers, so you should only have to repot your plant every few years. If you see the roots appearing out of the pot’s drainage holes, you’ll know the plant is becoming root-bound, and it’s time to make the move.

Pick a pot that is no more than 2 inches wider in diameter than the original container. If you go too big, the plant’s roots will struggle to take up all the moisture in the soil, increasing the chance of root rot. Water your plant well a couple of days before repotting to reduce the possibility of causing stress.

Don’t try to remove all the soil from the root ball of these sensitive plants when repotting. Simply loosen it from the original pot and fill around the soil that comes with the root ball when you pop it into its new pot. Adding an organic fertilizer, like fish emulsion, can be helpful at this point.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Fungus gnats can be a problem for humidity-loving calathea fasciata. Providing adequate air circulation and avoiding overwatering helps to prevent infestations, and prompt treatment usually means you can eradicate these pests from your plant. However, keeping infested specimens away from other plants is best to prevent the insects from spreading.

Also, watch out for spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. If you spot spider mites, this is usually a sign that your plant needs more humidity, as these pests thrive in drier environments.

Common Problems With Calathea Fasciata

When it comes to keeping notoriously difficult calathea alive, it’s all about spotting the early warning signs that you need to tweak the care or conditions you are offering.  Below are some things to look out for.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves on your calathea fasciata isn’t always something to panic about. Sometimes, old leaves will turn yellow before they drop. However, if new foliage is discoloring, it could be a sign you are overwatering the plant or that the water is too hard, and it would be better to substitute it with a distilled source.

Brown Tips or Curling Leaves

Crispy, browning leaf tips or edges are among the first signs that you aren’t offering enough water or the humidity levels aren’t high enough for your calathea fasciata. The foliage might also curl unattractively. Too much intense sunlight can also lead to leaf scorch and unsightly browning of the stunning foliage.

Drooping Leaves

Even with the healthiest specimens, a little leaf drooping during the day is possible. If your calathea fasciata perks back again at night, there’s little to be concerned about. If long-term drooping or leaf drop occurs, this is usually a sign that your plant needs more water or higher humidity levels. It’s also worth evaluating the amount of light your plant is receiving. If the spot is too shady, this can also contribute to dropping.