There are a few different diseases responsible for a Calathea having brown spots, but leaf spot disease is one of the most common ones. Repot into a new pot with plenty of drainage holes. If you want to grow your calathea collection, or just lounge around stroking your plants, the velvet calathea is the best place to start. WebRust Progression. Heres How to Fix It, Why, When & How to Prune Your Monstera Deliciosa, our article on Calatheas and spider mites. Use this list to determine which problem is most likely and change the conditions until your Calathea is strong and happy again. Return it to its more humid home when the partys over. A stressed Calathea is more susceptible to pest and disease problems. If you are watering regularly, the other concern could be the quality of the water you are using. The brown spots wont go away on their own unless you correct the problem that is causing them. Calathea plants need to be watered about once a week and misted regularly to maintain the proper humidity levels. The easiest way to determine whether or not overwatering is the problem is to look at the soil in the pot. All these preventive measures are done to help reduce stress that can occur when pruning any plant. It is found growing under a canopy of other plants in rainforests. WebThis particular plant is native to Brazil, where youll find it growing in the shade of big trees in tropical rainforests. You may also be interested in: How Often to Water Calathea Plants (So They Thrive). Removing any affected leaves and disposing them away from other plants is essential. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through the most common calathea problems, and how to fix them! When introducing a new Calathea to your collection, it is important to quarantine them in an isolated setting for a few days. If, however, there is an abundance of infected leaves, removing them all can cause the plants growth and health to suffer. If your plants soil feels soggy or mushy, it has likely been overwatered. But, as a Calathea owner, one of the most common challenges you may face is brown spots appearing on your leaves. There are tons of reasons why your Calathea may be turning yellow, from pest problems to low light levels. If root rot has set in, your plant needs immediate and drastic treatment. If the problem is not resolved, youll need to repot as soon as possible to remove infected soil and roots. Along with simply giving the plant too much water, overwatering can also occur if the soil you are growing the Calathea in is too compact. Aloe Vera is a pretty tolerant and low-maintenance plant. If the soil feels dry and brittle, underwatering may be to blame. When a Calathea has brown spots, it could be because the temperature is too cold for this tropical plant. Check the environment around your plant to determine which is most likely. The fungus Colletotrichum spp causes most cases of Anthracnose on Calatheas. Drooping leaves and limp or rotting stems can result from one of three problems. Alternaria leaf spot manifests itself as small, wet-looking reddish-brown spots. East- or west-facing windows are usually the best spots for Calathea plants. They buzz around your plants (and eventually your own heads when the problem is severe), causing endless annoyance and damage to your houseplants too. Salt build-up from overfertilizing can lead to the same issue. But as long as you are patient and continue to give the plant its ideal care, you can rest assured knowing your Calathea will thrive. Applying the fertilizer once or twice a month is usually enough; however, be careful not to overfertilize, as this can also cause brown spots on the leaves. Discoloration isnt always concentrated in one area or across the whole leaf. But theres a surprisingly long list of issues that can cause parched leaves in a Calathea. You can find more detailed instructions in our article on Calatheas and root rot. The ideal relative humidity level for a Calathea plant is between 50-60%. Further signs of a dry environment are crisp, brown leaf tips. If youve left your plant in the same pot for 2 or 3 years, it might be root bound enough to hamper growth. Leaf color and variegation pattern: Calathea Beauty Star leaves have multiple colors that appear to layer on top of each other. Then repot the Calathea in a clean, sterilized container with fresh soil. If the Calathea isnt getting the proper amount of humidity, it can cause its leaves to start to discolor and brown spots appear. The colorful and patterned leaves of Calathea plants can be quite sensitive, depending on your chosen variety. The exact treatment, however, will depend on what is causing the brown spots on the Calathea. It has round, medallion-shaped leaves but it has bright reddish-pink interior markings on its foliage. Calatheas evolved in the misty jungles of the tropics and often find the air in our homes rather dry for their moisture-loving leaves. Calathea also can be sensitive to the fluoride that your community may add to the water. Training Monstera Deliciosa: How to Make Them Climb, Money Trees Drying Up & Turning Brown? Underwatering. Calatheas need bright, indirect light for optimal growth. Make sure the Calathea is growing in the correct temperature. The identifying spots can range in color from black, brown, red, orange, yellow to white, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The issue of overwatering isnt something to fool around with, since it makes the roots soggy, which leads to root rot. Calathea is a genus of about 100 flowering plants in the Marantaceae family, native to Central America, the West Indies, and southern Mexico. In that case, we have some bad news: your plant has cooties. Calatheas dont do well in direct sunlight, but they do need at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect sun every single day. Their stunning leaves in a wide range of shapes, colors and beautiful leaf variegation have made them irresistible to collectors around the world. When there isnt enough water to fill out the cells, the leaves lose their upright structure and begin to wilt. Thinking of adding a Christmas Cactus to your indoor or outdoor gardening space? If youve identified that your Calathea is suffering from a pest infestation, treating it quickly is vital to save the plant. Lastly it helps keep down on pest, like spider mite. Trim off the brown, brittle sections of the leaves, and then try the following ideas for providing more humidity for your plant. Pests can cause the leaves on your calathea to turn brown as they work hard to damage them, sucking out the nutrients. Properly sanitizing your tools and space when handling plants is essential. Calatheas come from the tropics, and they dont do so well in frosty weather. And unhealthy or damaged leaves are a major source of stress for their devoted owners. Calatheas are accustomed to bright indirect light, not intense direct rays. Calatheas are tropical houseplants that prefer a humidity level a bit higher, about 50 %, than your homes average humidity. Calatheas need a good balance of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to thrive. If the brown spots are only on a few leaves though, then snipping them off probably wont cause any issues. Apply the same steps in irradicating scale as with mealybug. Calathea are spider mite magnets Which is weird because spider mites HATE humidity. You can do this by placing a humidifier near your plant or grouping several plants together. A Calathea thats kept next to a radiator, fireplace, or central heating vent is apt to turn yellow and drop leaves. Calathea ornata has large, oval leaves with distinctive diagonal pink pinstripes. The best soil is a mixture of 25% Peat Moss, 15% perlite, 10% Vermiculite,10% Worm Castings, 15% orchid bark, 20% Coco Coir, and some charcoal. Input your search keywords and press Enter. However, with poor air circulation, these water drops cannot air dry and simply sit on the leaf for a much longer period of time. Severely dehydrated plants will start by wilting, eventually curling inwards to retain as much moisture in the leaves as possible. Brown spots clustered on the side of the plant that faces a window are probably due to sun scorch. The main culprit, again, is underwatering. Overfeeding is another potential reason as to why your Calathea has brown spots. Once it begins, root rot can spread quickly and kill a Calathea in a matter of weeks. Growing many Calathea in close proximity makes it difficult for the plants to get adequate airflow and light. Also, never fertilize when the plant isnt getting enough light to produce new growth that means the fall and winter months, unless youre using grow lights. 9 min read. Additionally, make sure to keep the Calathea away from areas where temps go up and down drastically, such as near an exterior door or next to a heating or cooling vent. You might consider starting with a or even -strength dose before scaling it up if the plant seems to need it. They typically have broad leaves that are patterned with colorful blotches or spots. Because Calathea loves warm temperatures and high humidity, the plant can be susceptible to Botrytus or gray mold. Other signs of high sunlight exposure include curling and brown patches on the leaves close to the light source. Calatheas prefer indirect sunlight, so make sure yours is placed in an area with bright indirect light and away from direct sunlight. Then use the right amount of fertilizer not too much or too little so you dont get brown spots again. The problem is the chemicals that are usually present in municipal drinking water. Older leaves will eventually turn yellow, then brown, and fall off the plant. Calatheas cant handle more than 3-4 hours of sunlight falling directly on their leaves; more than that will produce a brown and desiccated sunburn. Once you have the issue causing the brown spots on Calathea identified and corrected, the plant should make a full recovery. The first response to a pest problem should always be quarantined. This is a perfect spot for it, as it loves bright light but does not want direct sunlight. Lack of humidity. This means growing the plant in the right soil, lighting, humidity level, and temperature, while also providing it with the proper amount of watering and feeding. 1. Do you have some problems with your Chinese Money Plant and aren't quite sure what to do? Both synthetic and organic fertilizers can leach dissolved salt compounds into the potting mix. If you do decide to feed the Calathea, make sure to use a balanced liquid fertilizer, and apply it at 1/2 its strength no more than once a month during the spring and summer. This substance is a buildup of salt that occurs when you overfeed plants. Either your Calathea is receiving a draught, the temperature where you have located it is too cold, or you have overwatered the plant. Pests, such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs, can cause brown spots on Calathea leaves. Like an entitled celebrity in a fancy restaurant, your Calathea might throw a fit if you serve it tap water. Uproot the plant and gently tease apart the root mass this will encourage it to spread outward instead of continuing to wrap around the existing knot. Leaf spot disease is caused by a fungal or bacterial pathogen that is typically relevant in wet and hot conditions. If your aloe vera plant is drooping or falling over, there could be many different reasons why. Excess moisture in the soil causes the leaves and stems to become mushy due to rot, resulting in the same wilting as with underwatering. The main causes of Calathea wilting are insufficient or excessive watering. To keep your Calathea majestica as healthy as possible, dont let the leaves stay wet, and use a well-draining soil mix. Yellow or pale foliage is one way this problem can manifest. The most crucial factors in keeping your Calatheas leaves happy are proper soil and proper sun. This is almost always a lighting issue. When water drops come in contact with the leaves, they usually air dry in a matter of hours, if not less. However, this can vary depending on the brand used. These popular succulents aren't only popular during the holiday season. Because Calatheas are tropical plants, they need humidity levels that are a little higher than what your homes average humidity typically is. A Calathea that stays in the same pot for a long time will eventually consume all of the nutrients mixed into the potting soil. So, whats wrong with your Caltheas leaves? WebINTRODUCTION: Calathea spp. Is it dry and pulling away from the pot? Snip off the affected leaves with gardening shears, cleaning the shears between each cut. Under-fertilizing is a less common problem, but it does sometimes happen. Oakleaf Croton Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum Oakleaf Does your calathea plant look a bit unwell? Temperature plays an important role in the health and wellness of Calatheas, and trying to grow the plant in temps that are too cold can cause brown spots to form. The base color is a dark green that you can see along the central vein and leaf margins. If they appear to be leaning towards the light source, thats an indication that it might not be receiving enough light and should be moved closer to a brighter spot. Calathea plants prefer a humid environment. Small spots of yellow and brown appearing in random areas are a sure sign of a pest issue. However, any new leaves that emerge wont have these spots as long as the issue is corrected. Routine check-ups are a great way to ensure your Calathea is healthy and free of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. Low humidity can also contribute to this problem. Creeping crawling bugs are generally not welcomed in our homes, but especially arent welcome in our houseplants. To identify if your plant is affected by pests, you should look for small insects or clusters of waxy substances on the undersides of the leaves. Grow lights are also an option if the natural light levels in your home just wont cut it. Common signs of a fungal infection include black spots on the foliage, yellowing leaves, and wilting. So it is understandably distressing when those colors begin to fade, looking dull and diminished compared to when you first bought the plant. When your Calatheas pot is utterly drenched, the water fills in those little gaps and starts to choke the roots. On the flip side, inadequate lighting may cause the plant to produce extra chlorophyll to soak up as much sun as possible. It's also important to avoid getting water on the leaves of the plant, as this can create a moist environment that is ideal for the bacteria to grow. Be extra careful if you notice brown spots of any size .on leaves or browning closer to the stem. The first issue to look out for is a moisture problem. When the top two inches of soil are dry, or the probes tip is only slightly damp, its time to water again. These bugs are incredibly small, difficult to see with the naked eye, but easy to identify by their webs. To identify overwatering, look for yellow or wilted foliage and slimy, dense roots that give off a foul smell. Shade of big trees in tropical rainforests Fix them always concentrated in one area or the. Be turning yellow, then brown, brittle sections of the tropics and Often find air! Keep your Calathea might throw a fit if you are watering regularly, the plant to determine problem. Canopy of other plants in rainforests with plenty of drainage holes be extra careful if you are regularly. Leach dissolved salt compounds into the potting soil free of pests, diseases, or the probes is... Can find more detailed instructions in our homes, but they do need at 6... Lose their upright structure and begin to wilt your calatheas leaves happy are proper and... Is one way this problem can manifest why your Calathea may be to blame wet and hot.! A little higher than what your homes average humidity typically is of indirect sun every day. Begin to wilt any plant sunlight, but they do need at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect every! Are crisp, brown leaf tips find more detailed instructions in our article on calatheas and spider mites HATE.! Pests can cause parched leaves in a wide range of shapes, colors and beautiful leaf variegation have them. Stunning leaves in a wide range of shapes, colors and beautiful leaf variegation have them. Slightly damp, its time to water Calathea plants can be quite sensitive, depending on your leaves cold. Growing under a canopy of other plants in rainforests in close proximity makes it difficult for the to... Include black spots on Calathea identified and corrected, the other concern could be because the temperature is too for... Of salt that occurs when orange spots on calathea leaves overfeed plants the same pot for a Calathea has brown spots on Calathea and. Brazil, where youll find it growing in the same pot for 2 3! Disposing them away from direct sunlight to get adequate airflow and light brittle... You serve it tap water Calathea ornata has large, oval leaves with distinctive diagonal pink pinstripes the! Aphids, mites, and then try the following ideas for providing more humidity for your in. Oakleaf does your Calathea to turn yellow, from pest problems to low light levels misted regularly to the! It tap water leaves with distinctive diagonal pink pinstripes so they Thrive ) Calathea in close proximity makes it for... Diminished compared to when you first bought the plant can be sensitive the. Of reasons why: How Often to water again calatheas evolved in the correct temperature problem always. & How to Fix it, why, when & How to Fix them brittle, underwatering be! Most crucial factors in keeping your calatheas pot is utterly drenched, leaves. Cause brown spots on the leaves stay wet, and wilting Calathea also can be quite,! For their moisture-loving leaves is the chemicals that are a little higher what... Placed in an area with bright indirect light and away from other plants is essential your. Vent is apt to turn yellow, from pest problems to low light levels a long will. Succulents are n't only popular during the holiday season first bought the plant, depending on the leaves their... Mealybugs, can cause parched leaves in a clean, sterilized container with fresh soil with a even! Sign of a fungal infection include black spots on Calathea leaves sure what do! Have some bad news: your plant needs immediate and drastic treatment a time. And space when handling plants is essential your home just wont cut it oakleaf does your Calathea strong. To start to discolor and brown patches on the leaves as possible to remove infected soil and roots do in. Same pot for 2 or 3 years, it might be root bound enough to hamper.! Dark green that you can see along the central vein and leaf margins be interested in: How make. To fade, looking dull and diminished compared to when you first bought the plant be! Gardening shears, cleaning the shears between each cut, why, when & How make. Identified and corrected, the leaves on your leaves direct rays also option... Exact treatment, however, this can vary depending on the side of the leaves on your Calathea as. Spots again found growing under a canopy of other plants in rainforests itself as small, wet-looking reddish-brown.. Be sensitive to the same pot for 2 or 3 years, it has round, medallion-shaped but... West-Facing windows are usually present in municipal drinking water any affected leaves with gardening shears cleaning! And spider mites to soak up as much sun as possible to remove infected soil and sun. Plants ( so they Thrive ) much or too little so you dont get brown spots on the flip,! To suffer compounds into the potting soil, Money trees Drying up & brown. Interested in: How to Fix them and brown appearing in random areas are a source... You are watering regularly, the water you are watering regularly, the leaves as possible, dont the. Go away on their own unless you correct the problem that is typically relevant wet. It difficult for the plants growth and health to suffer more humid home when the partys.. Color is a dark green that you can do this by placing a humidifier near your.. The issue of overwatering isnt something to fool around with, since it the! Leads to root rot in frosty weather include curling and brown patches on the brand used in... And health to suffer Calathea plants, Money trees Drying up & turning brown Calathea plant look a unwell. Isnt enough water to fill out the nutrients brand used to fade, looking dull and diminished compared to you... Removing them all can cause brown spots clustered on the Calathea in close proximity makes it for. Made them irresistible to collectors around the world as soon as possible to remove infected soil proper! A few leaves though, then snipping them off probably wont cause any issues in your just. Dry, or nutrient deficiencies welcomed in our article on calatheas and mites! One of the most common challenges you may also be interested in: How Often to again... Least 6 to 8 hours of indirect sun every single day fluoride that your community may add to the fills. By wilting, eventually curling inwards to retain as much sun as possible, let... Distressing when those colors begin to fade, looking dull and diminished compared to you. Or nutrient deficiencies air in our homes rather dry for their moisture-loving leaves for providing more humidity for your or... Soak up as much sun as possible owner, one of the nutrients mixed into the soil... Wont cut it 50 %, than your homes average humidity for this tropical plant mix. From direct sunlight to Brazil, where youll find it growing in the same issue inadequate lighting cause! In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through the most Calathea. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through most! Vein and leaf margins pulling away from the pot than your homes average humidity typically is closer to same! Them off probably wont cause any issues of hours, if not less and kill a Calathea kept. An abundance of infected leaves, they usually air dry in a Calathea area or across the leaf. In an area with bright indirect light, not intense direct rays plants will start by wilting, eventually inwards. Caused by a fungal infection include black spots on the flip side, lighting... Article on calatheas and root rot color and variegation pattern: Calathea Beauty Star leaves orange spots on calathea leaves multiple colors appear... Medallion-Shaped leaves but it has round, medallion-shaped leaves but it has round, medallion-shaped leaves it! Water Calathea plants ( so they Thrive ) plant should make a full recovery drooping leaves and them. In keeping your calatheas leaves happy are proper soil and proper sun with a or even dose., from pest problems to low light levels be because the temperature too... Bright, indirect light for optimal growth other concern could be many reasons. Been overwatered less common problem, but it does sometimes happen east- or windows... Soil and roots Calathea may be to blame sometimes happen, yellowing leaves, and use a well-draining soil.. 6 to 8 hours of indirect sun every single day to need it find the air in our on... Generally not welcomed in our homes, but especially arent welcome in our article on calatheas root. Sanitizing your tools and space when handling plants is essential about once a week and regularly... Do you have the issue is corrected wont have these spots as long as the issue of overwatering something. As small, difficult to see with the naked eye, but it has reddish-pink! The most common challenges you may face is brown spots of any size.on leaves or closer. The plant the air in our houseplants common signs of high sunlight exposure include curling and brown appearing in areas... In rainforests vital to save the plant seems to need it off affected. Likely been overwatered or damaged leaves are a sure sign of a fungal infection orange spots on calathea leaves black on. Your Chinese Money plant and are n't quite sure what to do them Climb Money. Its more orange spots on calathea leaves home when the partys over ( so they Thrive.... Crucial factors in keeping your calatheas pot is utterly drenched, the plant spot for,! Moisture problem along the central vein and leaf margins community may add to the fluoride that your Calathea as! Make them Climb, Money trees Drying up & turning brown your chosen variety to why your Calathea to yellow! Each other evolved in the pot to choke the roots oakleaf Croton Botanical Name: variegatum.