How to Grow Calathea lancifolia? Care Methods and Points to Note

Calathea lancifolia is a plant grown mainly for its foliage, which stays evergreen all year round, and the leaves also feature some speckled markings that look very distinctive. Calathea lancifolia is now attracting many people to grow it, but before growing it, most people probably want to know about its growing tips!

How to Grow Calathea lancifolia

1. Temperature. Calathea lancifolia originated in Brazil and other places, and is a tropical plant that prefers high temperatures and humid environments, with the optimal growing temperature kept at around 25°C. In summer, place it in a shady spot, and in winter, be sure to protect it from the cold.

2. Light. Calathea lancifolia grows best under diffused light and scattered light. In summer, direct sunlight can very easily scorch the leaves. If leaf scorch occurs, move it immediately and remove the scorched leaves.

Calathea lancifolia Care Methods

1. Water. The most suitable growing humidity for Calathea lancifolia is around 80%. Suitable air humidity is good for the plant's growth, while air humidity that is too high or too low will cause unhealthy leaf growth. During the growing season, water frequently, and in high temperatures, mist the leaf surface often. The best watering method is to spray with water in the morning, water the potting soil at noon or in the afternoon, and water the whole plant in the evening.

2. Soil. The soil environment that Calathea lancifolia likes to grow in has already been described above. The soil for Calathea lancifolia needs to be fertile, well-draining and loose, and generally leaf mold or coarse media is used.

3. Fertilizing. The fertilizing principle for Calathea lancifolia: apply frequently and lightly, and during the peak growing season, fertilizing about once every two weeks is best. The fertilizer should mainly be nitrogen fertilizer, though phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can also be used; nitrogen fertilizer can make the leaves of Calathea lancifolia more attractive.

Points to Note When Growing Calathea lancifolia

1. In summer, prevent direct sunlight, and in winter, take care to protect it from the cold; you can move it to a wind-free, relatively warm indoor spot to overwinter.

2. When watering, be careful not to overwater, otherwise it will cause root rot and even lead to disease. When the temperature is relatively low, pay attention to keeping the soil dry.

3. The soil for growing Calathea lancifolia must not become compacted, nor should waterlogging occur.

4. The fertilizer concentration for Calathea lancifolia must not be too strong, otherwise it will scorch the leaves and may even kill the whole plant. Do not fertilize in winter when the plant stops growing, or in summer when it is too hot.

Pests and Diseases of Calathea lancifolia and Their Control Methods

1. Scale insects. Control method: according to the occurrence of scale insects, spray pesticide during the peak nymph stage. At this time most nymphs have just hatched, the body surface has not yet secreted wax, and the scale shell has not yet formed, so pesticide can still easily kill them. Spray once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays. You can use a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% dichlorvos, or a 3000-fold dilution of 2.5% deltamethrin for spraying control.

2. Red spider mites. Control method: keep the environment well ventilated and keep the environmental humidity above 40%. Frequently spraying the undersides of the leaves with water can control the reproduction of red spider mites. Because pesticides find it difficult to kill the eggs, control is generally carried out at the adult and nymph stages after the eggs hatch. You can use a 1000-fold dilution of 20% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate for spraying and killing.

3. Leaf spot disease. Control method: apply more base fertilizer to strengthen disease resistance; promptly remove diseased leaves to reduce the source of the pathogen; start spraying before the disease occurs with a 500-600-fold dilution of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder, or spray a 1000-fold dilution of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder plus a 1000-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder for control.

The care methods for Calathea lancifolia are actually not difficult. Temperature and light are the essential conditions affecting its growth, so management in these aspects should be strengthened. When growing it, you also need to do a good job with fertilizer, water, and pest and disease control. Only by doing this work well can Calathea lancifolia grow better and better.