How to Grow Calathea lancifolia? Detailed Guide to Propagation Methods

Calathea lancifolia is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant grown mainly for its foliage, and it is usually kept as a potted plant indoors to beautify the home environment. The propagation method for most plants is cuttings, which are not only simple to do but also have a relatively high survival rate. I wonder whether Calathea lancifolia uses the same control methods? And what precautions should be taken?

Propagation Methods for Calathea lancifolia

1. Division propagation

1. Timing of division

It is generally done in late spring and early summer when the temperature is around 20°C, though as long as the temperature and humidity are suitable, it can be done year-round.

2. Division method

First, take the mother plant of Calathea lancifolia out of the pot, and use a sharp knife to cut apart the root clumps that bear stems, leaves or leaf buds.

After dividing, immediately pot them up and water them, place them in a shady spot, control the temperature and humidity well in the early stage, and once new roots grow out, normal care can be carried out.

2. Cutting propagation

1. Timing of cuttings

It can be done whenever the temperature is not lower than 20°C.

2. Cutting method

Generally, the tender tips at the top are used; the cuttings are about 10-15 cm long, and depending on the size of the leaves, one-third or one-half of them is retained.

The cuttings can be treated with indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid or ABT rooting powder, and the cuttings root in about 30-50 days.

After treatment, insert the cuttings into the seedbed, with a plant and row spacing of 5×10 cm being best, and cover them with a film arched shed.

How to Grow Calathea lancifolia

1. Temperature

Calathea lancifolia originates from tropical and subtropical regions and tolerates high temperatures. It is suitable for a growing environment of 20-30°C. In winter, the growing temperature should best be maintained at around 16-18°C.

2. Light

A shade-tolerant plant that likes partial shade, it is best placed in a bright spot indoors. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to strong sun, so as to prevent scorching of the leaves. In summer, shade and ventilation work should be done well.

3. Watering

During the growing period of Calathea lancifolia, water it thoroughly to keep the potting soil moist, while also taking care to avoid waterlogging in the soil, in case it causes root rot or even the death of the plant. Because the leaves of Calathea lancifolia are relatively large and water evaporates quickly, it is necessary to maintain relatively high air humidity around it. You can often mist the leaves to keep the air around the leaves moist, which helps the leaves grow and spread. Once the leaves are found to be curled and shrunken, it means the plant is in a state of water shortage.

4. Fertilizer

Follow the principle of “frequent application, light application.” During the winter dormant period and under continuous high temperatures in summer, stop fertilizing.

What to Do If the Leaves of Calathea lancifolia Turn Yellow

1. Improper lighting

Calathea lancifolia likes shade; if the light is too strong, it may cause the plant's leaves to be scorched, with yellow spots appearing on the leaf surface, causing the leaves of Calathea lancifolia to dry up and turn yellow. In this case, move Calathea lancifolia to a shady spot indoors.

If there is too little light, the leaves cannot get enough light, so they cannot form chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. At this time, it is necessary to supplement sunlight appropriately.

2. Improper watering

The leaves of Calathea lancifolia are relatively large and water evaporates quickly. If the old leaves begin to scorch yellow and fall off, and the leaf tips and edges dry up and curl, it means Calathea lancifolia has been watered too little, and you should water more and mist more to keep the potting soil and the surrounding air moist.

When the young leaves of Calathea lancifolia are dull and lusterless, and the stems and new shoots are shrunken, small and yellow-green, it is very likely caused by overwatering. At this time, place Calathea lancifolia in a ventilated spot, dry out the soil ball, reduce the watering frequency, and water less but keep it moist.

3. Improper fertilizing

During the cultivation of Calathea lancifolia, if the leaf tips of the new leaves appear yellow-brown and the old leaves scorch yellow and fall off, it is because the fertilizer concentration is too high, causing the plant to turn yellow. Fertilizing should be stopped immediately, and if the situation is serious, the potting soil should be replaced and the fertilizer residue on the roots and leaf surfaces of Calathea lancifolia should be washed off.

If fertilizer is applied very rarely or not at all, the yellowing of the leaves may also be due to a lack of nutrients, and the pot should be changed in time, applying light fertilizer frequently.

Does Calathea lancifolia Bloom

Do not be deceived by the appearance of Calathea lancifolia and assume it is only a foliage plant. Calathea lancifolia does bloom, it is just that blooming is relatively rare and uncommon. It is only possible to bloom in a good environment with suitable temperature and humidity, combined with careful care.

Due to the lower temperatures and relatively dry conditions in northern regions, Calathea lancifolia is not easy to bloom under such climatic conditions, while the humid and warm environment of the south makes it relatively easier to induce Calathea lancifolia to bloom.

That is all for the propagation methods and care tips for Calathea lancifolia, and we hope it is helpful to everyone. Although the propagation method for many plants is usually cuttings, if it is Calathea lancifolia, the editor still recommends the division propagation method, because the survival rate of cuttings is far lower than that of division.