Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for Calathea makoyana

Calathea makoyana is a plant introduced to China from abroad. It not only has the benefit of purifying the air, but is also very beautiful; its leaves look like feathers from a distance, so it is deeply loved by people. Many people want to buy it to grow, but before growing it, what everyone is surely most concerned about is how to grow it.

How to grow Calathea makoyana

1. Calathea makoyana likes a semi-shady environment and dislikes direct sunlight; it adapts to growing in a warm, humid environment. When cared for at home, it should be given a certain degree of shade, with the temperature controlled at 12-29°C, and in winter the temperature maintained at 16-18°C.

2. Spring and summer are its peak growing seasons and it needs relatively high air humidity, so it can be misted in time.

3. Calathea makoyana does not have high requirements for soil; ordinary loose soil is enough, but it must be kept moderately moist. During the growing season, fertilize about once every 2 weeks. In winter the soil can be slightly dry and cool, and the frequency of fertilization should be reduced.

4. Calathea makoyana can be propagated by methods such as root division and cuttings, which are simple to perform and have a high survival rate.

How to grow Calathea makoyana

1. Soil selection. For potted Calathea makoyana, it is best to use loose, fertile, well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic loam. Generally, it can be mixed from 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part peat or sawdust, and 1 part sand, with a small amount of soybean cake added as base fertilizer. Avoid heavy garden soil. When potting, first place a 3 cm thick layer of coarse sand at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to facilitate drainage.

2. Water requirements. During the growing period, give sufficient water. Especially in summer and autumn, in addition to keeping the potting soil moist at all times, it is also necessary to frequently spray water on the leaves to cool and moisturize; it requires relatively high air humidity, preferably reaching 70% to 80%; avoid dry air and dry potting soil, but it must not become waterlogged. After late autumn, water should be controlled to help it resist cold and survive winter. In winter, maintain a dry environment; if too wet, the basal leaves will turn yellow and scorch, affecting its ornamental value.

3. Light requirements. During the growing season from May to September, it should be placed in a shaded or semi-shaded spot, maintaining a light transmission rate of 40%-60%, avoiding direct sunlight. Excessive light or dry air can easily cause scorched leaf margins and tips and dull, lusterless patterns on the leaf surface; however, the light should not be too weak either. If kept for a long time in a dark room with low temperature and insufficient light, it will also grow weakly, which is unfavorable for leaf color formation and causes it to lose the unique metallic luster of the leaves. In winter, it can receive direct sunlight through glass.

4. Fertilization requirements. When Calathea makoyana lacks fertilizer, the plant is obviously stunted, the leaf color is dull, and the golden luster is not vivid. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 2:1:1, which can make the leaf color glossy and vivid. Absolutely avoid an excessively high nitrogen ratio. For example, spraying a 0.2% liquid fertilizer directly on the leaf surface every 10 days is extremely beneficial for budding and growth. Stop fertilizing in winter and summer.

Precautions for Calathea makoyana

1. Calathea makoyana has relatively shallow roots, so it is best to choose a wide, shallow pot. This will not affect root growth, and during the day when the leaves spread out it will not look top-heavy. The potting soil should preferably be loose, breathable, well-drained, nutrient-rich, and slightly acidic.

2. Calathea makoyana is generally repotted in spring when dividing the plant, once every 1-2 years. When repotting, new culture soil must be added, and residual roots and dead leaves should be cut off, then replanted to facilitate growth.

3. Calathea makoyana has relatively few pests and diseases, but if ventilation is poor and the air is dry, scale insects may still occur. A series of imidacloprid pesticides should be sprayed for control.

Cutting propagation method for Calathea makoyana

1. Cutting propagation of Calathea makoyana should begin in summer. First select young branches with about 3 leaves at the base as cuttings, or use stolons as cuttings.

2. Next, mix peat soil and river sand evenly, and keep the environment moist; after 5 weeks, they can take root and sprout. Note that the growing soil selected should preferably be loose, rich in humus, and well-drained to promote growth.

3. Finally, after they sprout and grow, they can be divided and potted. When potting, first place about 3 cm of coarse sand at the bottom of the pot in advance to facilitate drainage, then place it in a warm spot for normal care. During cutting propagation, note to frequently spray water on the leaves to keep the leaf surface moist and the color vivid. This also prevents the leaves from turning yellow.

The growing methods for Calathea makoyana are actually not difficult; generally you can start from several aspects such as temperature, soil, fertilizer and water, and light. If you want it to grow better, you can choose the cutting method for propagation. There are some specific practices above that everyone can pay more attention to.