How to Grow and Care for the Calathea 'Green Apple' Plant

The Green Apple plant refers to Calathea 'Green Apple', a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant in the Marantaceae family. It is a potted plant with great ornamental value, and many people want to grow one. So,how do you grow a Green Apple plant?

1. Soil

The soil for growing a Green Apple plant should be loose, fertile, well-drained, acidic leaf mold or peat soil rich in organic matter. It can be mixed from humus soil and compost plus one-third river sand or wood shavings, with a soil pH between 5.5-7.2.

2. Temperature

The Green Apple plant likes a warm environment, fears high temperatures, fears the cold, and cannot tolerate intense heat. The optimum growing temperature is 18°C to 30°C. When the temperature exceeds 25°C in late spring and early summer, shade it with a frame; in winter the temperature must not be lower than 10°C. If it falls below 5°C, the plant will suffer cold damage, so keep it warm.

3. Light

The Green Apple plant likes a semi-shaded environment and avoids strong direct sunlight. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, shade it with a frame; at other times it can be placed in a spot with plenty of bright indirect light. The light must not be too strong, lest the leaves be scorched, but it must not be too weak either, lest the leaves become thin and dull with no luster.

4. Watering

The Green Apple plant likes a humid environment. During the growing season, in addition to watering once a day, mist the leaves and surrounding environment so that the relative air humidity stays above 85% to 90%. In winter, watering should be strictly controlled; just keep the potting soil slightly dry to avoid waterlogging that causes root rot. When new leaves sprout, do not water too much; gradually increase the amount of water as the new leaves multiply.

5. Fertilizing

During the growing period, apply diluted organic fertilizer once a week. When the summer temperature is above 32°C, or when the temperature is below 18°C in late autumn and early winter, stop fertilizing to avoid fertilizer damage.

6. Pests and Diseases

Common diseases of the Green Apple plant include leaf spot and rust, and common pests include scale insects, whiteflies and red spider mites. Spray promptly to control them.