Stop only growing pothos - this shade-loving, easy-care foliage plant has leaves bigger than your palm
This foliage plant is called Calathea orbifolia, and because its leaves are round like apples, it is also known as the green apple calathea. Its leaves are quite distinctive, with silver-gray stripes on them, very beautiful, and each leaf is even wider than a palm, making it both attractive and easy to grow at home.
Calathea orbifolia is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant in the Marantaceae family, with fresh green leaves, suitable as a medium-sized potted plant to decorate rooms, and highly ornamental.
Key care tips for Calathea orbifolia
About light
Calathea orbifolia is a shade-loving plant, and its leaves are delicate, so direct sunlight easily scorches them, and even light through glass or a screen window is no good; normally just place it in a spot at home with good indirect light for care.
About watering
Calathea orbifolia loves a humid environment, and because its leaves are large, water evaporates quickly, so besides watering each time, you should also mist the leaves. Generally, water when you see the potting soil is dry, and keep it slightly moist at ordinary times.
It is summer now, so for care, water 2~3 times a day. The best watering method is to spray the leaf surface in the morning, water the soil surface at noon or in the afternoon, and water the whole plant in the evening, but be careful that the soil does not become too sticky or too wet, otherwise it easily causes root rot and leads to disease.
About fertilizing
For fertilizing Calathea orbifolia, you can follow the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently, using a diluted liquid fertilizer once a week, but when the temperature is too high or too low, it is not suitable to fertilize, so as to avoid root rot.
Its root system is relatively sensitive, so it is recommended to use light fertilizer. It is recommended to use a little liquid fertilizer each time you water, or spray leaf fertilizer once a week. When using cake fertilizer and farmyard manure, use small amounts multiple times.
About scorched edges
Some flower lovers who grow Calathea orbifolia feel that it always tends to get scorched edges. In fact, scorched leaf edges are often caused by insufficient environmental humidity, and you usually need to spray more water on the leaves and the surrounding environment. Also, direct sunlight can cause scorched leaf edges, or too much fertilizer; all these problems need attention.