Calathea care: light, water, and pet safety

Calathea and Goeppertia spp.

Care table

Light	Medium light to bright indirect light. Medium to bright indirect. Direct sun fades and burns leaves.
Water	Likes evenly moist soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity	Wants 50 percent or more
Repotting	Spring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Keep soil lightly moist, not wet. Dry heated air is the main winter problem. Group plants or use a humidifier.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Calathea

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Curling leaves, crispy edges: Dry air or dry soil.
Brown spots or edges: Hard or chlorinated tap water and salt buildup. Try filtered or rain water.
Fine webbing, speckled leaves: Spider mites, worse in dry heated air. Rinse leaves and raise humidity.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool