Complete Care and Tips for Calathea Lancifolia 

Calathea Lancifolia is a houseplant which has upright, lance-shaped leaves. It also has long wavy edges which form in clumps. If you want to have this plant at your house, you need to know the care for this plant as you can read below.

Light Requirements

As explained on the Smart Garden Guide site, Calathea Lancifolia needs medium to low light. You have to make sure that the plant gets indirect light because if it gets direct sun, it will quickly scorch it or the leaves will fade in bright light.

If you find that its leaves fade, you have to lower the light. The colors of this plant are deepest when it is trying to conserve lumens. So, you have to find an area which has a light level which can maintain its colour, but also can keep it growing and healthy. You can put the plant in an area where you can read comfortably.

It is suitable for the plant to be put in an area with partial or dappled shade. If there is mild early sun, it can be tolerated. An east-facing window offers a great exposure where it has gentle direct light each morning and a full day of indirect light. If you want to put your Calathea Lancifolia in the west-facing window, it is also good. However, when late afternoon comes, you have to move it away from the window to avoid hot sunlight.

If you put the plant in the north-facing windows, your plant will get the least amount of light so that you may have to add supplemental lighting. If you put the plant in the south-facing window, it is tricky because you have to protect it with the sheer curtains or move it to avoid direct sun.

Watering

You have to be able to keep the medium of the plant slightly moist at all times. Well-draining soil is needed for this plant so that it can absorb water well. The general rule for watering Calathea Lancifolia is to water it when the top inch of soil is dry.

Here are some tips about watering Calathea Lancifolia according to the Smart Garden Guide.

• You have to water less in winter, but make sure you do not let it dry out completely.
• If you find that the soil becomes too dry, you must soak it thoroughly. Note that peat moss is hard to rehydrate.
• If you are suggested to let the plant dry out a bit more between waterings, you need to know that the donor’s soil may have a higher water retention than yours. So, you have to listen to the plant.
• When you water your plant, pour an excess amount of water to the soil to saturate and flush the mix thoroughly. If you find that the soil drains very fast, you may have to soak it longer. However, don’t let the soil stand in water. Then, you have to empty any cache receptacles after the pot has drained completely.
• If you see the leaves are yellowing, it can be a sign of overwatering. So, you have to check the roots to see whether the roots are rotting.

Soil

It is important for you to provide the right soil for your Calathea Lancifolia. For this plant, you have to prepare a mixture which can retain aeration after it is soaked thoroughly, but the soil also needs to be able to hold enough moisture so that your plant keeps hydrated between waterings.

Combining two parts of peat moss or coco coir with one part perlite or other aerating amendment is one common recipe.

Below, you can see the suitable materials for the soil for your Calathea Lancifolia according to the Smart Garden Guide.

Base Materials

• Peat Moss

Peat can hold water and it gives some structure. However, it adds inorganic aerating material to keep it open and draining well. This material can make the soil a bit acidic and it is hard to rehydrate if it dries.

• Coco Coir

It has good water-retention. However, it does not acidify the soil or breakdown like peat. So, for ideal consistency, you can add aerating elements.

Aeration Materials

• Perlite

It will not break down and give good drainage. It also will not change soil pH. However, it tends to float to the top of the soil and get everywhere.

• Pumice

It is an excellent inorganic aeration material for a soilless mix if pricey. It will not change pH.

• Compost

Sometimes, it is used to replace perlite. Nevertheless, the organic materials break down and compact when it is kept moist and it needs to be regularly replaced.

• Vermiculite

It can hold water a little too well and it is good to be added in small proportions.

• Coarse Sand

It can help keep your soil fluffy and open, but only use a coarse grade. Instead, fine sand will compact the soil.

Humidity

50% or higher humidity is needed by this Calathea Lancifolia so that it will have the best look. However, if you find that your humidity is lower than 50%, there are some options. The first option is to group plants. You can emulate the plant’s natural setting by surrounding it with other tropical greenery. If you use this method, little upkeep is needed where you have to water the plants normally and let them help each other.

Another option if the humidity is lower is to use a water tray. You can place trays which are filled with water near your plant so that it can increase local air moisture. As a result, it can increase humidity by a few percentage points.

If you have a room humidifier, it can be used to increase humidity so that you will have Calathea Lancifolia with pretty foliage.

Temperature

Calathea Lancifolia is a tropical native so that it likes temperatures at the warmer end of a range from 65°F or 18°C to 85°F or 30°C. Their USDA Zone rating is 11 or 12. You have to keep the plant out of drafts, cold or hot and also the plant must avoid fast fluctuations of temperature.

Fertilizing

During the warm season, Calathea Lancifolia has moderate growth. They need some extra nutrition, but you have to make sure that you do not feed it too much. It is because this plant is sensitive and it can react badly to excess fertilizer and the residue which is left behind.

If you want to give the plant fertilizer, you can use an organic fertilizer because it is safer than a synthetic blend. Besides, it can benefit the soil’s ecology by making plants healthy. If you want to give a little extra nitrogen, you can do that. You can give a 10-10-5 formula.

Fertilize the plant little but often instead of doing it in a larger dose. You can give fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks at a half or quarter dilution. Make sure that you feed it from early spring to late summer.