Calathea Orbifolia is a well-loved, large-leaved peacock tail. This Calathea Orbifolia plant when decorated indoors will create a green and impressive space. And it is certain that this plant conquers the love of those who like to grow indoor plants. Learn about Calathea Orbifolia care in this article.
What is Calathea Orbifolia?
Another Calathea Orbifolia common name is the prayer plant. This is one of the biggest species of Calathea and is native to South America. It is prized for the clean, designer-quality leaves it produces. It is a classic plant that makes a statement, with its big, oval leaves that may grow to be over a foot wide.
Calatheas are known to be finicky plants, and the Orbifolia variety is not an exception. Its gorgeous leaves and well-balanced profile attract captivated owners, some of whom watch in sadness as the exquisite plant progressively disfigures itself and declines in health. Why? Because just feeling love is not enough.
Orbifolias can only survive in environments with high humidity and regular soil wetness. The majority of the time, owners who boast about how simple it is to care for orbifolds neglect to disclose that they reside in a tropical region. You are at a disadvantage if your house is lacking in humidity.
However, the only way to overcome your dread of a Calathea orbifold is to have an understanding of it. You’ll both be content if you create an environment similar to a rainforest for it, complete with plenty of heat and humidity.
It is safe for both pets and children; in fact, they are more likely to be put in danger by you if they consume it. It might be challenging to locate Calathea orbifold, but the availability of these plants is improving as their demand increases.
Calathea Orbifolia Characteristics
Calathea Orbifolia is a kind of perennial plant that is endemic to Bolivia and may be found growing on forest floors there. It is a member of the Marantaceae family, which is also known as the Prayer Plant family, and it favors semi-shade. Although it can withstand low light, it cannot take direct sunlight.
The leaves are spherical and oval in shape, and they have bands of silvery gray and green on them. The stems are sturdy. The undersides of their bodies have a light green color. When cultivated indoors, the plant may reach heights of around three feet and widths of approximately three feet.
It’s probably not your imagination if the plant seems different when you gaze at it. Because it is used as a prayer plant, the leaves of the Orbifolia are very active and move constantly throughout the day.
Orbifolias may be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 9b–11 and make great houseplants. It can also spend the summer outside and the autumn inside, but it cannot withstand even brief exposure to freezing temperatures without suffering harm. Its growth rate varies according to the environment, but it never grows very quickly and goes into a semi-dormant state during the chilly season.
The Calathea Orbifolia has a root system similar to a rhizome and is susceptible to rotting. It cannot survive in soil that is either too wet or too dry and must have a nutrient-dense mixture with good drainage.
Calathea Orbifolia Care Guide
The most important care needs for Calathea Orbifolia, also known botanically as that species, are sufficient indirect light, appropriate watering, and well-draining soil. If you do this correctly, your Calathea Orbifolia indoor plant will flourish rather than merely survive.
Calathea Orbifolia Light Requirements
You should cultivate your Calathea Orbifolia in areas with medium to low light levels and shade from the sun. If you can read without having to strain your eyes, the light is sufficient. The leaves will begin to fade and may even wither and die if the light is too intense.
Even though these Calathea Orbifolia plants can tolerate low light conditions, they are not considered to be dark-adapted plants. They’ll thrive when put on a windowsill with a north or east orientation. Keep far away from the window in a shady spot in rooms that face south and west.
Calathea Medallion and Calathea Ornata are two different species that thrive in direct, strong light.
Calathea Orbifolia Soil
When grown in healthy potting soil with great drainage, Calathea Orbifolia flourishes, and Calathea Orbifolia flower will appear. While retaining some moisture, the soil shouldn’t get flooded. Two parts of potting soil, one part perlite, and one part of orchid bark make up the ideal potting mixture for Calathea Orbifolia plants. Perlite offers drainage, whereas organic matter absorbs moisture.
It is preferable to use a growth medium rich in organic matter than chemical fertilizers. However, with time peat may get compacted, so it’s always a good idea to make sure water can flow freely.
Vermiculite is not the best soil supplement for improving drainage; perlite or pumice are. Vermiculite has a tendency to retain too much moisture even if all of these goods are natural. You’ll have root rot issues if the soil gets wet or the roots become too moist.
Calathea Orbifolia Watering
Calathea Orbifolia Water Utilizing this method to water houseplants prevents overwatering. Press the soil to determine when to water your Calathea Orbifolia. If there are any signs of wetness, you should wait to water; wait until the soil is just half dry.
The Calathea Orbifolia plant may endure spells of dryness better than overwatering, while not being a species of drought-tolerant indoor plant. You may need to water the plant once a week or even more regularly throughout the summer.
Watering on a regular basis is a typical error when it comes to Calathea Orbifolia maintenance. This behavior usually leads to overwatering the plant. Soil moisture levels should always be used as watering guidance.
When watering your Calathea Orbifolia, soak the soil well until water begins to drip out of the pot’s drainage holes. Before placing the pot back on the drip tray, let all of the extra water completely drain out. To make sure the pot isn’t submerged in water, check the saucer from time to time.
Keep in mind that summertime is the time to water Calathea Orbifolia plants more often than wintertime. Moisture dries out more quickly in warm weather than it does in the cold. You may need to spray the leaves more regularly in the winter than you would in the summer.
Calathea Orbifolia Temperature Needs
Indoor cultivation of Calathea Orbifolia houseplants is best done in rooms with a comfortable temperature range. The ideal temperature range for your tropical plant is between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C). The leaves will begin to curl if the temperature is too high. Large glossy green leaves will droop if they are too low.
Caring for Calathea Orbifolia adequately in the summer and winter is difficult when growing them inside. Calatheas are vulnerable to abrupt fluctuations in temperature. Keep them away from chilly drafts, such as those caused by open windows or the air conditioner. Keep the Calathea Orbifolia plant container away from radiators throughout the winter.
In the summer, Calathea Orbifolia plants may be grown outside in pots. The potted tropical plant may flourish in a shady area of your garden as long as the temperature never falls below 60°F. Keep in mind to shade your plant from the sun and to water it only after the top layer of soil has dried off.
Calathea Orbifolia Humidity
Calatheas, like Calathea Orbifolia, are native to tropical environments and need high humidity levels of at least 50%. Normal room air moisture levels are often too low for Calathes. To keep your Orbifolia plant happy, spritz the leaves, put them in a pebble water tray, or use a room humidifier.
In a well-lit bathroom or kitchen, Calathea Orbifolia thrives. In the humid climate and filtered sunshine that many kitchens and bathrooms offer, these superb shower plants flourish.
Here are some care guidelines for Calathea Orbifolia with regard to the ideal humidity level:
- Misting – When misting the wide, lustrous leaves, always use distilled water or filtered tap water. Create a fine mist over the big leaves every other morning to humidify for the greatest outcomes.
- Wipe the leaves – Use a moist towel to wipe the leaves once each week. This method not only adds moisture but also aids in removing dust from the lovely Calathea orbifold leaves.
- Room humidifier – A room humidifier may assist maintain the ideal humidity levels in the air if you have a lot of tropical indoor plants.
Calathea Orbifolia Fertilizing
The Calathea genus contains plants that don’t need much food. The nutrients and minerals your Orbifolia plant needs throughout the growing season may be supplied by a gentle fertilizer applied once each month. Use an organic houseplant feed that has been diluted to 25% strength. During the autumn and winter, stop eating.
Regular application of a balanced indoor plant fertilizer is beneficial for Calathea Orbifolia. However, keep in mind that you sometimes need to cleanse the soil. The delicate roots of Calathea Orbifolia might get damaged by too much fertilizer in the soil. Between feedings, give the soil a thorough soak to avoid an accumulation of extra minerals.
Calathea Orbifolia Growth Rate
Plants of the Calathea Orbifolia species develop at a moderate pace when given the proper circumstances. Make sure the Calathea Orbifolia grows in bright indirect light and water it just enough to keep the soil wet for the quickest development. Although most Calathea Orbifolia plants don’t go much higher than 2 feet (0.6 meters), some can.
The lush, glossy leaves are around 30 cm in width. Because of their large, light-absorbing leaves, these wide houseplants are great low-light plants. However, the plant’s growth rate will significantly slow down under low light.
Calathea Orbifolia Diseases And Pests
Calathea Orbifolia often develops white soil mold, powdery mildew, and leaf spots. Correct Calathea Orbifolia maintenance, such as regular watering, heat, and humidity, aids in lowering the risk of these illnesses.
Mealybugs, thrips, aphids, and white flies are typical pests of Calathea Orbifolia. If there is an infestation, wipe the leaves with a moist towel to get rid of as many bugs as you can. Depending on the pest, continue by spraying the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Calathea Orbifolia is renowned for both its aesthetic appeal and ability to filter the air. Consistently monitoring soil moisture and environmental conditions is necessary for proper maintenance. Although it is not the simplest houseplant to cultivate, many houseplant enthusiasts are drawn to it because of its difficult traits.
Why Are Calathea Orbifolia Leaves Wilting After Repotting?
When they are replanted, indoor Calathea Orbifolia plants get stressed, and Calathea Orbifolia yellow leaves appear. The leaves often wilt after being moved to a new container. The plant should be kept in a bright, humid area to effectively address this care concern. Prior to the plant looking better, hold off on feeding, trimming, and repotting.
Final Words: How to Care for Calathea Orbifolia?
Calathea Orbifolia loves warm temperatures and humidity levels that range from mild to high. They thrive with regular watering and like to grow in medium to extremely bright indirect sunshine. Calatheas are a great option for bathroom plants because of these factors.
These plants may be cultivated outside year-round in a tropical climate, beneath trees that provide heavy shadow.
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