Care for peacock plant - Ask Extension
Any suggestions on an optimal soil mixture for an indoor calathea plant? I've been keeping it in indirect light in McMinnville. It's in really bad sha...
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Care for peacock plant #880126
Asked August 04, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
Any suggestions on an optimal soil mixture for an indoor calathea plant? I've been keeping it in indirect light in McMinnville. It's in really bad shape so going to start everything over..
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Courtney,
I can find varying directions for potting calathea ranging from 2/3 indoor potting mix and 1/3 peat, to no peat indoor potting mix. The key item all sources agree upon is that calathea needs well draining soil but they like humidity. Hence it is suggested to place the pot on a pebble filled saucer or tray which is kept water filled to increase the humidity. Apparently the leaves will scorch if there is a dry draft, i.e. fan, or dry soil or a soil high in salt from over fertilizing. These are understory plants which are native to the jungles of the Amazon so try to duplicate those growing conditions--warm, moist, well-drained, low light.
I can find varying directions for potting calathea ranging from 2/3 indoor potting mix and 1/3 peat, to no peat indoor potting mix. The key item all sources agree upon is that calathea needs well draining soil but they like humidity. Hence it is suggested to place the pot on a pebble filled saucer or tray which is kept water filled to increase the humidity. Apparently the leaves will scorch if there is a dry draft, i.e. fan, or dry soil or a soil high in salt from over fertilizing. These are understory plants which are native to the jungles of the Amazon so try to duplicate those growing conditions--warm, moist, well-drained, low light.
