Calathea Warscewiczii is a unique and beautiful plant that can make a great addition to any home. The plant has fancy soft leaves with green tops with two shades and dark red leaf bottoms. People call ’em prayer plants, but they actually do well in any kind of inside space.
If you’re thinking about adding one of these beauties to your collection, be sure to read this care guide first! We’ve got all you need to know about “Calathea Warscewiczii Care”, from how to water it, to how much light it needs – it’s all in this comprehensive guide.
About Calathea Warscewiczii
The official name’s been changed from Calathea warscewiczii to Goeppertia warszewiczii in plant name science, but not many people have caught on yet. This plant that’s always green, also casually known as Calathea Jungle Velvet, comes from Central and South America and belongs to the prayer plant family.
Mature versions of this plant can get 3 to 4 feet big under the best conditions. It’s known for its green leaves with silver-white leaf patterns, which look super cool against dark purple leaf bottoms and long stems. When it flowers, the plant may produce tiny flower cones with a creamy color.
Calathea Warscewiczii is a pretty simple houseplant to care for that can make a big impression in any inside space. Its leaves look great in pot gardening and it gives the place a beachy vibe.
This plant needs always damp soil, not too hot temps, and lots of filtered light to thrive; sadly, plant owner mistakes can be seen in their leaves. If you make their surroundings better, plants can get over their hard feelings and grow new leaves that are just as lovely as the ones they already had.
Calathea Warscewiczii Care Quick Overview
| Scientific Name | Calathea warscewiczii (Now officially Goeppertia warszewiczii) |
| Common Name | Calathea Jungle Velvet |
| Origin | Central And South America |
| Light Requirements | Medium, filtered light |
| Humidity | High humidity is essential. >50% is the minimum. |
| Temperature | 65-85ºF (18-29ºC) |
| Flowering | Cream-colored, cone-shaped flowers emerge from a central stalk. |
| Pruning | Minimal cutting back requirements. Prune old or yellowed leaves. |
| Propagation | Propagate by division in spring or early summer. |
| Re-Potting | Only repot once root bound, and do so carefully, as doesn’t like to be disturbed. |
| Diseases And Pests | Prone to mealybugs, mites, and scale. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to humans and animals. |
Calathea Warscewiczii care tips
Watering
Calathea Warscewiczii is a beautiful and exotic houseplant that needs to be watered regularly in order to thrive. You need to keep the soil always damp so it never gets too wet or dry.
Also, you can’t just use a set schedule; instead, you gotta check on them regularly. These plants can be a bit fussy.
For big, totally-filled pots, a moisture-checking gadget can help, but the readings can be different depending on the type of soil. It’s simple and reliable to check the soil with your finger.
Stuff to keep in mind:
- Watering Calathea should always be done with warmish water that’s been sitting out for at least a day – this helps get rid of any chlorine or fluoride in tap water.
- Water when the top couple inches of soil are dry, and make sure not to give it too much water.
- Water this cool plant from the bottom – either by dunking the pot in a pan of water for a quarter of an hour or by using an indoor watering can with a long spout to get to the bottom of the pot.
- Get rid of all the extra water and empty any saucer you’re using under the pot.
- Water every week or two, depending on your inside space and light levels, making sure not to let the soil get totally dry.
- Don’t mist this cool plant as this can hurt the leaves.
Ideal Humidity
Calathea Warscewiczii requires consistently high levels of humidity to thrive.To keep your plant looking its best, aim for 50-70% humidity.
It’s a good idea to always keep the plant somewhere with good air flow, like near a fan or open window.
It’s also a good idea to spritz the leaves with warmish water, about once a week.
Keep an eye on the humidity amount, and if needed, use other ways to increase humidity like using a humidifier or placing the plant in a stone tray.
Grouping plants together can help. But give them space, both for air flow and to stop pests and diseases from spreading.
Make sure to keep this cool plant somewhere with steady humidity levels so it has the best chance to do well.
Ideal light
Calathea Warscewiczii is a beautiful tropical houseplant, native to the rainforests of South America. The perfect light for this plant would be light not directly hitting it scattered throughout the day. It can also handle low light levels, but growth and color may change if it doesn’t get enough light.
But when in straight sunshine, it can hurt the leaves. Straight sunshine can damage the leaves and make them lose their color.
It’s really important to put this cool plant somewhere that doesn’t get straight sunshine all day but will still get light from nearby windows or tube lights. When giving your plant fake light, make sure to keep the light source at least eight inches away from the leaves.
Don’t put this cool plant in straight sunshine or too close to a bright window as this will cause burns on the leaves, leading to yellow spots and color changes. If the pot is a few feet from the window, you should cover it with sheer curtains.
Above all, make sure you give this plant steady bright, light not directly hitting it all day and it’ll be happy!
Required temperature
In addition to proper lighting, Calathea Warscewiczii also needs a steady temp of between 65°F and 80°F in order to thrive.
It’s important to keep your cool plant away from any drafty areas as low temps can cause the leaves to go floppy.
On the other hand, it’s also important to not place your Calathea in an area where temps go over 80°F as this will stress out the plant and can eventually kill the plant.
To make sure that your Calathea stays healthy, keep the temp of its surroundings consistent and avoid big changes.
Fertilizer
Feeding your Calathea Warscewiczii is key to keeping it healthy. Feed should be applied every month in the warm months.
Apply an even houseplant food that has all the main nutrients—nitrogen, and phosphorus—in equal parts. Feed at 1/4 to 1/2 the suggested amount shown on the package label. Too much feed can cause leaf burn or yellow leaves.
It’s best to use warmish water when feeding your Calathea Warscewiczii; cold water can shock the plant’s roots.
Tips: Fertilizer should not be applied during dormancy, as this can lead to root burn or shock.
Best soil for Calathea Warscewiczii
When it comes to the soil for Calathea Warscewiczii, soil dampness is important. The soil should drain well but also hold onto some water and nutrients.
A soil mix with a nice mix of natural stuff such as peat, perlite, and composted bark will help achieve the ideal soil conditions for this plant.
Additionally, soil with a bit acidic pH is beneficial for Calathea Warscewiczii. You may also want to add some extra organic matter, such as aged manure or compost, to the soil mix to help it hold onto water and give extra nutrients.
Make sure you keep a close eye on soil dampness; too much water can lead to root rot in this cool plant, while too little can lead to wilting. Overall, soil with the right balance of organic material and soil dampness is super important for this cool plant to grow well.
Tips: Remember that soil nutrients need to be replenished on a regular basis for this plant to thrive.
Insect
Bugs can be a big problem for Calathea Warscewiczii as they are attracted to the plant’s moisture and nutrients. Bug problems can happen no matter how well-looked-after the plant is.
Typical signs of bug problems include discolored or wilting leaves, as well as clear signs such as webs, holes, or egg masses on the plant’s surface.
Insects such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can all cause major problems for Calathea Warscewiczii if left unchecked.
To prevent bug problems, it’s important to maintain proper plant looking after by properly watering and feeding the plant as well as providing enough humidity and light.
Bug sprays are also effective at controlling bug activity on Calathea Warscewiczii when used properly.
Tips: Regularly check the leaves and stems of your Calathea Warscewiczii for signs of insect damage.
Pruning
Cutting back your Calathea Warscewiczii is essential to its health and growth. Pruning helps the plant keep a clean and tidy look, while also encouraging it to make more leaves.
Pruning should be done in early spring when new leaves are starting to form. When pruning, make sure to use sharp scissors to avoid hurting the leaves.
Prune off any dead or dying leaves and stems, as well as any that are growing too long or too close together. Pruning also helps to cut down on sickness and bug problems, so be sure to remove any discolored or hurt bits of the plant.
Tips: It’s important to note that pruning should only be done when necessary. Pruning too often can hurt the plant, as well as slow down its growth.
Propagation
Propagation of Calathea Warscewiczii plants is doable by using plant bulbs and splitting them up.
- For plant bulbs, it’s about digging up some of the roots, cutting off healthy parts with sleeping buds, and sticking them in a new pot filled with damp soil.
- Splitting is just carefully cutting one plant into two or more pieces of the same size and putting them in different pots.
Whether you’re using bulbs or splitting, you gotta keep the soil always damp, provide mid-range light, and change water conditions as needed for the best health of the plant. Plants that have been split up or grown from bulbs take a few months to totally bounce back and grow new roots.
Propagation Calathea Warscewiczii is a fantastic way to get more beautiful plants for your pad or yard. It’s an easy and cheaper way to grow your plant stash.
This process needs a lot of wait, so it’s crucial to keep a close eye on the plants while they’re growing new roots.
Tips: Propagating in the spring, when repotting, and be as gentle as possible.
Repotting for Calathea Warscewicz
Moving your Calathea Warscewiczii to a bigger pot isn’t tricky, but it does need some extra attention.
When picking a pot for your Calathea Warscewiczii, go for one that’s a bit bigger than the pot it was in before and drains well, like a container with holes at the bottom. Moving your plant to a bigger pot should be done slowly and carefully so you don’t mess with the roots of your plant.
- To start, get the plant out of its current pot by gently turning it upside down and shaking it out.
- Take a good look at the roots of your Calathea Warscewiczii, tossing any dead or bad roots and trimming off any loose ones.
- Start by filling the bottom of your pot with a good-quality soil mix made for houseplants.
- Put your plant in the pot, making sure it’s in the middle, then fill the rest of the pot with soil mix so the roots are completely covered.
- Give it a good drink and keep the soil nicely damp but not too wet.
Tips: The best time to repot this plant is in the spring when new growth begins, as this will give your plant the best environment for optimal growth.
Calathea Warscewiczii Care Common Problems
Calathea Warscewiczii, also known as the Velvet Calathea or Prayer Plant, is a gorgeous plant with dark green leaves and bright purple undersides. While this plant is usually simple to take care of, it can run into some typical problems if its care needs aren’t met. Here are some usual issues and solutions for Calathea Warscewiczii:
- Brown or crispy leaf edges: This can mean dry air or too much strong sun. Try making the air wetter by placing a humidifier nearby or setting the plant on a tray of stones and water. Move the plant to a place with soft, filtered light.
- Yellowing or dropping leaves: This can come from too much water or not enough water. Check how damp the soil is and change watering accordingly. Be sure to use soil that drains well and a pot with drainage holes.
- Leaves curling up: This can be a sign of too little water or too much strong sun. Check how damp the soil is and change watering as needed. Move the plant to a place with soft, filtered light.
- Bug problems: Calathea Warscewiczii is likely to get spider mites and mealybugs. Watch out for these bugs and deal with them quickly with bug-killing soap or neem oil.
By following these care tips and dealing with any issues quickly, you can keep your Calathea Warscewiczii healthy and bright
FAQ About Calathea Warscewiczii Care
Q: Is Calathea Warscewiczii toxic to pets?
A: Nope, Calathea Warscewiczii isn’t thought to be toxic to cats and dogs. But, like all plants, it’s best to keep it away from small kids and pets.
Q: How much light does Calathea Warscewiczii need?
A: Calathea Warscewiczii likes being in soft, filtered light. Don’t put it in direct sunlight ’cause it can scorch the leaves.
Q: What type of soil is best for a Calathea Warscewiczii plant?
A: Calathea Warscewiczii digs a peat-based plant soil that drains well.
Q: How often should I water my Calathea Warscewiczii?
A: You should do it when the top two inches of soil are dry, and it’s important not to water it too much. Watering every week or two is spot on.
Some Tips For Calathea Warscewiczii care
Calathea Warscewiczii is a stunning plant that needs a bit of extra attention to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips for the right care of this tropical buddy:
- Put Calathea Warscewiczii in soft, filtered light or dim light. Don’t put them in direct sunlight ’cause this can burn the leaves.
- Keep the soil always damp, but don’t water it too much. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and water thoroughly. Toss any extra water that may be in the drainage tray.
- Calathea Warscewiczii loves high humidity levels, so think about misting the leaves and putting the pot on a tray for humidity.
- Feed your plant every two weeks during spring and summer with an all-around plant food, cut in half the recommended amount. Stop feeding in fall and winter when growth slows down.
- The Calathea Warscewiczii doesn’t like temperature swings and should be kept far from cold draughts. Keep it at regular room temps and above 50°F in winter.
Overall, taking care of this Calathea Warscewiczii is a piece of cake. By following our simple tips, you will have a healthy and happy green buddy that will thrive in any environment. Give your Calathea Warscewiczii the care it needs and it will give you years of beauty. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to FamiPlants. Thanks for hanging out and good luck!
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