How often to water a calathea
Calathea and Goeppertia species
About once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry, keeping it lightly moist.
Calatheas want soil that is lightly moist, never soggy and never bone dry. They are sensitive to minerals in tap water, so filtered water or tap water left out overnight can help.
Calathea schedule
Water
- Spring and summer
- About once a week
- Fall and winter
- About every 1 to 2 weeks
Feed
- Spring and summer
- Monthly, at half strength
- Fall and winter
- None
Check the soil first. Water only when it is as dry as this guide says.
How to tell it is time to water
Touch the top inch of soil. When it is just dry, water evenly until it drains.
Signs of overwatering
- Yellowing leaves
- Wilting while the soil is still wet
- Soft, dark stems at the soil line
Signs of underwatering
- Leaves curling inward
- Crispy brown leaf edges
- Faded leaf patterns
Light and pot
- Light
- Medium, indirect light. Direct sun fades and scorches the leaves. Higher humidity helps.
- Pot and soil
- A pot with a drainage hole and a moisture-holding but airy mix.
- Pets
- Listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
This schedule is general guidance for a healthy indoor plant. Light, temperature, humidity, pot size and soil all change how fast it dries out, so check the soil before you water and adjust.