How to Grow and Care for Jumbo Calathea

Large houseplants make a significant statement in any room, bringing a touch of the outdoors inside. Among the most sought-after for their decorative foliage are Calatheas. With their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, these plants function as living art. Their leaves often feature a unique characteristic known as nyctinasty, where they fold upwards at night and lower during the day, resembling hands in prayer.

Exploring Popular Jumbo Calathea Varieties

The term “jumbo Calathea” is not a formal botanical classification but a colloquial name for any Calathea variety that can achieve a substantial size. These larger specimens are perfect for filling a corner or creating a focal point. Understanding the different types available is the first step in choosing the right one for your space.

One of the most recognizable large varieties is Calathea orbifolia. This plant is celebrated for its large, round leaves that can grow over a foot wide. The foliage is a soft green, adorned with striking silver-green stripes that radiate from the center, creating a bold, graphic pattern. Reaching a height of up to 100 cm, Calathea orbifolia has a full, bushy appearance with silvery-green leaf undersides.

For those seeking height, Calathea lutea, often called the cigar plant, is an excellent option. This variety is one of the tallest, capable of reaching significant heights. Its large, paddle-shaped leaves are a vibrant green on top with a silvery underside, adding a textural contrast. The common name comes from the unique, cigar-shaped flower bracts it can produce.

Another popular choice is Calathea zebrina, or the zebra plant, named for its distinct striped foliage. The leaves are velvety to the touch, with bright green surfaces marked by dark, feather-like bands running horizontally. This plant can grow up to three feet high under ideal conditions, with its large, oval leaves reaching up to two feet in length.

Calathea warscewiczii, also known as jungle velvet, offers a different appeal with its deeply colored and textured leaves. The foliage is a dark, velvety green with a lighter green fishtail pattern along the midrib, while the undersides are a rich burgundy. In its natural habitat, it can grow over six feet tall and produces unique, cone-shaped flowers.

Large Calathea Care Guide

Light

Maintaining the vibrant patterns on Calathea leaves requires proper lighting. These plants thrive in bright, indirect light, which mimics the dappled sunlight of their native tropical forest floor. An east-facing window providing gentle morning sun is ideal. Direct, harsh sunlight should be avoided, as it can scorch the delicate leaves.

Water

Calatheas prefer their soil to be consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could be about once a week depending on your home’s environment. It is important to use filtered, distilled, or rainwater, as Calatheas can be sensitive to the minerals and chemicals found in tap water. Letting the pot sit in water should be avoided, as this can lead to root rot.

Soil

The right soil mixture provides the foundation for a healthy plant. A peat-based potting mix is recommended for Calatheas. To improve aeration and prevent waterlogging, create a mix that is two parts peat or coir and one part perlite. This mixture holds enough moisture while allowing excess water to drain away freely.

Temperature and Humidity

Coming from tropical jungles, Calatheas flourish in warm and humid conditions. They prefer stable temperatures between 65–85°F (18–27°C) and should be kept away from drafts or sudden temperature shifts. To increase humidity, you can:

• Mist the leaves daily
• Place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water
• Use a humidifier nearby
• Group several plants together to create a more humid micro-environment

Fertilizer

During the spring and summer growing season, regular feeding supports new growth. A balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, is suitable. Fertilize every four to six weeks. It’s best to reduce or stop feeding during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows.

Repotting a Large Calathea

Repotting a large Calathea should be done every couple of years, or when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container. Signs that a plant is root-bound include roots growing out of the drainage holes or the soil drying out much faster than usual. The best time to repot is in the spring, just before the start of the growing season.

When selecting a new pot, choose one that is only one to two inches wider in diameter than the current one. A pot that is too large can hold excess soil and moisture, which may lead to root rot. Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage holes and use a well-draining mix containing peat, coco coir, and perlite.

The process of repotting requires care. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, trying not to pull on the stems. Inspect the root ball for any brown or mushy roots, which are signs of rot, and trim them away with clean scissors.

Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the new pot, position the plant in the center, and fill in the sides with more mix. After repotting, water the plant thoroughly and withhold fertilizer for a few weeks to allow the roots to recover.

Common Challenges with Large Calatheas

Brown and crispy leaf edges are one of the most frequent complaints from Calathea owners. This is a sign of low humidity, a reaction to the minerals in tap water, or a buildup of fertilizer salts from over-fertilizing. Increasing ambient moisture and switching to filtered or distilled water can resolve this problem.

Drooping leaves can be an indicator of both underwatering and overwatering. To determine the cause, check the soil’s moisture level. If the soil is dry and compacted, the plant is likely thirsty and needs a thorough watering. If the soil is soggy, overwatering is the probable cause, and you should allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.

Spider mites are a common pest for Calatheas, especially in dry conditions. These tiny pests create fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and can cause stippling or discoloration. Regularly inspecting your plant and wiping the leaves down can help prevent infestations. If pests are found, treat the plant with an appropriate insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Fading leaf color or patterns often points to an issue with lighting. If the vibrant markings on your Calathea’s leaves begin to look dull or washed out, it may be receiving too much direct sunlight. Moving the plant to a location with more filtered or lower light should help restore its color. If the plant is in a spot that is too dark, it might not have enough energy to maintain its intricate patterns.