If you ’re count for a tropical houseplant that create deep dark-green , almost black , foliage lined in hue of vibrant hot pinko , look no further than the Calathea Dottie .
This compact plant is a bully choice for anyone that has restrict space in their indoor garden , and will chop-chop become a peach stop with its contrasting - colored leaves .
Before you could begin your venture into the grand world of Calathea , learn what is needed to properly care for this plant .
Source: Paulina Kiezun (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Table of Contents
Easy Calathea Care Guide 💚
⭐ Want one?Thisgreen and pinkCalathea Makoyanais stunning , while thisdeep purpleCalathea Dottiemakes an incredible affirmation piece in your plate .
💧 water supply : Water when the top inch of soil feels ironical . Calatheas sleep with consistent wet but do n’t permit the soil get marshy or waterlogged . Use filter or purify weewee to avoid leaf browning .
🌱 territory : Use a well - draining pot mix -I in person usethis potting mix . A mix with peat or perlite , like this one , mould well to retain the right amount of wet .
☀ ️Light : Bright , indirect light is best . Avoid verbatim sunshine , which can sear their delicate leaves , and low twinkle , which may slow down their growth .
🌡 ️Temperature : Keep your Calathea in a elbow room between 65 - 80 ° F ( 18 - 27 ° C ) . Protect it from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes .
🌿 Fertilizer : Feed with a diluted , balanced fertilizer ( my top pick isthis Miracle - Gro one ) once a month during spring and summertime . Skip feed in pin and winter .
How do you care for Calathea Dottie?
The best thing you could do for your Calathea Dottie is to read up on this plant ’s growing essential . Without knowing this basic information , you wo n’t be able to keep your Calathea happy and healthy , and could even kill the plant life .
1. Grow theCalathea Dottiein peat and perlite soil mixture
When deciding which pot mixture to use for the Calathea Dottie , prime one that contains perlite or pumas , coir , and pot stain . These ingredients make a well - drain growing medium that can still confine a turn of moisture , but not so much that it keeps the flora ’s roots mucky .
Miracle - Gro Tropical Potting Mix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Thebest soil for Calatheas , provide the perfect intermixture of moisture retention and drainage . Packed with nutrients and lava rock ‘n’ roll for aeration , it helps keep Calatheas ’ delicate roots healthy and their foliage vibrant .
Agood soil recipe for CalatheaDottie is 30 - pct potting soil , 30 - per centum coir , and 30 - percent pumas or perlite .
Avoid using soil that is too hard and compact as this restricts drain . Additionally , you should n’t use a growing medium for succulents , since these case of soil drain too quickly .
2. GiveCalathea Dottiebright, indirect sunlight
Like other Calathea plant , the Dottie needs plenty of bright , diffused light for at least 8 to 10 hr every day .
Despite have a go at it the sun , this plant can not permit lineal light as it is too rough for the Calathea Dottie and will quickly lead to foliage burn . In fact , subjecting this industrial plant to direct luminosity can cause its vivacious leafage colour to disappearance .
You may also be concerned in : Calathea Light Requirements : The Ultimate Guide
3. Hydrate the plant about once a week during the spring and summer
Calathea Dottie loves soil that stays a bite moist , but it is also prone to overwatering . Because of this , it ’s proficient to permit the territory dry out just a little between waterings .
On middling , expect to water the flora about once every 7 to 10 Day during the springtime and summertime when the Calathea Dottie is actively growing .
The amount of lachrymation needed during the winter when the plant life is n’t actively grow is normally reduced to once or twice a month . you’re able to help prevent overwatering and underwatering bywatering the calathea plantonly when the top column inch or two of soil is ironical .
4. Maintain warm temperatures throughout the entire year
The room where you are mature your Calathea Dottie will require to stay warm throughout the entire year . temperature should be kept between 65 and 75 degrees .
While the plant life wo n’t have any issues if you let on it to temperatures a little above or below this range of mountains for a short full stop of metre , long - terminus exposure could seriously harm the Calathea Dottie .
5. Calathea Dottie needs high levels of humidity
If you need to see to it your Calathea Dottie is healthy , you will need to meet its gamy humidity needs .
Most homes observe a humidness level of around 40 - percent , which is well below this plant ’s requirements , which is above 60 - percentage . A humidifier is a straightaway style to keep the humidness tier high .
Other option to increase humidness admit setting the Calathea Dottie on a drip mold tray or mist the plant ’s leaf .
Even when the humidness stage are high , you may still need to mist the industrial plant when the conditions are dry than normal . This typically pass during the winter when the habit of bullet is more dominant .
6. Apply a diluted fertilizer once every 2 to 4 weeks during its active growing season
Even though the Calathea Dottie is n’t an overly great feeder , this plant will still need to be fertilize about once or twice a month during the spring and summertime months . Use a balanced fluid fertilizer designed for tropic houseplant , such as one with an NPK proportion of 5 - 5 - 5 .
Miracle - Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
Thebest fertilizer for Calatheas , providing crucial nutrients for vibrant , healthy foliage . Feeds in a flash to support luxuriant growth without the jeopardy of burn
Before applying yourCalathea ’s fertilizer , thoroughly water the Calathea and dilute the plant food to about 1/2 of its strength .
Not water the Calathea Dottie before feeding can cauterise its roots . Additionally , all feeding want to be stopped in the free fall and wintertime .
This is because the works is n’t actively grow , and feeding it during this fourth dimension can step in with Calathea ’s natural farm period of time .
7. Freshen soil once every year or every two years as needed
repot the Calathea Dottie is typically done to freshen the plant ’s soil once every year to once every two year . Since this plant life does n’t get too bighearted , you unremarkably wo n’t have to repot the Calathea Dottie because it has outgrow its container .
That ’s not to say it can not happen , it ’s just not as often as needed to freshen the grow metier .
The best time to repot the Calathea Dottie is during the spring or early summer , which is when this flora is actively growing .
This means that it can withstand the natural shock that occurs during the repotting process better than a plant that is n’t actively get . Additionally , the plant needs to be soundly water a few twenty-four hour period before you repot it .
8. Calathea Dottie uses the division method to propagate
While the Calathea Dottie can be propagated , it does necessitate using the division method . This plant life can not circularise via stem or leaf thinning .
The naval division method is a niggling more difficult than a simple stem or leaf cutting , but the chance of success with this method is eminent than other methods .
This is because the Calathea Dottie produces offshoots or baby Calatheas at the base of its stem . These sister plants have their own root word organisation . That means you do n’t need to look for the cutting to root as you would with the stem or folio cutting .
With that say , however , you will want to tilt Calathea Dottie ’s stack to its side and cautiously slew the flora out of its container . site the baby Calatheas , branch their tooth root system from the parent plant ’s root system of rules , and then set the young Calathea Dottie in its own container .
Related:10 Easy tone to diffuse Calathea plant
9. Water theCalathea Dottiewith distilled water
While pat water does n’t always stimulate problem for houseplants , it can quickly cause a build up of minerals , salt , and other additives in Calathea ’s land .
These additive act in a similar way as over fertilizing the plant and can burn and damage Calathea Dottie ’s roots . Distilled pee , however , does n’t have these additional detail added and can be safely used to water plants .
separate out water and even rain water can also be used , but may not be as “ fresh ” as distilled water . If your only choice is pat water system , make trusted to let the water sit in the watering jug overnight before using it to water the flora .
This will give the atomic number 17 inside the water a opportunity to fool , which means one less potentially harmful linear gets bring in to your Calathea Dottie .
10. Mist theCalathea Dottie‘s leaves during periods of dry conditions
Calathea Dottie is susceptible to dry melodic line , and it can cause its leaves to become brittle , curl , and even work chocolate-brown . If the plant continues to be exhibit to wry air , the overall ontogeny and health of Calathea Dottie will suffer .
fog the plant ’s leaves whenever conditions are dry is a great elbow room to prevent this from occur , while also observe its frail leave hydrated .
Just check that you are using distilled H2O when misting the leaves , since the Calathea Dottie is sensitive to spigot water . Additionally , care must be need not to overmist the Calathea Dottie as this can go to fungous diseases .
If you are mist the plant so much that the dirt is becoming soil , forthwith stop mist and water the Calathea and let the ground dry out before hydrate the works again .
11. Pruning isn’t needed unless you want to clean up dead or dying leaves
Calathea Dottie does n’t require even pruning , but you could snip off the utter or dying leaf to amend the appearance of the plant . absent these leaf also free up worthful resources and makes elbow room for newfangled growth to emerge .
In most compositor’s case , however , you wo n’t need to prune this plant to control its growth , since the flora has a rather heavyset form .
Any leaves removed from the Calathea Dottie should be cast out in the trash or place in a succinct pile .
Furthermore , only expend sharp and clean pruning shear when prune the works , and always decently clean and sanitize the cutting puppet after every use . This helps to keep the likely bed covering of diseases and pests likespider mites on calathea .
AreCalathea Dottierare?
TheCalathea Dottieisn’t the rarest Calathea variety out there , but it is n’t nearly as pronto available as some of the other cultivars . This does mean that judge to find this plant life to purchase can be a bit more difficult , and the price range for theCalathea Dottieis usually gamey than more popular varieties .
What’s a standardCalathea Dottieprice?
The received Calathea Dottie Mary Leontyne Price vary look on the size of it of the plant you are purchasing . Starter flora typically cost about $ 15 , while a Calathea Dottie in a 4 - inch pot can be over $ 20 .
If you need a orotund , more established Calathea Dottie , require to pay close to $ 100 or more for one in an 8 - column inch can .
AreCalathea Dottiehard to care for?
While Calatheas are jazz to be a bit moody , that does n’t mean they are hard to care for . They do , however , require specific growing conditions that will need to be meet if you want to have succeeder with this houseplant .
Unlike some other common houseplants , the Calathea Dottie can not tolerate a quite a little of dissimilar conditions and seek to thrust this industrial plant to live how you desire it will only lead to its dying .
Once you know what this industrial plant needs , however , you will notice that it is n’t hard to care for than any other tropic plant life .
How big doCalathea Dottieget?
TheCalathea Dottiecan reach heights of 6 to 15 inches tall and wide when turn indoors as a houseplant . In its aboriginal habitat , theCalathea Dottiehas been roll in the hay to grow as big as 30 or more inches tall .
But to be fair , do n’t expect it to get this improbable as it mostly abide more compact when grown in spite of appearance .
AreCalathea Dottiereally pink?
Calathea Dottiehas leave-taking that are deep green , looking almost ignominious , lined with bright pink . The underside of each leaf is pale to drear pink in color , which is put on display whenever theCalathea Dottiecloses its leaf at nighttime .
The contrast of the dark foliage with the hot pinkish trim is just one of the things that spend a penny the Calathea Dottie such a stunning plus to your indoor garden !
Where should I keep my Calathea Dottie?
TheCalathea Dottieneeds a sunny elbow room where it can receive 8 to10 hours of indirect or diffused sunshine . Artificial ignition can be used if the born sunlight is lacking , but it will need to be collateral as well .
Allowing the Calathea Dottie to grow in unmediated light will cause its vivacious foliage to fade and could even burn or scorch its foliage .
Whatever area you opt , the temperature need to be modest and ardent , fall between 65 and 75 stage . fend off any area where the temperature drastically vacillate , such as near heating and cooling vents .
Drafty window and exterior door can all cause the temperature in a room to rise and fall too drastically for this plant .
CommonCalathea Dottieproblems
Calathea Dottie does n’t have a lot of problems , but this plant is susceptible to overwatering . This typically occurs because the Calathea Dottie likes to have its soil stick moist .
have the dirt dry out a little between each watering , and only water the flora when the top inch or two of grunge becomes dry goes a long way to preventing overwatering .
Another potential problem of the Calathea Dottie is folio damage because of spigot water . Not all plants are negatively touch by pat water supply , but the Calathea Dottie is . The expert news is that this is whole preventable by merely using distilled water instead of tap water system to hydrate the plant .
ironic conditions can also become a Calathea Dottie problem , especially if you are neglect the plant ’s watering needs while also growing the plant in dry conditions .
water the Calathea Dottie about once a calendar week during the spring and summer while also maintain a humidity storey of at least 60 - per centum will ensure this problem does n’t happen .
Why are the leaves of myCalathea Dottiecurling?
There are a few thing that can cause theCalathea Dottieleaves to loop , including too little water , low level of humidity , overfeeding , and tap piss . The first thing to mark off is to secure the soil is n’t completely dried out .
If so , weewee the plant deep and you should see the leaves uncurl in a matter of day .
Correct humble degree of humidness by turning on a humidifier or misting the Calathea Dottie ’s leaves . Both of these alternative will add moisture to the air and help keep the works ’s bequeath supple .
If you are using rap water to hydrate the Calathea Dottie , flip to distilled piss or else . Tap body of water control various additives , such as redundant salt , chlorine , and minerals , that can work up up in Calathea Dottie ’s soil and burn the plant .
Fortunately , there ’s an easy mending , as using distilled water instead helps to prevent this from occurring .
notice out more about:6 Causes of Your Calathea Leaves Curling ( + How to Fix It )
Why are myCalathea Dottie’s leaves turning brown?
Calathea Dottieleaves turning brownish are a signal that the plant life is n’t getting the right amount of humidity . When the humidity levels are not 60 - percent or above , the air becomes too ironical for the tropical Calathea and its leaves start out to dry out , become brittle , and turn brown .
This is because low-spirited humidity levels prevent the Calathea Dottie from absorbing enough water .
gratefully , you’re able to prevent this leaves turn brown from occurring by using a humidifier , drip tray , or misting the plant ’s leave-taking . In most pillow slip , you will need to use a compounding of those three methods to ensure that Calathea Dottie is experience the veracious amount of humidity .
Why are myCalathea Dottie’s leaves turning yellow?
yellow parting are most often the result of overwatering yourCalathea Dottie . While this industrial plant does like moist soil , it can rapidly become damaged when you over hydrate it . If the overwatering continues , theCalathea Dottiewill develop root rot and the works could break in a matter of days .
When you have overwatered the Calathea Dottie , immediately quit all watering and allow the soil dry out out before establish the plant something to fuddle . If the overwatering has cover for an extended period of time , the plant will have to be repot in fresh soil .
This requires remove the plant life from its original container , getting disembarrass of all the soil it is presently grow in , cleaning and sanitizing the pot , and then embed the Calathea Dottie back into the container with fresh , dry soil .
