Calathea Dottie Care | Top Tips

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Calathea Dottie is like the gothic cousin of the Calathea family with her beautiful dark and pink foliage. Just like many other species of Calathea she can be fussy and difficult to look after, but for the same reason we continue to collect these plants, she really is stunning. If you follow our Calathea Dottie care guide then you should get a good idea of how it needs looking after but if you do have problems with this plant then you’re not alone.

Light

It’s very important that your Calathea Dottie does not receive direct light. If this plant is placed underneath direct sunlight it can burn the leaves and damage the plant. Firstly it can cause the colours to fade but even deeper than that it can cause substantial damage. Instead find a spot for it where it receives medium strength light and is protected from the sun. For this reason a north or east facing room can be a great choice.

Watering

Calathea are a plant that need to be watered often, they need to be kept fairly moist but this doesn’t mean that they should be sitting in water. You will probably need to water your Calathea Dottie around once a week but it’s better to gauge each plant individually. Check the moisture of the soil and as the top two inches are starting to dry out then it’s time to give your plant a drink. You might also find that tap water is too harsh for this plant and you may want to consider using filtered water instead.

Soil

Try to find a well draining soil. Since you need to water this plant often it’s important that the soil doesn’t remain soggy, so use a well balanced potting mix in a pot with drainage holes. We would also suggest adding perlite to the soil.

Humidity

Calathea Dottie will do well in higher levels of humidity. If the air is too dry the leaves will start to crisp and once this damage has happened it cannot be repaired. Misting your plant several times a week can help your plant get the moisture it needs but getting a humidifier can be an excellent solution to dry air in your home.

Our favourite humidifier is the Levoit model that you can find on Amazon. It has both cool and warm mist, automation, a high capacity and comes with a nifty little remote.

Propagation

Propagation can be done through root division. If you try to take a cutting from this plant you won’t have much luck. Instead wait until new shoots start appearing from out of the soil. When this happens take your plant out of its pot and gently pull the sections apart being careful not to damage any roots in the process. Once you have separated the segments repot the old plant and plant the new section into a pot of its own with a well draining potting mix.

Temperature

Keep your Calathea Dottie on the warmer side. If the plant gets too cold or if it is placed near a drought then you may notice it starts doing badly. If the air is warm make sure that it doesn’t become too dry as the plant doesn’t like this either. Finally keep it away from fires, radiators and heating systems to keep it from drying out.

Fertiliser

Like all Calathea plants, the Calathea Dottie can be sensitive to fertiliser so it’s important that you dilute the plant feed you use. Only feed your plant during the growing season and leave it over the winter months. It also does not require that much fertiliser and if you use too much it can burn the leaves so we would recommend fertilising once a month throughout spring and summer.

 

Calathea Dottie FAQ

Calathea Dottie can be a tricky plant to look after even if you do follow our Calathea Dottie care guide so if you find you’re still having problems with your plant or you just have some queries then take a look at some of the most recently asked questions right here.

Why are the leaves of my Calathea Dottie curling?

The leaves of your plant could be curling due to intense light or a lack of water. When these plants are underwatered or placed in sources of strong light this can cause their leaves to curl inwards in order to protect themselves. Test the moisture of the soil and try moving your plant to a less bright spot to see if this helps with the leaf curling issue.

Where should I keep my Calathea Dottie?

Keep your Calathea Dottie away from drafts and heating systems and make sure it has access to medium indirect light. It’s important that your plant is not placed in direct sunlight as this can scorch and damage it’s leaves. Humidity is also very beneficial to Calathea plants so a kitchen or bathroom can be good.

Are Calathea Dottie difficult to care for?

Yes Calathea Dottie can be relatively difficult to care for like all Calathea plants but if you follow your Calathea Dottie care guide then there is no reason why you shouldn’t get one of these plants even if you are a beginner.

Are Calathea Dottie really pink?

Yes Calathea Dottie have realy beautiful pink colouring on their foliage which can make them such an appealing houseplant.

Do Calathea Dottie have similar care needs to other Calathea?

Yes Calathea Dottie does have similar care needs to other types of Calathea which means if you already have one type of Calathea you should be fine with this type as well. It also means that keeping them together can be beneficial for the plants.

Can I keep Calathea Dottie with my other Calathea?

Yes we would recommend keeping all of your Calathea together. As they have similar care requirements it can be easier to find the optimal light, temperature and humidity for them if you keep them in the same place.