Calathea Stromata Care Guide

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Just like many other species of Calathea, the Calathea Stromata is a fussy plant and requires specific care needs in order for it to thrive. It can be recognised by its beautiful dark green markings on lighter green leaves.  Our Calathea Stromata care guide should get you set up on how to best look after this amazing plant.

Light

Since it comes from the tropics, Calathea Stromata will need indirect light in order to thrive as it is used to growing under the canopy of other plants in its natural environment. Direct sunlight can damage the leaves of the Stromata plant so it is better to keep it back away from light sources. They can often tolerate low light but a medium light condition will probably be best for your plant. A north or east facing room should provide the right amount of light for this plant, or if you have them in a south or west facing room try pulling them back from the window or using a sheer curtain.

Watering

Calathea Stromata need to be watered regularly or they will wilt and die. Don’t wait for the soil to dry out completely, instead check the top two inches and as it is beginning to dry rewater your plant. Even though they need to be watered regularly it’s important you don’t overwater the Calathea Stromata, so make you sure you have drainage holes in the pot you are using. Regular tap water may cause leaf burning, so if this happens try switching to filtered water to remove the chlorine.

If you find it difficult to know when your plant needs watering then a moisture probe could help you. These are designed

Humidity

Calathea Stromata prefer higher humidity levels as they originate from the tropics. They will also tolerate medium levels of humidity but as the air becomes drier they will start to struggle and you may notice crisping of their leaves. If you’re from an area with low humidity then a humidifier would be beneficial for your plant. If you don’t want to introduce a humidifier into your plant care then a mister can help to provide your plants with extra humidity.

Soil

As Calathea Stromata like to be kept moist it’s important that they’re given a potting mix that can keep moisture in. A regular potting mix with added peat moss and perlite can create the jungle style soil that is necessary for maintaining moisture.

Temperature

These plants like to be kept warm as long as the air remains moist and doesn’t dry out. If you keep them in colder temperatures they won’t do very well, especially if kept near a drought, so keep them away from doors and windows.

Fertiliser

If a fertiliser is too strong it can burn the leaves of your Calathea Stromata, so make sure you use a weak diluted fertiliser for your plant. You only need to feed it during the growing season which is spring and summer and you can leave your plant during the cold months where it won’t be putting out a lot of new growth. During the growing season we would recommend feeding your plant approximately once a month.

Propagation

Propagation of Calathea Stromata can be done by root division. The best way to do this is to wait until the new shoots of plant are established and then separate them by gently pulling the roots apart being careful to break as few as possible. Once you have the new section of plant simply pot it with a Calathea appropriate potting mix, we would recommend regular potting soil, perlite and peat moss. When repotting your new plant shoot

So to summarise, in order to care for a Calathea Stromata you need:

• Medium indirect light
• Frequent watering
• Medium to high humidity
• Peat and perlite based soil

Calathea Stromata FAQ

Below we have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Calathea Stromata care. Even with a care guide, these plants can be difficult to look after so make sure you check out

Is Calathea Stromata an easy plant to take care of?

No Calathea Stromata is not a particularly easy plant to take care of. Calathea plants are known for being fussy and requiring a bit more extra care to look after. Even though they’re not the easiest plant you can quickly get used to their individual care requirements.

Is Calathea Stromata a jungle plant?

Yes just like many other species of Calathea, the Stromata plant comes from the tropics so is used to jungle like growing conditions.

Can I keep my Calathea Stromata in the bathroom?

Yes a bathroom is a great place for this plant as it like to be kept warm and humid. As long as your bathroom doesn’t get cold and it receives plenty of indirect light then your Stromata plant should do just fine in a bathroom.

Is Calathea Stromata easy to come by?

Although not as common as other plants, Calathea and being sold more and more often in plant shops around Europe and North America. And if you’re unable to find one in a local plant shop then you should have some luck online.

Do Calathea Stromata plants need to be watered regularly?

Yes they do, they like to be kept moist so it’s important that they are watered often and not allowed to dry out.

Is misting good for Calathea Stromata?

A room with high humidity would be best for this plant but if you are unable to provide that then misting would certaintly be beneficial for a Calathea Stromata.

Should I fertilise my Calathea Stromata every week?

Your plant does not need to be fertilised this week and it can actually be counter productive. It would be more beneficial if you fertilised your Calathea either once a fortnight or once a month.