Calathea Veitchiana Care

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Calathea Veitchiana is one of the grandest members of the Calathea family, with it’s beautiful rounded leaves and intricate patterns it also goes by the name Calathea Medallion. It can be a show stopping plant as it puts out amazing large round leaves but like most Calathea it can be difficult to care for and the leaves can damage easily. That’s why we’ve put together this Calathea Veitchiana care guide for you to help you look after your plant.

Light

The best kind of light for this plant is low to medium indirect light. It does not need bright light and it certainly does not need direct light. Calathea Veitchiana will suffer under direct sunlight, their leaves will become brown and scorched and this can eventually kill the plant. An early warning sign that a Calathea Veitchiana is receiving too much light is that its leaves will start to curl in on themselves as a means of protection.

Watering

Like most types of Calathea the Calathea Veitchiana needs to be watered often. If it is left to completely dry out then this can severely damage the plant and eventually kill it. Instead you should be allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and then water it thoroughly. Although it’s a plant that likes to be kept watered this doesn’t mean that it wants to sit in water so make sure your pot has drainage holes and that the soil isn’t left soggy.

Humidity

This plant like moderate to high levels of humidity. If it is left somewhere where the air is too dry then this can cause the leaves to crisp. Once the leaves have crisped this damage cannot be undone so it’s better to keep the air nice and moist for them to prevent the damage in the first place. Misting your plants can also help the leaves get the extra moisture they need.

Fertiliser

As Calathea can be sensitive plants its better to dilute fertiliser before you use it as too much can cause the leaves to scorch. If you find that your plant reacts negatively to fertiliser then you could try watering it first so that your plant takes up less of the fertiliser. You also want to limit feeding your plants to the growing season.

Soil

A well draining soil is necessary as you’ll be watering your plant regularly. Just like for many of our plants we would recommend a well balanced soil with added perlite for aeration. Our favourite perlite to use is Espoma.

Curling Leaves

Curling leaves is a common theme that we get asked about regarding Calathea Veitchiana and we are here to help. There are normally two main cause of leaves curling in on themselves and that is light and water. If they are placed in an area that is too bright or if they are underwatered a Calathea Veitchiana will often curl its leaves to conserve water. So if you notice your plant doing this the first thing you should do is check the soil. If the soil feels dry then it is likely to be the cause and you need to water your plant immediately.

The second thing you need to check is light, as we’ve mentioned Calathea Veitchiana don’t do well under bright direct light conditions. If you’ve got your Calathea too close to a light source then your plant will start to do this. Just move it a bit away from the light source so it’s still receiving light but not as intense and you should see some improvement.

Calathea Veitchiana FAQ

Calathea Veitchiana care can be difficult but if you follow our care guide then you should be in with good chance of success. Jus tin case your have any issues why not take a look at our Calathea Vetichiana/Medallion frequently asked questions.

Are Calathea Veitchiana and Calathea Medallion the same plant?

Yes Calathea Veitchiana and Calathea Medallion are the same plant. Veitchiana is its official botanical name and Medallion is the common name given to it due to the appearance of its round almost medallion like leaves.

How big does Calathea Veitchiana grow?

Your Calathea Veitchiana will not grow very tall but it can put out lots of leaves and become incredibly bushy which makes it a fantastic statement piece.

Why are the leaves of my Calathea Veitchiana curling?

The leaves of your Calathea Veitchiana could be curling due to light or watering. If this plant is placed too near a light source or if you underwater it then this can cause the leaves to curl in on themselves.

Why are my Calathea Medallion leaves crisping?

Direct sunlight can cause the leaves of your Calathea Medallion to crisp as the sun scorches them. Another common cause is unfiltered water. Depending on where you live some water can cause crisping on leaves and purchasing some kind of water filter can really help with this.

When should I repot Calathea Medallion?

Calathea Medallion don’t grow particularly quickly and neither does their root system. You could probably repot this plant once a year at the start of the growing in a pot one size up. If you notice that your plant is growing more slowly when it comes to repotting time and the roots haven’t filled the pot then just leave and check back on your plant at a later date. If for some reason your root is bursting out of its pot and growing really quickly then feel free to repot your plant sooner. Once a year can be a good rule of thumb but always be ready to make a judgement call regarding your plant’s care.

If you have any other questions about the Calathea Medallion be sure to let us know in the comments below. Taking care of a Calathea Veitchiana can b a difficult task but the fact that you’re here looking for tips and tricks is a sign that you’re probably going to be alright.