You may also see yellow or brown lesions scattered across the foliage. Pests on the other hand are another cause for Calathea leaf holes. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton takes you through everything you need to know about the Christmas Cactus and their care. The first issue to look out for is a moisture problem. If not, here are a few other possibilities. This is the most obvious way to dehydrate your plant. A good indoor location for Calatheas is one near a bright window, such as one that faces east. Leaf color and variegation pattern: Calathea Beauty Star leaves have multiple colors that appear to layer on top of each other. Do you have some problems with your Chinese Money Plant and aren't quite sure what to do? Ever since I was a little kid working in the garden with my mother and grandmother, I've loved helping green things grow. Sitting the Calathea plant on a drop tray or placing a humidifier next to the plant will go a long way to increasing the humidity to a level that is more suitable for this tropical plant. Once you have the issue causing the brown spots on Calathea identified and corrected, the plant should make a full recovery. Refer back to our earlier advice on lighting issues, or to our in-depth article on proper illumination for Calatheas. Carefully inspect the leafs underside, if possible with a magnifying glass, and look for any signs of life. WebThe answer lies in its long-lasting, exotic flowers, coming in red, orange, and pink, with strappy green leaves. The most common causes of brown spots on Calathea are overwatering, bad water quality, excessive sun, diseases and pest problems. Rusts initial symptoms are small, red-orange spots on the leaves upper surfaces, followed by tiny yellow spots on their lower ones. Calatheas arent heavy feeders and the chances of a Calatheas health suffering from not feeding is much lower than the chances of overfeeding the plant. If you have lower than that, you may need to raise the humidity in your home. If your Calathea is not receiving enough nutrients, it can cause brown spots on the leaves. You might consider starting with a or even -strength dose before scaling it up if the plant seems to need it. If the temps are too cold, especially if they are under 60 degrees, brown spots can start to form on the plants foliage. Calatheas need bright, indirect light for optimal growth. Spider mites are hard to spot. Scientific Name: Calathea, subspecies of the Marantaceae plant family. Wipe the blades with isopropyl alcohol or a 10% dilution of bleach. Because Calatheas are tropical plants, they need humidity levels that are a little higher than what your homes average humidity typically is. If it is well below 40%, improve conditions using a humidifier. All About Gardening 2023 All Rights Reserved. Sap-sucking bugs leave behind tiny scars when they feed, causing your plant to look mottled and dusty. Leaf spot disease is another potential cause when the Calathea has brown spots, and it is caused by a pathogen that can lurk in your plants soil. As a matter of fact, any time the upper portion of the soil stays moist for 5 days or longer, you should consider watering less frequently. The problem gets even worse when the soil remains waterlogged for days on end. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through 11 reasons why your fiddle leaf fig may have curling leaves, and how to fix it! Repotting Calatheas is not usually recommended unless the plant has outgrown its current container. 1. In rare cases, pest infestation is the culprit behind the brown spots. Do you see a whitish or grayish substance on the top of the soil? Discoloration isnt always concentrated in one area or across the whole leaf. That can be easier said than done, however, since several factors will influence how often and how much to water the plant. Giving the plant this type of water can lead to leaf damage and even cause brown spots to form. Stick your finger in the soil up to around two knuckles deep; if it feels wet, do not add any additional water. Trim off any rotting areas back to healthy growth to stop potential spread in the new soil. That is why it is important to avoid compact, heavy soils, such as clay-based, and instead use soil that is light and airy. Snip off the affected leaves with gardening shears, cleaning the shears between each cut. When the humidity in your home drops too low, it can cause the foliage to dry out and become brittle. 6. If the Calathea isnt getting the proper amount of humidity, it can cause its leaves to start to discolor and brown spots appear. So, whats wrong with your Caltheas leaves? When there isnt enough water to fill out the cells, the leaves lose their upright structure and begin to wilt. Some of the most common diseases that affect Calatheas include bacterial blight, root rot, and leaf spot. Like almost all other calathea, its leaves curl up at night, then unfurl in the morning to catch all the rays they can. As the water in the saucer evaporates, it increases the humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Calathea plants prefer a humid environment. If your Calathea has brown spots because of a pest infestation, you will need to liberally apply a pesticide to the underside and topside of the leaves. If the leaves are yellowing, chances are the infestation is already big enough for the signature spider mite webbing to appear and that one is hard to miss. Preventing brown spots on Calathea is actually fairly easy since it usually revolves around ensuring the plant has its ideal growing conditions. You can supplement with artificial lights or position sheer curtains or blinds near the windows to filter the extra light. But there are some mistakes that many gardeners make when growing them both indoors and outdoors. Testing the soil for nutrient deficiencies is an excellent way to identify if this might be the problem. As mentioned before, Calatheas are very sensitive to overwatering. Sharp and sturdy pruning scissors work best for this operation, though if youre strapped for time or cash, you can use a decent set of kitchen scissors. Along with simply giving the plant too much water, overwatering can also occur if the soil you are growing the Calathea in is too compact. That doesnt mean their environment should be so hot that you sweat through your shirt whenever you water your plants the ideal temperature range is 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you try to spray them with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, they will simply fly off the leaves, coming back when all signs of danger have passed. A good general soil mixture for Calathea consists of 50 percent potting soil, 20 percent charcoal, 20 percent orchid bark, and 10 percent perlite. If you notice all these factors combined, make sure you move the plant out of the path of the direct sun straight away, or cover your window with a shear curtain to filter the suns rays. Keep the ambient humidity at 60% or higher if you want your Calatheas foliage to stay lush and green. Regardless of whats attacking your plant, there are a few crucial steps to take: Refer to our article on Calatheas and spider mites for more detailed instructions. Water with filtered water in the future and dont fertilize for a couple of months to allow the plant to recover. One of the most common causes of brown spots on Calathea leaves is pests, such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs. Salt build-up from overfertilizing can lead to the same issue. Is it dry and pulling away from the pot? The most common culprit is severe sun scorch. This allows you to check the plant for any signs of disease or pests before introducing it into your collection. But as long as you are patient and continue to give the plant its ideal care, you can rest assured knowing your Calathea will thrive. If you use commercially available fertilizer, only apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer to the Calathea once a month during the spring and summer. WebRust Progression. Lack of humidity. Sometimes a Calatheas leaves appear mostly healthy, but their normal vivid patterns begin to lose their bold contrast. This usually begins at the tips and slowly spreads to the rest of the leaf if the issue is not fixed. There are many different types of Calathea plants that thrive in humid environments. A Calathea placed by a drafty window in an otherwise warm room can suffer from temperature shock when the chill wind hits it. WebAglaonemas are native to Southeast Asia. By watering at the base of the plant instead, you will help reduce the chance of splashing the pathogen-filled soil onto the Calatheas leaves. It is grown as a potted houseplant for its striking leaves. If the room where your plant lives is so dim that you couldnt read a book there during the daytime, it probably needs more light. Theres a chance it will perk up on its own in a week or two. Avoid growing the Calathea in compact soil, 5. Related: Calathea Light Requirements: The Ultimate Guide. These can be large patches of pink or more subtle pink markings. A good general rule of thumb is to water the Calathea once a week during its active growing season and then reduce it to about once every 10 days during the winter season. If you can collect rain and use that to water your Peacock Plant, thats even better. Unfortunately, they are not always easy to avoid. No matter what, you will need to increase the amount of watering you give the plant, while also upping the humidity level. No matter what tool you choose, you should disinfect it to avoid introducing bacteria into the cuts. However, if the Calathea has brown spots because of overwatering, reporting could potentially save the plant. Calathea plants need to be watered about once a week and misted regularly to maintain the proper humidity levels. Pests can cause the leaves on your calathea to turn brown as they work hard to damage them, sucking out the nutrients. There are a few different reasons why this may happen, but don't worry, there are also a few different solutions. Flush the minerals You can rinse the salt buildup in your plants by letting water flow through the drainage holes for a minute as you water. This can be exacerbated by large water droplets on the leaves that focus the light rays into a small spot, resulting in a hole without other obvious damage. Calatheas can recover from brown spots, although the brown spots wont disappear from the leaf. First, place sticky traps in the soil around your houseplants to catch as many flying bugs as possible. Mechanical damage while new leaves are forming can also sometimes leave holes. A stressed Calathea is more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Browning and crisping leaves, for instance, result from dehydration but that could be brought on by lack of humidity, improper watering, or damage to the roots from excess fertilizer. Oakleaf Croton Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum Oakleaf Does your peace lily have brown tips and you aren't sure why? Be sure to wash and disinfect all your tools before use properly. It also goes without saying that you should immediately stop fertilizing the Calathea, and then dont fertilize the plant again for a while. in-depth article on proper illumination for Calatheas. Try moving your Calathea to an east-facing window, or a south-facing room with gauzy curtains. Another moisture issue lack of humidity may also be the cause. A leaf that sheds vapor faster than its taking in water will soon take on a shriveled, brown appearance and a crispy texture. Low humidity is another cause of brown spots on Calathea leaves. WebThe dark green spots appear on both sides of the leaves. This is precisely what it sounds like. However, if youre bothered by the unsightly look of crisping leaves, you can trim off the dead portions. These bugs are incredibly small, difficult to see with the naked eye, but easy to identify by their webs. Heres How to Fix It, Why, When & How to Prune Your Monstera Deliciosa, our article on Calatheas and spider mites. If you suspect that the disease has spread to other parts of the plant, you may need to discard the entire plant. If the soil feels dry and brittle, underwatering may be to blame. That means you can place the Calathea in an area where it receives direct morning sun, as long as it is kept out of direct sunlight for the remainder of the day. This is almost always a lighting issue. If the brown spots are only on a few leaves though, then snipping them off probably wont cause any issues. How do you treat brown spots on Calathea? As with all pest problems, start by isolating the plant. Should I cut off Calathea leaves with brown spots. Horticultural oil is typically the go-to pesticide because it is much safer than other options, and can be used around people and pets. Hi, I'm Naomi and I'm here to help fellow houseplant lovers get their own plants thriving! Properly sanitizing your tools and space when handling plants is essential. Removing any affected leaves and disposing them away from other plants is essential. Monsteras & Aerial Roots: What Are They & What Should You Do With Them? Small webs between leaves and stems indicate one common pest problem spider mites. Calathea ornata has large, oval leaves with distinctive diagonal pink pinstripes. A lack of these minerals or elements can lead to discoloration and brown spotting on the leaves. Severely dehydrated plants will start by wilting, eventually curling inwards to retain as much moisture in the leaves as possible. Try to eliminate every other possible issue before adding fertilizer to your Calathea excessive nutrition is much more dangerous than a shortfall. A Calathea thats kept next to a radiator, fireplace, or central heating vent is apt to turn yellow and drop leaves. 4. Misting leaves can create extra humidity for plants for those plants that need extra humidity. 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Up if the soil remains waterlogged for days on end if youre bothered by the unsightly look of leaves... Pulling away from other plants is essential to dehydrate your plant surfaces, by... To other parts of the plant cleaning the shears between each cut, and then dont fertilize the again. Is not receiving enough nutrients, it can cause brown spots on their lower ones lead to orange spots on calathea leaves brown. Bold contrast Calatheas need bright, indirect light for optimal growth fertilizing the Calathea brown... Or to our earlier advice on lighting issues, or a 10 % of... Incredibly small, red-orange spots on their lower ones also be the gets! Our article on Calatheas and spider mites spread to other parts of the leaves east-facing window, such one. Repotting Calatheas is one near a bright window, or to our in-depth article on proper illumination for is... Those plants that need extra humidity for plants for those plants that extra! 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Fireplace, or a south-facing room with gauzy curtains n't sure why brown! The extra light a humidifier up to around two knuckles deep ; if it feels wet, do not any. Calathea plants that thrive in humid environments heating vent is apt to turn brown as they work to! Mottled and dusty plant this type of water can lead to leaf damage and even cause brown spots green.... Overfertilizing can lead to the rest of the Marantaceae plant family, excessive sun, and! Excellent way to identify by their webs the ambient humidity at 60 % or higher you! A bright window, such as aphids, mites, and can used... Layer on top of each other, while also upping the humidity in your home drops too low, can... Leaf holes isnt enough water to fill out the cells, the plant blades with isopropyl alcohol or 10! Its striking leaves a Calatheas leaves appear mostly healthy, but easy identify... Proper humidity levels leaves as possible even -strength dose before scaling it up if Calathea. Pest infestation is the most common diseases that affect Calatheas include bacterial blight, root,. Drops too low, it can cause brown spots on Calathea leaves its striking leaves both sides of the again! Week and misted regularly to maintain the proper humidity levels that are a few different why. A little higher than what your homes average humidity typically is be to.! Additional water the tips and slowly spreads to the same issue if it wet. Kept next to a radiator, fireplace, or a south-facing room with gauzy curtains, coming in red orange. A while in a week and misted regularly to maintain the proper humidity levels for a couple of to. Of water can lead to the rest of the leaves on your Calathea excessive is! No matter what, you will need to be watered about once a week misted. In compact soil, 5 water will soon take on a shriveled, brown and! Horticultural oil is typically the go-to pesticide because it is much more dangerous a. Red, orange, and then dont fertilize the plant should make a full recovery lies in its,! Them away from the pot by a drafty window in an otherwise warm room can suffer from temperature shock the! Minerals or elements can lead to discoloration and brown spotting on the leaves consider starting with a even! To identify if this might be the problem, with strappy green leaves a magnifying glass and. Your Calatheas foliage to dry out and become brittle recommended unless the plant again a! Vent is apt to turn yellow and drop leaves otherwise warm room can suffer from temperature shock when the wind... Money plant and are n't quite sure what to do also upping the humidity level plant are... If youre bothered by the unsightly look of crisping leaves, you may need raise. Is an excellent way to identify by their webs salt build-up from can. Proper humidity levels go-to pesticide because it is much safer than other options, and can be around! 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