Calathea Watering Guide – How Often and When to Water?

You might feel nervous when watering your new plants, especially your beautiful Calatheas. If something unusual happens during the process, everyone wants this enchanting plant to undue stress!

People wondering how often and when to water their Calathea plants should breathe a sigh of relief because our ultimate watering guide comprises everything you need to figure out how to water your Calatheas.

Aim to water your Calathea every 1-2 weeks or when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Keep the soil slightly moist but not saturated. Avoid overwatering and underwatering, as both harm the health of plants.

Follow our blog post to learn Calathea watering schedule, the factors affecting watering frequency, and how to check that it needs water.

Factors Affecting The Watering Frequency of Calathea Plants

Calatheas, known as prayer plants, are famous for their vibrant foliage and unique leaf patterns. Due to their tropical nature and environmental conditions that affect soil moisture content, they require relatively high water.

The following factors affect the watering frequency of your Prayer plant.

Sunlight

Calathea placed under bright, direct light needs more frequent watering than those growing under lower light. Sunny conditions cause the soil to dry out quickly.

Therefore, water indoor plants every 5-7 days to grow them in medium to bright indirect light, and water plants grow under low light every 10-14 days.

Plant and Pot Size

Younger, smaller calatheas growing in 4-6 inch pots require more frequent watering than larger, more established plants growing in 8-10 inch pots.

Soil in small pots holds less moisture and dries out quickly, so they need frequent watering. As the plant grows, you can adjust the timing between waterings.

Potting Mix

The soil mixture also affects the watering frequency of Calatheas.

A well-draining potting mix designed for tropical plants like Calatheas allows excess water to drain and retain a small amount.

On the other hand, standard soil stays overly soggy, reducing the watering requirements.

Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage and adjust the watering frequency.

Humidity and Air Circulation

Calathea prefers humid conditions to thrive, but too much stagnant water around the leaves encourages pest and disease attacks. Maintaining air circulation with a fan and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings helps adjust the watering frequency.

Similarly, drier air evaporates the soil moisture faster, meaning it’s time to water your plant. Therefore, avoid drafty areas that can dry out your houseplant.

Seasons

High temperatures and low humidity levels cause soil to lose moisture quickly in longer daylight hours. Therefore, Calatheas need more frequent watering. Similarly, water your plant more often when the AC blasts in a summer heatwave. You can also increase humidity by misting Calathea leaves and placing the pot on a pebble tray.

On the other hand, in winter, when the temperature is low, plants retain moisture for a more extended period. Therefore, watering frequency is reduced in winter months.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing boosts plant growth rate and causes these houseplants to use up the soil moisture faster. Enhanced growth affects the watering requirements of the pants.

Increase the water frequency when regularly feeding the plant during its growth seasons.

In winter, plants don’t need fertilizers due to stunted growth. Therefore, watering frequency is reduced when light and growth slow down.

How to Determine That Your Calathea Watering Needs?

Checking the soil using different techniques is the best way to determine when your Calathea needs water. These techniques include:

1. The Finger Test

A finger test is the best way to gauge soil moisture. It involves sticking your finger 1-2 inches into the soil.

If the top soil layer feels dry, then it’s time to water your Prayer plant. However, if it is still damp, hold off the watering for another day or two.

2. The Chopstick Test

The chopstick test is another method to determine when to water your indoor Calathea plant. It involves inserting a wooden chopstick, skewer, or stick into the soil. If the stick comes out with damp soil sticking to it, your plant doesn’t need water.

However, if it comes out clean, the soil has dried out, and your plant needs water. So, water it as soon as possible.

3. By Lifting the Pot

This method involves picking up the pot to feel its weight. If the pot feels lighter, it indicates no moisture in the potting mix, and you should water your Calathea.

However, if the pot feels heavier, enough moisture or water is present, indicating that you should hold off on watering until the soil goes dry.

5 Signs Indicating Your Calathea Needs Water

Calatheas thrive in constantly moist but not soggy soil. Plant parents often make this mistake by allowing the soil to dry out too much between waterings. When the soil dries out, the plant shows signs of underwatering.

It is best to water them based on the soil moisture. However, the following signs indicate that your plant is thirsty and needs immediate watering.

· Drooping Leaves: When the soil gets too dry, the leaves start curling and drooping, indicating your plants need water.

· Color Loss: The leaves look dull, and their color fades when Calatheas are thirsty. Their bright color will return when you water them.

· Wrinkled Leaves: Plants produce wrinkled leaves when the soil is dry. This is also a sign that your Calathea needs water.

· Crispy Brown Edges: When the plant is dehydrated, its leaves become brown and crispy at the edges. Therefore, water them to restore their natural look.

· Sticky or Dry Soil: Hardened soil that doesn’t stick to your finger indicates that your plant is thirsty and needs watering.

If you notice these signs, don’t panic. Give your Calathea a good, deep watering. It will perk up within a day or two. In addition, get your watering schedule on track.

How Often You Should Water Your Calathea Based on Seasons

As a tropical plant, Calatheas need more frequent watering and humid conditions to grow well. As mentioned, their watering frequency depends on their growth, pot size, season, light exposure, and soil type.

Generally, aim to water them when the top two inches of the soil feel dry or every 1-2 weeks. But this duration varies with the seasonal changes.

How Often and When to Water Calathea in Summer?

In summer, Calatheas grow actively and need more water due to:

Therefore, water them every 5-7 days and assess the soil moisture and water accordingly.

How Often and When to Water Calathes in Winter?

In winter, Calatheas go dormant and show limited growth due to:

Therefore, hold off the watering if the soil is moist and water them every 10-14 days.

Similarly, the temperature also falls in the fall season. Therefore, back off the watering frequency and water your houseplants every 7-10 days.

These general timeframes work for most Calathea plants in an average home environment.

How to Water Calathea Correctly? Best Practices to Follow

Follow these tips or workarounds to water your Calatheas correctly and keep them happy and healthy.

· Water early in the day so leaves can dry thoroughly before nighttime.

· Keep watering them until water drains out from the bottom of the pot. This thoroughly saturates the soil.

· Water the plants with room temperature filtered or distilled water, and avoid using tap water as it contains chemicals that can harm leaves.

· Raise the bottom of the pot above the water line by adding pebbles or gravel to the saucer.

· Give marvels of misting as Calathea comes from humid jungles and loves humidity. You can use lukewarm water for this, which helps evaporate harsh minerals.

· Hydrate your Calathea by allowing it to soak. For this, remove it from the ceramic pot and keep it in its nursery pot.

· Avoid overwatering your plant as it causes soil to become soggy, stems to become mushy, a foul odor from plants, and the plant produces droopy, mushy, and yellowing leaves. Similarly, you may observe root rot due to overwatering.

Thus, follow these techniques to ensure proper plant care.

Also check How to Save a Dying Calathea Plant?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Calatheas need a lot of water?

Calathea plants like moderately humid conditions and want their soil to stay moist but not wet. The frequency and amount of watering they require vary significantly according to seasons and environmental conditions.

Is it better to bottomwater your Calathea?

Bottom watering ensures hydration. So, check the soil moisture using your finger or a meter and adjust the watering according to season and light. Water Calathea more in summer and less in winter.

Final Words About Calathea Watering

That’s all about how often and when to water your Calathea plants.

Water your Calathea plants more often when the soil has gone dry and the plant is producing crispy, wrinkled, and droopy leaves. Your plant also needs water in bright light conditions, high temperatures, rapid growing seasons, and low humidity.

Thus, asses Calathea’s watering needs by finger test, chopstick test, and by lifting the pot. Then, adjust watering frequencies accordingly.