Calathea Yellow Leaves: Understanding Why Your Plant is Turning Yellow

Oleh Nick Oberbrunner Mei 24, 2023 Posting Komentar

Are you a plant parent who has been experiencing yellow leaves on your Calathea? Don't worry, you're not alone! Calatheas are known for their stunning foliage and vibrant colors, but they can be quite finicky when it comes to their care. One of the most common issues that Calathea owners face is yellowing leaves. In this blog post, we'll explore all the reasons why your Calathea's leaves might be turning yellow and what you can do to fix the issue.

Introduction: Understanding Calathea and their Care

Calatheas are a tropical plant native to South America. They are known for their vibrant foliage, which comes in a variety of colors and patterns. These plants are often used as houseplants because they thrive in low to medium light conditions and don't require much maintenance. However, even with the best care, Calatheas can still experience issues like yellowing leaves.

If you're new to caring for Calatheas, it's important to understand their needs. Calatheas prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity. They should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry, and they should never be allowed to sit in standing water. Additionally, Calatheas are sensitive to cold temperatures and should be kept in a warm room away from drafts.

Now that we've covered the basics of Calathea care, let's dive into the reasons why your Calathea's leaves might be turning yellow.

Reasons for Calathea Yellow Leaves

Overwatering
Underwatering
Low Humidity
Too Much Sunlight
Cold Temperatures
Pest Infestation
Nutrient Deficiency
Root Rot
Fungal Infection
Chemical Exposure
Natural Aging
Transplant Shock
Improper Soil pH
Inadequate Drainage
Genetic Factors

1. Overwatering

Calatheas are sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to root rot and yellowing leaves. If the soil is consistently damp or waterlogged, it's likely that you're overwatering your plant. To fix this issue, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. You may also need to repot your Calathea into a pot with better drainage.

2. Underwatering

On the other hand, underwatering can also cause yellowing leaves. If the soil is too dry, your Calathea will to droop and its leaves will turn yellow. To fix this issue, water your plant more frequently and make sure the soil stays consistently moist.

3. Low Humidity

Calatheas require high humidity to thrive, and low humidity can cause their leaves to turn yellow and crispy. To increase the humidity around your plant, you can use a humidifier, place a tray of water near the plant, or mist the leaves regularly.

4. Too Much Sunlight

While Calatheas prefer bright, indirect light, too much direct sunlight can cause their leaves to burn and turn yellow. If your Calathea is getting too much sun, move it to a shadier location.

5. Cold Temperatures

As mentioned earlier, Calatheas are sensitive to cold temperatures. If your plant is exposed to temperatures below 60°F (15°C), its leaves may turn yellow and drop off. Make sure your Calathea is kept in a warm room away from drafts.

6. Pest Infestation

Pests like spider mites and mealybugs can also cause yellowing leaves on Calatheas. If you notice any signs of pest infestation, such as webbing or sticky residue on the leaves, treat your plant with an insecticidal soap.

7. Nutrient Deficiency

If your Calathea is not getting enough nutrients, its leaves may to yellow and drop off. This can happen if you're not fertilizing your plant regularly or if the soil pH is too low. To fix this issue, feed your plant a balanced fertilizer every month and make sure the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.

8. Root Rot

Root rot is a common issue for Calatheas that are overwatered or planted in soil that doesn't drain well. If your plant has root rot, its leaves will turn yellow and the roots will appear brown and mushy. To save your plant, remove it from the soil, trim away any damaged roots, and repot it in fresh soil with better drainage.

9. Fungal Infection

Fungal infections like leaf spot can also cause yellowing leaves on Calatheas. If you notice any black or brown spots on your plant's leaves, treat it with a fungicide and make sure to remove any infected leaves.

10. Chemical Exposure

Exposure to chemicals like chlorine and fluoride can also cause yellowing leaves on Calatheas. If you suspect that your plant has been exposed to chemicals, switch to filtered or distilled water for watering.

11. Natural Aging

It's natural for Calathea leaves to yellow and die off as they age. If only a few leaves are turning yellow and the rest of the plant looks healthy, this is likely just a sign of natural aging.

12. Transplant Shock

If you recently repotted your Calathea, it may be experiencing transplant shock, which can cause its leaves to turn yellow and droop. To help your plant recover, make sure it's getting enough water and keep it in a warm, humid location.

13. Improper Soil pH

Calatheas prefer soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If the soil pH is too low or too high, your plant may experience yellowing leaves. To fix this issue, test the soil pH and adjust it as needed using lime or sulfur.

14. Inadequate Drainage

As mentioned earlier, Calatheas require well-draining soil to prevent root rot. If the soil doesn't drain well, your plant may experience yellowing leaves. To fix this issue, repot your Calathea in fresh soil with better drainage.

15. Genetic Factors

Finally, it's worth noting that some Calatheas are simply more prone to yellowing leaves than others due to genetic factors. If you've ruled out all other potential issues and your Calathea is still experiencing yellowing leaves, it may just be a natural trait of the plant.

: Take Action to Save Your Calathea

In conclusion, yellowing leaves on Calatheas can be caused by a variety of issues, from overwatering to pest infestations to genetic factors. However, by understanding the needs of your plant and taking quick action to address any issues, you can save your Calathea and keep its vibrant foliage looking healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. How often should I water my Calathea?

A1. Calatheas should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. This typically means watering once a week or so, but it can vary depending on the humidity levels and temperature in your home.

Q2. Can Calatheas handle direct sunlight?

A2. While Calatheas prefer bright, indirect light, they can be sensitive to direct sunlight. Too much sun can cause their leaves to burn and turn yellow.

Q3. How do I increase the humidity around my Calathea?

A3. You can increase the humidity around your Calathea by using a humidifier, placing a tray of water near the plant, or misting the leaves regularly.

Q4. Can I use tap water to water my Calathea?

A4. Tap water can contain chemicals like chlorine and fluoride, which can harm Calatheas. It's best to use filtered or distilled water for watering.

Q5. How often should I fertilize my Calathea?

A5. Calatheas should be fertilized once a month with a balanced fertilizer.

Q6. What is the ideal temperature range for Calatheas?

A6. Calatheas prefer temperatures between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C).

Q7. How do I repot my Calathea?

A7. To repot your Calathea, gently remove it from its current pot and shake off any excess soil. Trim away any damaged roots, then place the plant in a new pot with fresh soil and better drainage.

Q8. Can I propagate my Calathea?

A8. Yes, Calatheas can be propagated through division. Simply separate the plant into smaller sections and repot them in fresh soil.

Q9. Do Calatheas require pruning?

A9. While Calatheas don't require regular pruning, you can trim away any yellow or damaged leaves to promote healthy growth.

Q10. Why are the tips of my Calathea's leaves turning brown?

A10. Brown tips on Calathea leaves can be caused by low humidity, over-fertilization, or exposure to chemicals. Make sure your plant is getting enough humidity and fertilize it only once a month with a balanced fertilizer.