Why a Calathea Plant Gets Brown Leaves
I repotted this calathea plant after purchase & water from the tray. What is the browning from? I used standard potting soil.
Thank you in advance!
Barb
Hi Barb,
Brown leaf tips on a Calathea plant are usually the result of a watering issue. A Calathea plant is very sensitive to the water you use. Hard water, soft water, fluoridated water, or water of poor quality causes the leaves to turn brown from leaf burn. The best way to water is to use distilled water, rain water, or allow your tap water to sit out over night before using it. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Allow the top 2-3” to dry out before watering. Never let a Calathea plant sit in water. Just for future reference, never repot a new plant for at least 6 weeks after you purchase it. The plant needs time to adjust to its new environment and transplantation is quite a shock to it.
You can read all my care tips for a calathea plant in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.