The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Calatheaare a tropical houseplants popular for the bold markings on their abundant foliage.
The variegated foliage of the calathea ‘White Fusion’ cultivar features a green leaf with contrasting white markings.
The underside has a magenta hue that runs down the stems.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
You should regularly wipe down the calathea ‘White Fusion’ large leaves to remove dust.
Removing dust from leaves allows the plant to breathe well.
Don’t use any leaf shine products; they can cause damage.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Don’t panic if you see an infrequent, small amount of discoloration.
Brown tips are to be expected; the foliage on this cultivar is delicate.
The wrong light level may cause poor development of thevariegation on the plant.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
This plant needs filtered bright light.
Overly wet soils can lead toroot rotand bacterial and fungal issues.
Ensure the plant’s pot has suitable drainage holes.
Once the top inch of soil is dry, your plant needs more water.
In the summer, you’ll likely water once a week.
However, room temperature tap water is fine.
Temperature and Humidity
Avoid temperature extremes.
Although it likes warmer temperatures, sweltering heat can be too much for this plant.
Also, the drying conditions from heating units can be a problem in decimating humidity levels.
Or, you couldinvest in a humidifierthat benefits a variety of tropical houseplants.
Keep your calathea ‘White Fusion’ out of direct drafts but strike a balance by providing decent ventilation.
Pick a nitrogen-rich fertilizer designed for houseplants with dense foliage.
The plant will only need a weak dose or half the strength recommended on the fertilizer container.
It can be propagated by division, leaf node cutting, or sown seeds.
Useroot divisiononly if the mother plant is healthy.
Dividing your plant helps you maintain your plant’s size and keeps the plant thriving.
Plant the seed about 1/4-inch deep.
Cover the container with plastic wrap to increase humidity and maintain warm soil.
If the soil needs warming, use a heating pad to help spur germination.
Put the pot in a bright but indirectly lit location.
It can take up to a month for the seeds to sprout.
Replant into a larger container, at least 2-inches larger.
Calathea plants that get rootbound invite fungal infections that will kill the plant.
Increase the size of the container an inch or two each time.
Repot your plant in spring or early summer during its active growing season.
Water it thoroughly the day or two before repotting to lessen the stress on the plant.
Overwintering
All calathea plants are tropical and will not survive a frost or freezing winter.
Keep the plant away from drafts and heaters.
Keep the humidity high around the plant and mist the plant, if necessary.
Temperature shifts are shocking for this plant and may cause a few leaves to drop.
Other common pests include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.
you could treat each with horticultural oil orinsecticidal soap.
Take the plant out of the pot and inspect the roots below the soil line to treat root rot.
Yellow roots are fine, but if they are brown, you must treat rotting roots immediately.
Using sterile pruning snips or a knife, cut away any brown or mushy roots and discard them.
Wash the pot in warm soapy water.
Replace the soil with fresh, well-draining soil.
Treat the place where the root was cut with an antifungal and plant it in the fresh soil.
Keep the soil loose in the container so the roots can breathe.
But when calathea are grown indoors, they very rarely bloom.
However, the flowers are not much to look at and have no fragrance.
They are sensitive about their humidity, temperature, drafts, water level, and lighting.
Leaves Turning Brown
Leaves turn yellow, brown, or die when calathea white fusion is overwatered.
Move the plant further away from the window to protect the plant’s delicate leaves.
Increase water frequency or volume.
Find a spot with filtered or dappled light to fix this situation.
Calatheas do not like direct sun.
Avoid south-facing spots where intense direct sunlight is common.
East, west, or north-facing windows usually work well.
Or you might diffuse bright light under a sheer curtain.
These plants also thrive under plant grow lights.
Stromanthe sanguine is a closely related plant to calathea.
It is also called ‘Triostar’ or ‘Tricolor’.
Its foliage resembles crocodile scales.
Both calathea and maranta plants belong to theMarantaceaefamily and are often called prayer plants.
However, the maranta is a “true prayer plant.”
for its leaf’s movement during the day.
Prayer plant leaves shift up in a vertical “praying hand” position in the evening.
