How Much Light Does Calathea Orbifolia Need?

Calathea orbifolia needs bright, indirect light. Placing it near a south-facing window should provide adequate light. Be sure to place it a short distance from the window, in the path of light, so its leaves don't get scorched. A sheer curtain on the window will also help to diffuse the light and protect your plant while providing sufficient light.

How do I Keep Calathea Orbifolia Happy?

Keeping your Calathea orbifolia happy is as simple as following proper care guidelines. Be sure your plant is getting enough light; temperatures and humidity should mimic the plant's native tropical environment. Try not to disturb your plant by moving it around, and only repot when small roots are sticking out of the pot's drainage hole.

Are Calathea Orbifolia Hard to Care for?

Yes, this plant is not for the novice plant owner, but it is incredibly rewarding when given the proper care. Good care takes learning your plant's preferences, monitoring your plant on a regular basis, and identifying plant behavior. If you can give Calathea orbifolia the time and attention it needs, it will grow and thrive for you.

Plant care library / Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea Orbifolia Care

About Calathea Orbifolia

Native to Bolivia and the rainforests of South America, the Calathea orbifolia belongs to the Marantaceae plant family and is considered the "diva" of the plant world. Like most houseplants, it requires a consistent environment to grow and thrive. Though this herbaceous perennial plant may not be suitable for the novice plant owner, it is highly coveted by plant enthusiasts for its striking, tropical look.

Other common names

Orbifolia prayer plant
Geoppertia Orbifolia
Round-leaf Calathea
Peacock plant

How Often Should I Water My Calathea Orbifolia?

Watering is another key ingredient in maintaining the look and vitality of your Calathea orbifolia. With easyplant, watering your Calathea orbifolia plant is simple. Check the easyplant reservoir once a month, fill it when empty, and you're all set!

If you don't have an easyplant pot to make watering your plant hassle-free, you'll need to manually water the Calathea orbifolia when the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry. Your watering frequency will be roughly once a week in the spring and summer and once every two to three weeks in the winter. Checking the plant's soil is key to keeping it happy and moist and preventing it from drying out completely. You can use your hand or a moisture meter to ensure accuracy. Typical signs, like wilting leaves, will not indicate that this plant needs watering as the Calathea orbifolia's leaves won't wilt; they'll just decline.

Calathea Orbifolia Light Needs

Calathea Orbifolia grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused, and can also adapt to spaces with bright direct light, where the sunlight streams inside directly. Avoid placing it in spaces with low light or spaces without natural sunlight.

The ideal place to put the Calathea orbifolia is near a south-facing window. East or west-facing windows can work too. If the window gets a lot of intense sunlight, you can place the plant a few feet away from the window but still in the path of light or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. Delve deeper into the world of plant lighting with our dedicated guide.

Calathea Orbifolia Plant Care

There are a few things you can do to help your prayer plant grow and thrive. Use moist but well-drained soil with acidic, neutral, or alkaline pH. During the growing season, use a weak concentrated dose of fertilizer once a month to promote healthy growth and foliage. Dusting the leaves of the Calathea orbifolia regularly will prevent clogged pores and allow for maximum light-capturing ability.

How Big Will My Calathea Orbifolia Grow?

Calathea orbifolia is a moderately fast-growing plant under the right circumstances. One of the things that this tropical plant is best known for is the size of its leaves. A mature adult plant will have leaves up to 10 inches in length and 11 inches in width. The Calathea orbifolia can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. They don't require much pruning beyond removing dead or yellowing leaves and don't need to be repotted often. It takes Calathea orbifolia about a year to reach full maturity in the ideal environment. Many factors affect the growth of this plant, including proper lighting, frequent watering, and correct temperature and humidity.

Temperature & Humidity

Coming from a tropical climate, the Calathea orbifolia needs warmer temperatures to thrive. These plants do not like cold temperatures, drafts, or being near AC or heating vents. The ideal temperature for the Calathea orbifolia is between 65 and 75˚F (18- 24˚C). Don't allow the temperature in the space to drop below 60˚F (16˚C). Humidity is a very important factor in Calathea orbifolia care. The ideal humidity level for this plant is between 50- 60%. The average household humidity level is below 50%, but there are ways to compensate and add humidity to the space, such as using a Humidifier, placing a pebble tray with water, or grouping it with other plants.

Are Calathea Orbifolia Plants Toxic?

Some plants that add a pleasing aesthetic to the home and can adapt well to the indoor environment are unsafe to keep in certain places in the home. When considering a houseplant, it's important to know if anything toxic about the plant could harm children or animals if touched or ingested. Calathea orbifolia is non-toxic and safe for children and pets. You can display this plant around the home and know it's safe for cats and dogs. In fact, dogs and cats love the plant's size, attractiveness, and softness. Pets may like to use this plant for shade or try to interact with it, like rubbing against its foliage. A bonus of having this plant out in your space is its environmental benefit. Calathea orbifolia is an air-purifying plant.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Calathea Orbifolia Plants

Part of plant care is observing how your plant is fairing in its environment, so you can make adjustments if needed. Every houseplant will have different signs or tells when they aren't doing well. If you notice brown edges or curling of the leaves of your Calathea orbifolia, this could be an indication of underwatering or lack of humidity. Check the soil frequently and water when the first 1-2 inches are dry. Add humidity with a humidifier or a pebble tray with water. If you notice the leaves of the Calathea orbifolia are yellowing, this could indicate that the plant is being under or overwatered. It's critical to check the soil often and only water if the top 1-2 inches are dry. If you notice dropping or drooping leaves on the Calathea orbifolia, this isn't cause for immediate concern. Even healthy leaves can drop a bit during the day. Monitor your plant; if they perk up by night, no action needs to be taken. If they don't, it signals that your plant needs more water and higher humidity. Calathea orbifolia plants can be plagued by pests like aphids and spider mites who like to suck on the sap of the leaves. If you have an infestation, you'll notice holes, discoloration, or milky webbing on the underside of the plant's leaves. The best way to get rid of these pests is to spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spider mites like low humidity, so if you're getting these pests, it's a sign to increase the humidity in the space.

Frequently Asked Questions about Calathea Orbifolia Plant

How Much Light Does Calathea Orbifolia Need?
Calathea orbifolia needs bright, indirect light. Placing it near a south-facing window should provide adequate light. Be sure to place it a short distance from the window, in the path of light, so its leaves don't get scorched. A sheer curtain on the window will also help to diffuse the light and protect your plant while providing sufficient light.
How do I Keep Calathea Orbifolia Happy?
Keeping your Calathea orbifolia happy is as simple as following proper care guidelines. Be sure your plant is getting enough light; temperatures and humidity should mimic the plant's native tropical environment. Try not to disturb your plant by moving it around, and only repot when small roots are sticking out of the pot's drainage hole.
Are Calathea Orbifolia Hard to Care for?
Yes, this plant is not for the novice plant owner, but it is incredibly rewarding when given the proper care. Good care takes learning your plant's preferences, monitoring your plant on a regular basis, and identifying plant behavior. If you can give Calathea orbifolia the time and attention it needs, it will grow and thrive for you.

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