Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I wanna share my little adventure with Calathea plants and their whole temperature drama. I’ve been messing around with these plants for a while now, and let me tell you, figuring out their temperature preferences has been quite a journey!
So, I started off with a couple of Calatheas, all excited to add some greenery to my place. I’d read somewhere that they’re tropical plants, so I was like, “Okay, warmth, got it.” I placed them in my living room, where it’s usually nice and cozy, around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. They seemed to be doing okay at first, but I’m a bit of a stickler for details, so I wanted to make sure they were really thriving, not just surviving.
I got myself a little thermometer and started monitoring the temperature more closely. I noticed that when the temperature dipped below 65, especially at night, the leaves on my Calatheas started to look a bit sad, like they were curling up or something. That’s when I realized, “Uh oh, maybe these guys are a bit more sensitive to cold than I thought.”
I did a bit more digging and found out that the ideal temperature range for Calatheas is actually between 65 and 80 degrees. Anything below 60, and they start to throw a fit. I also learned that they don’t like sudden temperature changes, so blasting the AC or placing them near a heater is a big no-no.
- Experiment Time: I decided to create a little experiment. I moved one Calathea to a spot where I could control the temperature a bit better, keeping it consistently around 70-75 degrees. I left the other one in the living room but made sure to keep it away from drafts and the AC vent.
- Observations: After a couple of weeks, I started to see a difference. The Calathea in the temperature-controlled spot was looking much happier, with its leaves all nice and perky. The one in the living room was doing okay, but it wasn’t thriving as much as the other one.
- Humidity Matters, Too: While I was at it, I also paid attention to humidity, since I read that Calatheas love it humid. I got a little humidifier and kept the humidity around 50-70%. And wouldn’t you know, it made a big difference. The leaves looked more vibrant, and the plants seemed to be growing faster.
So, what did I learn from all this? Well, Calatheas are a bit like Goldilocks when it comes to temperature – they don’t like it too hot, they don’t like it too cold, but just right. Keeping them in that sweet spot of 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit, avoiding sudden temperature swings, and giving them a good dose of humidity seems to be the key to keeping these beauties happy and healthy. If you are growing Calatheas, keeping the temperature between 65-80 degrees will make them grow very well.
It’s been a fun little experiment, and I’m happy to report that my Calatheas are now thriving. They’re adding a nice touch of tropical vibes to my place, and I’ve learned a ton about their temperature needs along the way. Hope this little story helps some of you fellow plant lovers out there!
