Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this Calathea Warscewiczii plant for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a journey. I snagged this beauty because of those velvety leaves – they’re just so cool to touch! But, man, these plants can be a little picky.
First off, I tried sticking it right by the window where my other plants are chilling. Big mistake. The leaves started getting all crispy and sad looking. Turns out, these guys don’t like direct sunlight at all. It’s like they’re allergic to it or something. So, I moved it to a spot where it gets bright light but not directly in the sun’s path. It’s much happier now, perked right up.
Then there’s the whole watering situation. I used to just use regular tap water, but I noticed the edges of the leaves were turning brown. Someone told me that these plants are sensitive to the stuff they put in tap water. Chlorine. So, I started leaving the water out overnight before using it, or sometimes I just grab some bottled water. Seems to be working, the browning stopped.
- Light: Keep them away from direct sun.
- Water: No tap water.
And don’t even get me started on the soil! I had it in a regular potting mix at first, but it wasn’t draining well. These plants like their soil moist, but not soggy. They’re like the Goldilocks of the plant world. So, I repotted it in a mix that has more perlite and orchid bark. Now the water drains through, but the soil still stays a bit damp. It’s been doing great.
I also realized that these plants are big fans of humidity. I guess it makes sense since they’re tropical. I don’t have a humidifier, so I just started misting it every few days with a spray bottle, and placed a tray of water with some pebbles near it. It seems to do the trick! The leaves are looking lush and velvety again.
Honestly, taking care of this Calathea Warscewiczii has been a bit of a learning curve. Moved it, switched the water, changed the soil, and added some misting. But, it’s totally worth it. It’s thriving now, and it’s one of the coolest looking plants I own. Just gotta pay attention to what it needs!
