Calathea Orbifolia: Is It Easy to Care For?

The Calathea Orbifolia is a timeless, luscious green plant. Highly sought after and one of the most popular Calatheas, it’s likely you’ve come across this plant before. So whether you’re a fan of Calatheas, a potted plant enthusiast, or simply curious about this beautiful green-leafed plant, this post is for you.

We’re sharing all there is to know about the Calathea Orbifolia. After this post, you’ll be able to identify the Calathea Orbifolia, care for it correctly, and assist with any care or maintenance. Read on to explore the wonders of the Calathea Orbifolia.

How to Identify Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea Orbifolia

Unless you’re well versed in the world of Calatheas, telling this popular plant variety apart can be difficult. To identify the Calathea Orbifolia, you need to look at the pattern on its leaves. The Calathea Orbifolia leaves are large and round with subtle, pale, silver-green stripes. These markings are also on the bottom of the leaves.

A potted Calathea Orbitfolia will grow to around 2ft tall. However, some Calathea Orbitfolias will exceed this height. The most impressive feature of the Calathea Orbitfolias is its round, shiny, oval leaves.

How to Grow Calathea Orbifolia From Seed

All Calatheas require the same growing methods when being grown from seed. To successfully grow you Calathea Orbifolia from seed, follow this method:

  • Mix a 1:1 ratio of peat and coarse
  • Put this mixture in a propagation tray or pot.
  • Moisten the soil
  • Place the Calathea Trio seeds 0.5-1 cm deep in the soil
  • Cover the tray with a propagation cover (you can also use a plastic cover)
  • Make sure the soil remains moist at all times
  • When the seedlings reach 3-4 cm, repot them in their own pots.

How to Propagate Calathea Orbifolia

Calatheas are great plants for propagating. From one healthy Calathea Orbifolia, you can successfully grow many more plants. If you have a healthy Calathea Orbifolia, follow these steps for propagation:

  • Gently remove your mature Calathea Orbifolia from its pot
  • Loosen the roots using your fingertips
  • Use a sharp pair of shears to cut a clump of root and leaves from your plant.
  • Replant your cuttings in a well-draining pot with fresh soil
  • Moisten your plants soil with clean, filtered water
  • Position the Calathea Orbifolia in indirect sunlight
  • Ensure the soil remains moist

Calathea Orbifolia Growing Conditions

Because the Calathea Orbifolia is a tropical plant, it requires specific growing conditions. By providing these conditions, you’ll be able to grow a happy and healthy Calathea.

How to Plant Calathea Orbifolia

Planting the Calathea Orbifolia isn’t a complicated process as long as you follow the correct growing conditions and provide the right care.

Calathea Orbifolia Potting & Soil

Due to being a tropical plant that requires a lot of water, the Calathea Orbifolia needs well-draining soil. Therefore, fill your Calathea Orbifolia’s plant pot with well-draining soil or tropical-specific soil. 

Calathea Orbifolia Water Requirements

Alongside needing tropical soil, the Calathea Orbifolia needs to be watered regularly. If your other plants are not tropical, they’ll likely need less water. Ensure you don’t forget to water your Calathea Orbifolia with filtered water every seven to ten days.

Calathea Orbifolia Light Requirements

The large leaves of the Calathea are ideal for catching the sunlight. Because the Calatheas leaves are so large, they only require indirect sunlight. Full, bright sunlight risks burning these large leaves. Instead, position your Calathea Orbifolia on a windowsill that gets partial sunlight.

Best Calathea Orbifolia Fertilizer

The Calathea Orbifolia doesn’t need fertilizers to grow, but some plant owners choose to use these to help promote growth during growing seasons. If you choose to use fertilizer on your Calathea, make sure to use it during the spring and summer, and ensure it is a tropical-specific fertilizer.

Best Calathea Orbifolia Companion Plantings

All Calatheas can grow outside in warm, tropical climates. However, for those of us not lucky enough to live in these environments, the Calathea Orbifolia is a popular indoor plant. When the Calathea Orbifolia is inside, it can be accompanied by any other potted plant, as it will require its own pot.

If outside, the Calathea Orbifolia will need to be surrounded by other tropical plants and will enjoy the company of other Calatheas.

Calathea Orbifolia Diseases and Common Problems

Once fully matured, the Calathea Orbifolia shouldn’t encounter too many problems. The most serious issue you might encounter with your Calathea Orbifolia is pests. Here are a few things to look out for in your Calathea Orbifolia and how you can prevent them from happening:

Pests

If you discover pests on your plant, make sure to move it away from any other plants you own. The most common pests on the Calathea Orbifolia are spider mites, Aphids, Mealybugs, Scale insects, Fungus gnats, Root-knot nematodes.

Spider mites are the most common and can be removed using neem oil. Neem oil or Mite-X are the most effective ways to remove any pests on your Calathea Orbifolia. If you want to try a natural pest removing method before using chemicals on your plant, you can trickle a stream of water over the leaves to try to flush away the pests.

Discolored Leaves

Discolored leaves mean your Calathea Orbifolia needs more nutrients. Try filtering your water or feeding your plant fertilizer to promote its nutrients intake.

Limp Stem

A limp stem means your plant is too cold. Remember, the Calathea is a tropical plant and needs heat. Try moving your Calathea Orbifolia to a warmer area in the house if it has developed a limp stem.

Falling Leaves

Similar to a limp stem, falling leaves suggest you’re providing the correct tropical conditions. However, falling leaves are a sign of dehydration. Make sure you’re watering your Calathea Orbifolia regularly and keeping the soil moist.

Calathea Orbifolia Treatments and Maintenance

calatea oblifolia plant

There are no specific treatments of maintenance the Calathea Orbifolia requires besides having the correct growing conditions met. Some plant owners choose to invest in an indoor humidifier or plant mister to help create similar tropical conditions inside the home.

Where to Buy Calathea Orbifolia Seeds Online

If you’re green-fingered, you might decide to grow your Calathea Orbifolia from seed. Calathea seeds are not the easiest to find, but these online shops often stock Calathea Orbifolia seeds:

Where to Buy Mature Calathea Orbifolia Online

Caring for a mature Calathea Orbifolia is much easier. If you choose to purchase a mature Calathea Orbifolia, you can do so from these online locations:

FAQs

Question: Can I keep the Calathea Orbifolia in a home with children?

Answer: Yes! All Calatheas are appropriate for homes with children and pets, as they’re non-toxic plants.

Question: Should I mist my Calathea Orbifolia?

Answer: If you live in an area with low humidity, misting your Calathea can help promote healthy growth.

Question: How do I know if my Calathea is dying?

Answer: Brown, drooping leaves suggest your Calathea Orbifolia is dying. To help bring life back into your Calathea, try watering it, feeding it fertilizer, and placing it in an area with optimum sunlight exposure.

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