Calathea "Jungle Velvet"

Calathea "Jungle Velvet" Care

Calathea warscewiczii

What is the plant

Calathea “Jungle Velvet” is a tropical queen with wide, lush, and glossy leaves colored bright green on the top and burgundy red at the bottom. This elegant plant will organically fit into any stylish interior.

Calathea “Jungle Velvet” is a Calathea subspecies native to tropical jungles of South America. It has large leaves colored green at the top and velvety red on the undersides. In an ideal environment, the plant will bloom with cream-colored cone-shaped flowers and may reach 3-4 ft (90-120cm) in height. This Calathea isn’t very fussy, but you need to pay attention to its humidity needs.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 21°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11

Difficulty

Hard

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Calathea likes moist but not soggy soil. Water it several times a week in the warm period and once a week in the cold season. The soil's top inch (2.5 cm) should feel dry before you water the plant again. Never let the soil dry out completely. It’s best to use filtered or distilled water because chemicals in tap water can damage your plant.

Calathea also needs high humidity, resembling rainforest conditions. You can use a plant humidifier or put your plant on a tray with pebbles covered in water in half. In the latter case, don’t let the water touch the bottom of the pot. Misting is also good but not as effective.
Pruning
Prune dead, yellow, and old leaves when necessary. Other than that, Calathea does not need pruning. .
Fertilizer
Fertilize once a month with a nitrogen-based balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growth period. Flush the soil every 3 months to get rid of excess mineral buildup.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Calathea is a shade-tolerant plant and needs a spot with indirect sunlight. A north-facing window is ideal. Other windows will also work, provided that the plant is protected from direct sunlight by curtains.
Soil
Calathea needs a well-draining and airy soil mixture. Two parts peat + one part perlite will work just fine.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Calathea is via the division of rhizomes. Carefully take the plant from the pot and gently remove the soil from the edges. Delicately separate the pup’s roots from the mother plant (it should separate without the need for cutting), and plant the pup in a small pot with well-draining, moist soil. Plant the mother plant into a new pot 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm) larger in diameter. Put the plants in a warm and humid area with dappled medium light and wait

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Temperature
A stable temperature between 60°F - 80°F (15-27˚C) is perfect. Do not expose your plant to hot and cold drafts. When the temperature drops below 60°F (15˚C), the plant goes into dormancy.
Container
Any pot will work, provided that it has good drainage. Make sure your pot has several drainage holes.
Fun fact
This Calathea does not fold its leaves at night, even though it belongs to the Prayer Plant family.