Calathea Warszewiczii Care Tips!

Summary

In this video, the host shares their excitement about finding a rare plant, the Calathea Warszewiczii, which they've been searching for over a year. They describe its beautiful fuzzy leaves, purple undersides, and unique care requirements. The plant, native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, thrives in humid environments and needs careful attention to avoid damage like curling leaves. The video also touches on the plant's delicate nature and its susceptibility to pests. The host recounts their surprise at finding it at Lowe's and their journey to care for it properly in their home.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is introducing their calathea plant, which is difficult to pronounce and often confused with other varieties.
• 😀 The calathea is often referred to by its botanical name, as it’s commonly mixed up with other similar-looking plants.
• 😀 The speaker shares their experience of searching for this plant for over a year and finally finding it at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago.
• 😀 The plant was discovered as part of a mixed arrangement at Lowe's, which also included a snake plant and a neon pothos.
• 😀 The calathea requires moist soil, which is challenging to maintain alongside snake plants that thrive in dry conditions.
• 😀 A key care tip: the calathea’s leaves curl when it’s not getting enough water or is exposed to too much light.
• 😀 The plant belongs to the Maranta family, also known as the prayer plant family, and its leaves move in response to light.
• 😀 Calatheas, including this one, have purple undersides to their leaves, making them visually striking.
• 😀 This particular calathea is native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, which is a surprising fact for the speaker, as they usually associate such plants with Southeast Asia.
• 😀 Calatheas require high humidity, and if the humidity isn’t adequate, the edges of the leaves will begin to crisp up.
• 😀 The speaker mentions that although some leaves may have damage, it's not a concern unless the damage spreads. New leaves will continue to grow healthy if the plant is cared for properly.

Q & A

What is the plant mentioned in the video and what is it commonly known as?

The plant discussed in the video is a Calathea Warscewiczii, often referred to as Velvet Touch, though the speaker is unsure about this common name.

Why was the speaker initially hesitant about buying the Calathea Warscewiczii online?

The speaker was hesitant because the plant was being sold for $40 to $50 online, and shipping could affect its size and condition, making it a less appealing option.

How did the speaker eventually find the Calathea Warscewiczii?

The speaker found the Calathea Warscewiczii at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago, where they saw a large collection of the plant.

What is the Calathea Warscewiczii's natural habitat?

The plant is native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

What family does the Calathea Warscewiczii belong to?

It belongs to the Marantaceae family, which is also known as the Prayer Plant family.

What care considerations are important for the Calathea Warscewiczii?

The plant requires moist soil, a lot of water, and humidity. It is also sensitive to light; too much light can cause the leaves to curl.

What are some visual characteristics of the Calathea Warscewiczii?

The plant has fuzzy leaves, purple undersides, and triangular markings on its leaves. Its stems are also purple.

What are some challenges faced when caring for a Calathea Warscewiczii?

The plant is finicky about humidity, and its leaves can suffer damage if the humidity is too low or if it doesn’t receive enough water.

What did the speaker compare damaged leaves to, and why?

The speaker compared damaged leaves to a scar, explaining that as long as the damage does not spread, it's not a major concern.

What pests is the Calathea Warscewiczii susceptible to?

The plant is susceptible to spider mites, but the speaker has not had an issue with them on this particular plant.