Calathea Louisae - Teak And Terracotta

Welcome to our guide to the Calathea Louisae, covering all you need to know about care and propagation…

Calathea Louisae Care Summary

Light needs:	Medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Keep soil moist but not wet. Check the soil twice a week.
Fertilizer:	A balanced plant feed every 3 or 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Soil:	Add perlite to a good potting compost 20% to 80%.
Humidity:	60-70%.
Temperature:	18-28°C (64-82°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other names:	Goeppertia louisae.
Common issues:	Lack of humidity causing leaf curling and crispiness.

Introduction

Calathea louisae aka goeppertia louisae is a striped light and dark green house plant that grows naturally in Brazil.

Light Needs

No direct sunlight, but give it as much indirect sunlight you can. It will be ok in medium light, but will grow best in brighter light.

How Often To Water Calathea Louisae

You want to keep the soil moist but not wet. So check the soil twice a week and water the plant if the top third of the soil is dry. Make sure you tip out all excess water so the plant does not get water logged.

Fertilizer

Feed them with a balanced plant feed every 3 or 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Soil

They want a good, rich soil but one that drains well. Add perlite to a good potting compost if you like, make sure it has about 20% perlite to 80% potting compost.

When to Repot Calathea Louisae

Check the roots each year to see if they are getting crowded and move the plant to a bigger pot if needed. A good time to check is early spring so you know they have enough space to grow over the warmer months.

Humidity

60-70% is good for them, they really thrive in higher humidity levels, and they can dry out and crisp up if not given enough.

Temperature

Aim for 18-28°C (64-82°F) during the daytime, and try to keep them above 10°C (50°F) at night.

How to Propagate Calathea Louisae

Propagate them by division at the base when they are big enough.

Is Calathea Louisae Toxic To Cats?

It is non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Other Names

Goeppertia louisae

Where To Buy

Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.

FAQs and Common Problems

Lack of humidity causes leaf curling and crispiness, these plants must be kept humid. Mist them if you cannot provide constant humidity.