19 Crucial Care Tips For The Calathea Warscewiczii

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Introduction

Calathea Warscewiczii is a tropical and moderate-to-difficult to care for plant that will bring vigor and color to your living space! This plant is a must-have for indoor gardeners with a distinct appearance and feel.

This post will go through the care requirements in detail to help you confidently raise your Calathea Warscewiczii.

We will also provide various options for you to buy one for yourself. Read on to find out more about Calathea’s exciting attributes.

What Is Calathea Warscewiczii?

The Calathea Warscewiczii is sometimes called Jungle Velvet Calathea, Calathea Velvet Touch, and Velvet Calathea. It has light and dark green and oval leaves and is best known for its velvety and two-toned foliage. It’s beautifully unique with its fishtail-type patterned leaves that sport deep maroon and purple undersides.

As a perennial member of the Marantaceae family, this tropical plant thrives well near an east or north-facing window when grown as a houseplant. Plants from this family are often referred to as “Prayer Plants” for their habit of folding up and down in response to temperature and light. However, unlike its other Calathea cousins, the Warscewiczii’s nyctinasty is not as dramatic, but they perform a slow daily dance and rise at night. And like its cousins, this plant is also quite temperamental.

Outdoors, the Calathea Warscewiczii has a high survivability rate in hardiness zones 9-11.

Origin And Family

Calathea Jungle Velvet is part of the Marantaceae family (Calathea genus) and comes from the forests of Central and South America. This plant has become popular in recent years, thriving in most households with high humidity.

Józef Warszewicz Ritter von Rawicz discovered the Jungle Velvet Calathea. It produces small cream flowers mostly during summer.

Where To Buy

You might be able to find a Calathea Warscewiczii plant at your local nursery or home improvement store for very affordable prices. If unavailable, you can also order one online from Etsy.

Calathea Warscewiczii (commonly pronounced vark-zeh-wik-ZEE-eye) was recently renamed Goeppertia Warszewiczii for taxonomic reasons. As the change hasn’t become ubiquitous yet, most nurseries and online websites still refer to this plant as Calathea.

The pricing of Calathea Warscewiczii ranges between $10 for small plants to $50 for larger ones.

Calathea Warscewiczii Plant Size

The Calathea Warscewiczii grows to a height of 3-4 feet and spreads to a width of 3-4 feet. It’s a slow-to-moderate grower that flourishes when placed near an east or north-facing window.

Calathea Warscewiczii Care Needs

Calathea Warscewicziis are plants that love humidity and need soil that stays wet all year long. Summer:

Once the top half-inch of soil dries, water your plant!

Keep pouring until the water comes out of the drainage hole and out of the hole itself.

Empty the catch plate to avoid root rot.

Check out this more detailed guide to care for your Calathea Warscewiczii!

Care Difficulty

Pronouncing its name is not the only difficult thing about the Warscewiczii. In terms of care difficulty, the Calathea Velvet Touch is moderate-to-difficult to care for. A lot of light and well-drained soil is essential for this beauty.

Growth Rate

In the wild, the Velvet Calathea can grow to 3 to 4 feet. Most of the time, you will see faster and bushier growth in the early spring and summer.

Most Calathea species, including the Warscewiczii, grow at a slow-to-moderate rate.

Potting

It is usually acceptable to use a medium container in terms of container size. Most pot materials will work perfectly.

Jungle Velvet Calathea is susceptible to root rot. Ensure there are drainage holes in its pot to release excess water and avoid soggy soil.

Repotting

To keep your plant healthy, you should move it to a bigger pot when it gets bigger. A quick-drying plant will tell you it’s time to move it. If you have to water it more than twice a week, you’ll know it needs to be moved.

On average, Calathea Warscewiczii grows slowly and needs to be repotted every two to three years. As time goes on, the natural nutrients in the soil are lost, so when you repot your plants, you should add some commercial potting soil to the dirt you already have.

Soil

For the Calathea Velvet Touch, a standard commercial potting soil is suitable. Add together components such as peat moss, part perlite, and coco coir to make your own soil mix. Keep in mind that this plant prefers an evenly moist growing medium.

Make sure your chosen soil type accommodates good drainage and aeration so the roots can breathe better.

We recommend the following potting mixes:

pH

pH for this plant should be around 6-7, meaning your Velvet Calathea likes neutral to acidic soil. As long as you keep repotting your plant or add new ground from time to time, the pH level won’t be as important as if you grow this plant outside.

Water

This means that the amount of water your plant needs will depend on the temperature and humidity where it grows. Generally speaking, your Jungle Velvet Calathea prefers an evenly moist growing medium.

Unlike other house plants aren’t, this Calathea prefers distilled or filtered water. Its leaves react poorly to tap water as it is known to contain minerals and compounds like chlorine and fluoride. Switch your Calathea Warscewiczii to distilled water or rainwater. Tap water is not entirely out of the equation. If you prefer to use it, the best way is to let it sit overnight for up to 24 hours to allow the chemicals to evaporate.

Avoid overwatering your Jungle Velvet Calathea. Your plant needs water when the top half-inch of soil is dry, and water directly on the dirt and take care not to wet the foliage so you can avoid fungal diseases.

Allow the water to flow through the bottom of the pot. Remember to empty the collection tray if your plant is sitting in one.

Light

This moderate-to-difficult to care for houseplant prefers bright indirect sunlight for approximately 8-10 hours a day. If there’s excessive light, its leaves will scorch, and if there’s a lack of light, its growth will worsen.

If your Calathea Warscewiczii isn’t getting enough light, you can move it closer to a window or think about LED grow lights if that doesn’t work. Among these items are some that I think you’ll like:

Avoid putting your Calathea Warscewiczii in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it. This perennial plant can also tolerate a partial shade to some extent.

Fertilizer

Feed your Calathea Velvet Touch if you want to give it some extra nutrient boost. Do this every month in the spring and summer.

Here are some plant food options you can use:

Plants don’t need to be fed during the winter.

Propagating Calathea Warscewiczii

There are different ways to propagate a Calathea Warscewiczii. The steps for each unique method are below, and make sure you follow them.

Division

Another way to grow Velvet Calatheas is to split up the clusters of stems with entangled root systems.

1. Dig up. Tap on the sides of the pot with your small shovel to get the soil out of the vessel. Pull the plant until it comes out.

2. Separate. You should be able to see the natural boundary of each stem and separate them using your hands. You may need to cut the roots but be careful not to disrupt the main root balls.

3. Repot. Keep the same soil used for the plants in each new pot.

Humidity And Aeration

Calathea Warscewiczii is a remarkable plant that loves high humidity, like most tropical plants. Keep the humidity level between 70% or higher at all times.

Use a simple hygrometer to check the air moisture level in your Calathea Warscewiczii’s area. If the reading is too low, you can improve the humidity through the following methods:

• Plants release moisture from their leaves through transpiration, so they’ll benefit from each other if you keep houseplants closely together.

• Place a pebble tray and water underneath your plant’s pot. The evaporating water provides some nourishment to the plant.

• Purchase a humidifier for your plants, and this will constantly release steam and raise the humidity in a room.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for your Velvet Calathea is between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and this tropical houseplant will appreciate being kept in warm locations.

More importantly, avoid any sudden spikes or drops in temperatures. Don’t use cold or hot water to water your Velvet Calathea so its roots won’t go into shock.

Calathea warscewiczii or Prayer Plant, Calathea. Common as #houseplants for a shady room. #snaplant #plants #flowers pic.twitter.com/8RpqcHLFEr

— Snaplant (@Snaplants) October 13, 2015

Flowers

If you can provide the best conditions for your plant and keep it at its happiest, you might be able to see insignificant cream flowers. However, you must know that most plants generally bloom in an outdoor environment.

Non-Toxic

The Calathea Velvet Touch is not hazardous to children or pets. According to the ASPCA, it will not hurt dogs or cats if consumed, and there are no elements in the plant that are toxic to humans.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

In most situations, the Calathea Warscewiczii is a disease-resistant and pest-resistant plant. There are, however, some common problems that can make it not work well. Below, we’re going to talk about some of the most common issues and how to protect your Calathea Warscewiczii.

Spider Mites

In Velvet Calathea, spider mites are an unwelcome but common problem in home plants. Spider mites can damage your plant by making tiny brown or yellow dots on its leaves. When the infestation is severe, you might see small, sticky webs full of red bugs.

To dislodge the spider mites, begin by thoroughly washing off every nook and cranny of your Velvet Calathea. You will need to do this on a sink, tub, or outdoors. If that doesn’t work, you can use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil to suffocate the spider mites.

Spider mites can spread if you have a lot of plants in your home. You might need to quarantine your sick plants while getting rid of them.

Fungus Gnats

People often find these bugs in their Jungle Velvet Calathea. These aptly-named pests will harbor fungal diseases on your plant, and they will also produce larvae that feed on the roots.

Discourage adult gnats from laying their eggs on your plant. Instead of pouring water from above, water your Jungle Velvet Calathea by placing a vast water bowl underneath the pot. Let the jar sit for 10 minutes as the roots take water from below.

If the problem persists, make a solution of 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 4 cups of water. Spray this on the top of the soil to kill any remaining larvae.

White Flies

Whiteflies are closely related to mealybugs, scales, and aphids and can be distinguished as a cloud of white flakes rising into the air when they are disturbed.

Their larvae will feed on the sap of your Jungle Velvet Calathea, causing severe leaf damage. Whiteflies have a moth-like look, a triangular shape, and typically a gray-white color.

For a nasty infestation, use a good soap for killing bugs and other bugs (or make your own by mixing Castile soap and water). Soap will kill the eggs, larvae, and adults. Apply when the day is mildest and repeat as necessary to avoid burn.

Scale Insects

Scales aren’t moving and have a waxy coating, but they will give birth to tiny crawling bugs.

When armored scales are removed, you will need to be very careful. You can use an old ID card or your fingers to scrape them off, and you don’t want to tear the leaves of your Calathea Warscewiczii.

Scale bugs can be killed with insecticide soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil. When you see crawlers moving around, spray your plant with a general pesticide to get rid of them. You should do this for another week and then try again. We have some suggestions for you below:

Aphids

Little bugs called aphids will eat the sap from your Calathea Velvet Touch if you let them. Some aphids crawl, and some have wings, and they can be brown, black, red, green, white, and many other colors and many different kinds.

It’s possible to find aphids on the underside of leaves and on weak stem parts. If you find these bugs (usually in a group), act before they spread to other plants in your home!

Before you do anything else, put a plastic bag over the soil to keep it safe. Then, give your plant a good scrub with soap and water. A sponge is also a good idea because you don’t want to miss any areas when you clean your house. After you wash your plant, put it in a place that isn’t too hot and has a lot of airflow so its leaves don’t get burned by the soap.

If the aphids come back, spray your Calathea Velvet Touch with neem oil, horticultural oil, or rubbing alcohol. Remember to dilute these products first.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Velvet Calathea. If you find these tiny parasites– identified by their white “fluff”– you need to respond before they spread.

Make sure that there is some rubbing alcohol on a piece of cotton. Then, you need to do this. Wipe the leaves of your Calathea to remove all the visible mealybugs.

Additionally, you can mix 5mL of neem oil, 500mL of water, and 10 drops of liquid soap (as an emulsifier). Spraying this solution on your plants once a month will make your plant leaves look shiny and clean, but it will also discourage mealies from colonizing your houseplant.

Brown Leaf Tips

Brown leaf tips on your Jungle Velvet Calathea can be caused by low humidity, underwatering, root damage, and soil compactness.

Occasionally, you may need to flush out excess minerals, salts, fertilizers, and chemicals in the soil by letting the water flow through for a few minutes. You shouldn’t worry about accidentally drowning your plant’s roots as long as you have a fast-draining substrate and a pot with drainage holes.

Drooping Leaves

A wilting, droopy appearance on your Calathea Warscewiczii indicates distress. Possible causes of drooping leaves are overwatering, underwatering, excessive light exposure, lack of light, and low humidity.

Yellow Leaves

Several factors can cause the leaves of a Calathea Velvet Touch to become yellow. The plant might not get enough sunlight or get too much or too little water.

Yellow leaves should be cut back to keep them from becoming more yellow. Besides, they can be unattractive and worrying to look at. Trim the leaves off with a sharp pair of shears.

Root Rot

Root rot is a common killer of Velvet Calathea, and the rotting starts at the roots and quickly spreads to the stem and foliage. Remember, you should use only water when the top half-inch of the soil is dry.

It can also be caused by poor drainage in the soil, and this tropical plant needs commercial potting soil that stays evenly moist.

Other things you can do to avoid root rot include:

Drilling holes at the bottom of your pot.

Choosing high-porosity materials such as terracotta and unglazed ceramic planters.

Lengthening the gap between watering schedules.

I’m in love with my new office houseplant, Calathea warscewiczii. The leaveas are like velvet and the green tones are so beautiful. It’s almost like they’ve been painted on 😍🌱🌱 pic.twitter.com/3ljpUXuBGg

— Tommy Tønsberg (@TommyTonsberg) December 21, 2018

Similar Plants

Love Jungle Velvet Calathea? Here are some other plants you should try:

Calathea Ornata: There are shiny and colorful stripes on the leaves of Calithophyllum Ornata. This makes it known as the “Pinstripe Plant.” Sometimes, it’s also known as the Zebra plant or Cathedral plant. It’s also called the Peacock plant or Zebra plant.

Calathea Makoyana: This evergreen perennial is one of the most stunning indoor plants available. Its tall, slender stem with intricately designed leaves makes it a show-stopper.

Calathea Beauty Star: This beauty is truly a star. A variety of the ornata cultivar sports stunning dark green leaves, silvery stripes, and even a deep purple underside.

Calathea Orbifolia: This beautiful indoor plant is known for its massive leaves with stunning white/silver-green bands. Double your TLC if you want to grow this plant. But it’s all worth it just to witness this plant thrive.

Conclusion

The Calathea Warscewiczii, with its velvety and two-toned foliage, is the perfect addition to any plant lover’s collection. Taking care of this plant might not be the easiest thing, but its velvety leaves are a real treat.

Calathea Warscewiczii is a great plant to grow indoors, whether you’re just starting out or growing plants for a long time and want to learn more about this one.

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