Calathea White Fusion Care Guide: Tips and Secrets

This perennial is moderate to difficult to care for and enjoys humidity.

Calathea White Fusion is stunning and moderate-to-difficult to care for plant that is sure to spruce up any indoor garden. This houseplant is well-loved in the community of plant collectors because of its distinctive appearance and feel.

We’re sharing the most important tips and tricks you’ll need to know to successfully raise a Calathea White Fusion!

If you want to buy one for yourself, we have a few reasonable options for you to explore. Continue reading to learn more about Calathea’s interesting attributes.

What Is Calathea White Fusion?

The Calathea White Fusion is also known as Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant, and Rattlesnake Plant.

This Calathea species is a perennial from the Marantaceae family and is well-known for its gorgeous variegation. It has oval-shaped and green and white variegation-colored leaves.

Calathea White Fusion and other Marantaceae plants were given the nickname “prayer plants” for their habit of folding at night, like getting ready for prayer. Nyctinasty is the term for this type of behavior. Plants have a circadian rhythm in which they raise their leaves at night and lower them during the day. Their movement mimics that of hands in prayer, hence, the name.

This Calathea plant is considered the queen of all “prayer-plants.” Others call it a diva plant for its sensitivity and delicate needs.

We will mostly talk about the ideal conditions when caring for the Calathea White Fusion indoors. However, it can also be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 8-10.

Origin And Family

The Calathea White Fusion is a member of the Marantaceae family. Most Calathea plants come from the rainforests of Central Mexico and South America. As an indoor plant, it has done well in most households when it has much access to humidity.

This stunning plant was invented in a greenhouse lab in 2007 by Taiyan Yam in Malaysia. It was tested for stabilization and reproduction in Florida for a couple of years before making it available for purchase in 2013.

Where To Buy

You should be able to find Calathea White Fusion at your local nursery or a home improvement store. However, if you want to skip the hassle of driving, scanning through aisles, and hauling a plant to your car, head over online to Etsy. We’ve had great success buying our house plants there!

Prices for the Calathea White Fusion are fairly affordable, starting at $30 for small plants and reaching up to $60 for slightly larger ones.

Calathea White Fusion Plant Size

The Calathea White Fusion grows up to 10 inches tall in indoor spaces. It usually grows at a moderate pace, especially when positioned in a bathroom or kitchen.

Calathea White Fusion Care Needs

Your Calathea White Fusion will thrive when cared for well. Known for gorgeous variegation, this plant loves humidity and needs evenly moist soil to stay healthy.

Water the White Fusion after two inches of the soil dries. Deeply water the pot, letting it drain. This unusual plant requires intense indirect light to flourish to its full capacity.

Care Difficulty

This Zebra Plant is typically considered moderate to difficult to care for with its light, water, and humidity needs. To successfully grow this plant, you’ll need to be particular with the amount of light and well-draining soil.

Growth Rate

The growing speed of a Rattlesnake Plant is typically moderate. Indoors, it reaches a mature height of 10 inches.

You may control the plant’s height by trimming it in the spring and summer. Remove dark, crispy, or damaged leaves to maintain the plant healthy.

Potting

In terms of potting material and size for this plant, it’s generally advisable to use a medium-sized pot made of plastic. This Peacock Plant does not like sitting in too much water, and otherwise, it may succumb to root rot. So I highly recommend your pot has at least one drainage hole.

Repotting

You typically need to repot your White Fusion to a bigger pot with enough space once it grows to a certain size. When you see the soil becoming loose, or the roots are pushing out of the drainage hole, you’ll know that it’s time to report.

The Calathea White Fusion is a delicate plant, from its leaves down to its roots. Take extreme care not to touch its root system when repotting as it doesn’t like to be “tickled” before going into the new pot and fresh soil.

On average, Calathea White Fusion grows at a moderate pace, and you should repot every year or so. Make sure you refresh your pot with new soil when you repot.

Soil

The White Fusion Calathea plant grows well in a standard commercial potting soil. You can also choose to make your own soil mix by adding peat moss, perlite, pumice, and coco coir. This plant likes its soil to stay evenly moist.

Additionally, adequate drainage is critical to avoid fungal diseases, root rot, and other issues. It doesn’t tolerate soggy soil, so it is best to have a good drainage system that lets excess water out.

These are some soil options we recommend:

pH

This White Fusion Calathea prefers an acidic soil pH of 6.5-7.5. If you’re concerned about pH, you may get a basic pH meter online.

Your soil’s pH can be adjusted by adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate.

You can use baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, and wood ash to raise the pH of your soil.

Water

Your Peacock Plant will want the soil to stay evenly moist between watering schedules. Feel out the soil with your finger and check When the top two inches of the soil is dry. If this is the case, thoroughly drench your plant until enough water seeps out from the bottom of the pot.

Remember, this is a diva plant. So it quickly follows that its water needs differ from other plants, and she likes to be fed distilled or natural water only. You can buy gallons of distilled water from the grocery or use rainwater for this delicate plant. Filtered water will do, but note that it still contains small fluoride elements, and White Fusion might have a reaction because it’s a diva plant.

Overwatering is one of the most common causes of plant death indoors. When in doubt, it’s usually preferable to underwater than overwater Peacock Plant. Use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to make sure that your plant’s roots aren’t getting drowned.

Light

Calathea White Fusion prefers bright indirect light for approximately 8-12 hours daily. Keep in mind that you’re attempting to replicate how it grows in the rainforests of Central Mexico and South America. In most cases, placing this plant in a bathroom or kitchen works fine.

If its markings fade, you know your Calathea White Fusion is getting too much bright light. Conversely, if its growth slows down, and its variegation does not progress, the plant needs more light. Avoid putting this decorative plant in direct sunlight, which could severely damage or even kill it. A window that produces soft morning light or gentle evening sun is ideal.

Fertilizer

A balanced fertilizer is ideal for the Zebra Plant. NAME SPECIFIC FERTILIZER, for example, would work. During the spring and summer, feed your plant once a month.

In the winter months, growth naturally slows down, so you don’t need to fertilize at all.

Propagating Calathea White Fusion

If your Calathea White Fusion has grown too tall, you may prune back the stem and set the cuttings aside for propagation! Below, we’ve listed step-by-step guides for different propagation methods.

Division

Division is a propagation method typically used for plants that have pups shooting out from the roots.

You can divide the stem clusters of your Rattlesnake Plant by following these steps:

1. Dig up. Take the plant out of its container. You should be able to see where the plant’s natural divisions are.

2. Separate. With your fingers, gently separate the sections apart, and you may need to use shears to cut any entangled roots.

3. Repot. Plant each section in new pots filled with the same soil they’re used to.

My cholesterol is 7.0 so I’m not allowed to eat all of the cookies 😭🍪 So… I turned this cookie jar into a terrarium 🌿💕 Good for plants that like high humidity (I put in my calathea white fusion, syngonium & hypoestes) pic.twitter.com/NlZtorrvng

— Dr Yumiko Kadota (@mindbodymiko) November 2, 2019

Humidity And Aeration

Calathea White Fusion is a rare perennial that loves high humidity. We recommend keeping the air humidity levels around 75% or higher for best results.

Aside from absorbing water through its roots, your plant will also need nourishment from the moisture in the air. You can keep bowls of water to evaporate nearby, or invest in a humidifier that is more consistent in improving humidity for your plant.

One easy way to give your Calathea sufficient humidity is to place it with other humidity-loving plants. It is also good to use a pebble tray with water to help release added humidity.

Temperature

Generally, warm temperatures are best for your Rattlesnake Plant plant. This can range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The bigger consideration for this plant is consistency. Sudden temperature changes can heavily damage the Rattlesnake Plant. Protect your plant against cold drafts by closing windows and sealing any opening in cold weather. Keep it away from heat vents that can dry the foliage. Avoid extreme temperatures to keep this plant healthy.

Non-Toxic

The Zebra Plant is non-toxic to humans or animals. According to the ASPCA, ingesting it would not hurt dogs or cats. There are no elements in the plant that are dangerous to humans. Instead, pets might be detrimental to the plant’s overall well-being, particularly its delicate leaves. It is best to keep your plants out of reach of pets and children.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Even with proper care, your plants will be exposed to diseases and pests from time to time. Here are some tips for keeping your plant healthy.

Spider Mites

Houseplants can sometimes bring unwelcome visitors to your home in the form of pests. One example of such is the spider mite. The larvae will not be visible, but adult mites can be seen quickly scampering around when disturbed.

Spraying diluted neem oil on your plant’s leaves can help eradicate spider mites at their larval stage. There are also organic Pyrethrin sprays which are effective in killing adult mites. When spraying any pesticide indoors, make sure you choose products that are non-hazardous for humans when inhaled.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are small insects that feed on organic matter in the soil. Their larvae are known to devour the roots of plants, which is terrible news for your Peacock Plant.

Products such as Pyrethrin sprays, neem oil, and hydrogen peroxide target both the flies and the larvae. If you reapply frequently, you should be able to exterminate these annoying insects in weeks.

We’ve used yellow sticky traps to deal with these gnats on our hydroponics systems, and they work pretty well.

White Flies

Whiteflies are closely related to mealybugs, scales, and aphids. They 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 Peacock Plant, causing serious leaf damage. Whiteflies have a moth-like look, a triangular shape, and typically a gray-white color.

In most cases, though, you’ll need to add an insecticidal soap. You can also make your own with a tablespoon of Castile and a quart of water. This concoction suffocates the adult, eggs, and larvae.

Apply when the day is at its coolest and repeat as necessary to avoid burn.

Scale Insects

Scale insects appear as lumps on the Calathea White Fusion stems or leaves. These little green, gray, brown, or black beetles are generally stationary once attached to a plant.

If the infestation is mild, you might use a teaspoon of neem oil diluted in four glasses of water to deter scale insects. Spritz the plant with a strong stream.

While neem and horticultural oils may not kill bugs, they will surely harm them. Many insecticides against scales are safe to use inside.

Brown Leaf Tips

Brown leaf tips on your Peacock Plant 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

Mealybugs and other pests that infest the Calathea White Fusion can cause leaves to droop. This problem can also be caused by underwatering, lack of humidity, and nutrients.

Yellow Leaves

If you notice that the leaves of your Zebra Plant are turning yellow, you will need to trace any recent adjustments in your usual care practices or the weather.

Overwatering, underwatering, over-fertilizing, under fertilizing, too much light, lack of light, root damage, temperature swings, and pests can cause yellowing leaves.

Plant mom/dad selfie thread

I’d love to see you and your plants 🌱

I’m holding a white fusion calathea
This plant looks like it’s been painted by hand

It can be a bit fussy but I think I finally got the hang of this plant 🌱 #planttwitter pic.twitter.com/FxjQNtuAIy

— Ana ❤️‍🔥 (@MoontripMarket) August 24, 2019

Root Rot

Root rot is a prevalent cause of death for the Rattlesnake Plant. Soil that is too compact will become water-logged and eventually rot your plant’s roots. Because this disease is difficult to stop, prevention is the best course of action.

The simplest way to prevent root rot is to reduce the amount and frequency that you water your Calathea. Before giving your plant a drink, always check to see if the first 3 inches of the soil are dry. If not, your plant can most probably wait a little longer!

In terms of potting material, porosity is a property that allows air to pass through and dry the soil while also allowing excess moisture to escape. Porous pots can be clay, baked terracotta, ceramic (unglazed), or concrete. Make sure you choose one that has drainage holes at the bottom!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a gorgeous plant with a little flair, the Calathea White Fusion is a beautiful choice, and its decorative leaves are a true treat.

You can’t get enough of Calathea plant guides, can you? Check out these great Two Peas In A Condo and see what else we have to offer!

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