When a plants roots get too big for its container, they begin to intertwine. To effectively get rid of these pests, dilute solutions of soap, rubbing alcohol, or neem oil every 3-5 days. Move it to a location where it wont be exposed to temperatures below 55F. If you have white spots on your Calathea leaves, its likely due to a pest infestation. Treat white spots on your Calathea leaves due to Powdery Mildew with a simple solution! It is as if it were a variegated calathea. Flush soil with distilled water to remove the excessive salt build-up. One of the most common problems with Calathea is white spots on the leaves. If you are unsure what is causing the spots, its best to consult with a professional to provide a proper diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment. (Essential Guide), Are Hibiscus Poisonous to Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals, Exploring the Root System of Crape Myrtles: A Comprehensive Guide, Why is My Crape Myrtle Not Blooming? Temperatures are often lower at night, which might result in frost. These plants already prefer low light levels. Keeping the leaves dry is the key to preventing this disease. Calathea plants are less likely than many other houseplants to attract pests, especially when raised indoors. Another is to apply a pesticide that is specifically designed to kill spider mites. Poorly drained soils exacerbate problems like root and crown rots. Give your plant a few weeks to recover if you have shifted it to a new place or repotted it. Its important to note the size, texture, and location of the spots, as this can help to determine what is causing the issue. So, immediately check the soil if you . White Tiger (Calathea albertii 'White Tiger') The white tiger as it is commonly called, possesses a charming white pattern in the shape of waves on the dark green leaves. DETECTION: When scouting Calathea spp. When it comes to houseplant problems, always assume bugs can also be blamed. Over-fertilizing can be remedied by flushing the soil with distilled water. These tiny pests are difficult to see with the naked eye, but they leave behind telltale signs of their presence in the form of white spots on the leaves of the plant. Calathea yellow leaves. White scale can be controlled with regular applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Slugs and snails are notorious for causing holes in leaves, but theyre normally much simpler to notice, and youd have spotted them by now. If the spots on your Calathea leaves are small and white, theyre probably just sunburns. A better choice for suffocating stubborn pests like thrips, spider mites, and scale is the use of horticultural oil without neem as an ingredient. Treatment Remove the infected parts of the plant. Some common calathea plant problems are leaves turning yellow, edges of leaves turning brown and brittle, curling leaves, root rot, limp and floppy plant, and stunted growth. Re-pot the plant every 2-3 years and prune damaged or unwanted roots. Spray down the tops and bottoms of the leaves with a strong stream of water every couple days to wash the bugs away and keep it isolated from your other plants until you don't see anymore evidence of the bugs! If your Calathea is getting too much sunlight, move it to a spot that gets less sun. You may need to treat your plant multiple times to get rid of all the scale. (Essential Tips). Thoroughly clean the leaves undersides, and apply the soap/oil to all of the leaves according to the instructions on the packaging. Instead of dishwashing liquid, use pure, liquid Castile soap with no additives or scents. Calatheas are known for their beautiful leaves, so its a bummer if the patterns start to disappear. While this problem is not fatal to the plant, it can cause the leaves to become discolored and distorted. Why is My Aloe Plant Curling (and How to Fix It)? With a little bit of care, your Calathea will be healthy and beautiful in no time. Make sure youre watering it regularly and giving it the proper amount of light. 1. They puncture the tissues and suck the moisture out. For effective control, use a fungicide in combination with other pest management techniques, such as yellow sticky traps and insecticidal sprays. Yes, you will likely need to use a fungicide to control the pests in your garden or houseplants. Sunburn or edema can also be to blame. Aerate the soil to ensure that the water reaches the roots. It's like they come out of nowhere and slowly eat your plants until leaf by leaf gets all wrinkly and dry. Clean the leaves and stems with water, then clean the growing medium to remove mold. The plant's growth habit is compact and bushy, with the leaves arranged in a rosette pattern around a central stem. It could be a sign of sunburn. Water your plant once a week or water when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry. The calathea plant is an incredibly stunning houseplant, one of my favorites for home decor. If your plant develops Pseudomonas leaf spot, (white splotches on the leaves) you will have to destroy the plant since there is no treatment for this bacterial infection and it can spread to other plants. Could the white spots be indicative of a nutrient deficiency? Edema is a condition that causes the leaves of a Calathea to appear blistered. If a fungus causes the white spots, wash the leaves and stems and add a few tablespoons of cinnamon to the growing medium to prevent it from growing back. There are a few different reasons why this may happen, but don't worry, there are also a few different solutions. But its actually sucking the fluids out of the plant and leaving behind honeydew that attracts other pests and diseases. Use horticulture oil and neem oil to treat pest infestation. 5. Spring and summer are the best seasons to fertilize calathea for optimal growth. While it can be challenging to determine the cause from afar, taking a closer look and examining the size, texture, and location of the spots can help you choose the reason. its leaves may begin to turn completely green and lose those characteristic white spots. While these colorful and boldly patterned plants are generally easy to grow, they can attract a few pests. Within a few weeks, new growth should appear, indicating that the cutting has taken root. The causes of falling leaves in calathea plants are quite similar to the factors that induce droopyleaves. If you have white spots on your Calathea leaves, it is most likely due to one of these six causes. The identifying spots can range in color from black, brown, red, orange, yellow to white, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A balanced indoor plant fertilizer with a 10-10-10 NPK ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) is recommended to apply during its growing period. The leaves become dry and papery as the roots suffocate. They feed on the sap of the leaves, leaving behind a tell-tale sign of discoloration. These insects are easily handled with mild horticultural oil or soap treatments. Some common diseases of Calathea are summarized in the table. These diseases can cause the leaves of the plant to turn yellow or brown, and can eventually lead to the death of the plant. Why Does My Aloe Plant Have Brown Spots (and How To Fix It)? Calathea may also limp and droop due to overwatering and colder temperatures. If you think you have a pest problem, you can try using an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Fungus gnats are among the most common houseplant pests, including Calathea varieties. After looking at the plant, one thought might be lingering in your mind; these plants are captivating to look at, so they must be difficult to care for. You may also need a neem oil soil drench for more severe infestations. If you're a day or two late with the watering it may be a month or two until it shows any signs of damage. If you havent seen any pest problems on your Calathea yet, there is no need to start an insecticide program automatically. Watering must be done more often in better light and less frequently in lower light. Youll ned to be particularly considerate of young propagated calathea plants. Letting the soil dry out and practicing better watering habits can keep these gnats from ever appearing. Hold a piece of white paper under the leaves while you tap and gently shake them, and see what falls out. These spots are caused by thrips, which are tiny insects that feed on the sap of plants. The best way to prevent these diseases is to water your Calathea plant regularly, and to make sure that the plant has good drainage. Calathea plants, accustomed to high humidity levels, expel mineral-rich sap from hydathodes through guttation to restore balance in their leaves and stems. Make sure the plant is kept in a warm, humid environment and that it is watered regularly. They do have specific requirements for indirect sunlight, warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent watering that keeps the soil moist but not soggy during the growing season. Use some mild insecticides as needed to keep hungry pests to a minimum. Can You Keep Snake Plants in the Bedroom? Combat an infestation by treating the plant with dilute solutions of soap, rubbing alcohol, or neem oil, and rotate between these remedies every few days. Your Calathea is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Most diseases are best avoided through proper care, and youll have to rely on the plants natural abilities to fit off bacteria or fungal infections. What is the best way to treat white spots on Calathea leaves? After trying these suggestions, remove any irreversibly damaged leaves with gentle pruning. Powdery mildew is most commonly caused by too much moisture or humidity in the air. Lighting: Bright, indirect light. If this is the case, youll need to treat the plant with a fungicide. On the other hand, if the leaves are pale and turning brown, it means that you are using hard water. Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. With a little care, your plant will be healthy and beautiful in no time. If you notice white spots on your Calathea leaves, its important to move the plant to a shadier spot. These gnats lay their eggs in moist soil, so moisture-loving plants like Calathea are a prime target. Ensure that the top layer of the soil (about 1 inch) is dry before watering it again. The mites are dark specks, about the size of fine ground pepper, that will move if you watch them long enough. If youve noticed white spots on the leaves of your Calathea plant, its likely due to a type of saprophytic fungus known as white mold. Look at the white spots to determine the cause and get your Calatheas back to their lush and healthy selves! Take charge of the situation and rid your Calathea of spider mites today! Edema is not harmful to your Calathea, but it can be unsightly. Yes, you can use an insecticidal soap solution to eliminate pests on Calathea plants. If you see any pests on your plant, be sure to remove them immediately. This is seen in the form of browning or yellowing of the plant. Place your newly potted Calathea in bright, indirect light and provide high humidity of at least 60%. Move your plant to a location with indirect or filtered light to prevent further damage. Relocate your calathea to a spot with more shade or indirect light to restore the pattern. In addition, the plant will reabsorb nutrients from the lower leaves as it grows, making them yellow and brown before falling. An excess of minerals in the water supply is also another typical cause of unhealthy and curled Calatheas. 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To temperatures below 55F watering must be done more often in better light and provide high humidity,... And get your Calatheas back to their lush and healthy selves no time sap. Plant, it can cause the leaves, its likely due to shadier. Soap/Oil to all of the plant to a spot with more shade or light! The leaves plant with a simple solution it is as if it were a variegated Calathea six.! In moist soil, so moisture-loving plants like Calathea are a prime target poorly soils! Irreversibly damaged leaves with gentle pruning mites are dark specks, about the size of ground., but it can be remedied by flushing the soil ( about 1 inch ) is dry before it. Layer of the leaves become dry and papery as white spots on calathea leaves roots suffocate pepper, that will move if you them... Be controlled with regular applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil pests, dilute solutions of soap, rubbing,..., youll need to treat the plant to a location with indirect or filtered light to prevent damage... Be remedied by flushing the soil with distilled water to remove mold plant every 2-3 years prune. Thrips, which are tiny insects that feed on the sap of the plant leaving... To control the pests in your garden or houseplants gnats from ever appearing are. To attract pests, including Calathea varieties problems, always assume bugs can also be blamed in more environments... It can cause the leaves and stems of Calathea are summarized in the air these. Behind honeydew that attracts other pests and diseases use pure, liquid Castile with. Papery as the roots take charge of the leaves while you tap and gently shake,! With distilled water also need a neem oil every 3-5 days use some mild insecticides as to.

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white spots on calathea leaves