How to Care for Calathea Medallion

Stunning round leaves with intricate green medallion patterns and deep purple undersides. A pet-safe showstopper that moves with the light!

Calathea Medallion () is a beloved houseplant known for its striking foliage and easy-going nature. Native to tropical regions, this plant has become a favorite among both beginner and experienced plant parents for its adaptability to indoor conditions.

Calathea Medallion likes consistently moist soil and is very sensitive to minerals in tap water - this is one of the trickier aspects of Calathea care.

When to Water: Water when the top inch of soil begins to dry, keeping soil consistently moist but not soggy. Don't let it dry out completely.

Water Quality: Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater. Calatheas are extremely sensitive to chlorine, fluoride, and minerals in tap water, which cause brown leaf tips.

How to Water: Water thoroughly but ensure good drainage. Never let the pot sit in standing water.

💡 Pro Tip: Brown tips on Calathea are almost always from tap water sensitivity. The single best thing you can do for your Medallion is switch to filtered or distilled water!

Calathea Medallion every 7-10 days, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, reduce watering frequency to every 2-3 weeks as growth slows.

Signs your plant needs water:

• Soil is dry 1-2 inches below the surface
• Leaves appear slightly droopy
• Pot feels lighter than usual

Signs of overwatering:

• Yellow leaves, especially lower leaves
• Soft, mushy stems near the soil
• Soil stays wet for more than 10 days

Always use room-temperature water and ensure your pot has drainage holes. Calathea Medallions are more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering.

Calathea Medallion evolved on the rainforest floor and prefers medium indirect light. Too much light is actually more harmful than too little!

Ideal Lighting: Medium indirect light - north or east-facing windows, or several feet from brighter windows. The beautiful patterns show best in moderate light.

Too Much Light: Direct sun or bright light fades the intricate patterns and can cause crispy, bleached patches. If patterns fade, move to lower light.

Too Little Light: Very low light slows growth but the plant generally tolerates it better than too much light.

💡 Pro Tip: Calatheas evolved under the rainforest canopy. When choosing between brighter or dimmer spots, the dimmer option is usually safer for this plant!

Calathea Medallions thrive in bright, indirect light. They can tolerate medium light conditions but will grow slower.

Ideal placement:

• Near an east or north-facing window
• A few feet back from a south or west window
• Filtered light through sheer curtains

Too much light: Brown, crispy patches on leaves; faded or bleached color.

Too little light: Leggy growth; small leaves; plant leaning toward light source.

Rotate your plant every few weeks for even growth on all sides.

Humidity is crucial for Calathea Medallion. In dry conditions, you'll see crispy edges no matter how perfectly you water.

Humidity: Aim for 50-70% humidity. Most homes are around 40%, which is too dry. A humidifier is highly recommended.

Increasing Humidity: Use a humidifier (most effective), pebble tray with water, group plants together, or place in a naturally humid bathroom with adequate light.

Temperature: Keep between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid cold drafts and temperatures below 60°F, which can damage leaves.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're serious about keeping Calatheas happy, invest in a humidifier. No amount of misting will substitute for consistent humidity levels of 50%+.

Calathea Medallions prefer humidity levels of 50-60% and temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

Ways to increase humidity:

• Use a humidifier near your plant
• Group plants together
• Place pot on a pebble tray with water

Temperature tips:

• Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents
• Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C)
• Protect from sudden temperature changes

Calatheas need soil that stays evenly moist without becoming waterlogged - a balance of moisture retention and drainage.

Ideal Soil: Use a peat-based potting mix with perlite for drainage. African Violet mix works well. Add coco coir for moisture retention.

When to Repot: Every 1-2 years in spring, or when rootbound. Calatheas have shallow root systems and don't need deep pots.

Pot Selection: Choose a pot only slightly larger with drainage holes. Plastic or glazed ceramic retains moisture better than terracotta.

💡 Pro Tip: Unlike many houseplants, Calatheas actually benefit from plastic pots that retain moisture better than porous terracotta.

Calathea Medallion is not a heavy feeder and is sensitive to fertilizer salts. A light touch is essential.

Feeding Schedule: Apply balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter to half strength monthly during spring and summer. Stop in fall and winter.

Sensitivity: Calatheas are easily burned by too much fertilizer. Brown tips can result from over-fertilization as well as water issues.

Less is More: If you're unsure, use less fertilizer. An underfed Calathea is healthier than an overfed one.

💡 Pro Tip: Dilute fertilizer more than package directions suggest. Quarter strength is often better than half for sensitive Calatheas.

Calathea Medallion monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Fertilizing schedule:

• Spring/Summer: Once per month
• Fall/Winter: Every 6-8 weeks, or not at all

Best fertilizers:

• Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20)
• Slow-release pellets applied in spring
• Organic options like worm castings

Never fertilize a stressed or newly repotted plant. Wait at least 4-6 weeks after repotting.

Brown Crispy Leaf Tips/Edges

Cause: Usually tap water sensitivity (chlorine, fluoride, minerals) or low humidity. This is the most common Calathea complaint!

Solution: Switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater. Increase humidity with a humidifier to 50%+. Brown tips won't recover but new growth should be healthy.

Curling Leaves

Cause: Usually underwatering or low humidity. The leaves curl to conserve moisture.

Solution: Check soil - if dry, water immediately. Increase humidity. Leaves should uncurl once conditions improve. Severe curling may indicate root problems.

Fading Patterns

Cause: Too much light bleaching the leaves. Can also be natural as leaves age.

Solution: Move to lower light location away from direct sun. Patterns won't return to damaged leaves but new growth should be better.

Yellow Leaves

Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, or cold damage. Sometimes normal aging of oldest leaves.

Solution: Check drainage and reduce watering if soil stays wet too long. Ensure plant isn't in cold drafts. Some yellowing of oldest leaves is normal.