Calathea Zebrina

Caring for Your Calathea Zebrina

Light Calathea Zebrina likes medium light but will quickly burn in direct sun. We’ve found they do best a few feet away from east or north-facing windows. If your home doesn’t get much natural light, don’t worry – they handle lower light pretty well, especially in winter.

Watering Check the soil weekly – these plants like it consistently moist but not soggy. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. During winter, you’ll probably only need to water once a week or even less frequently.

Humidity As tropical plants, Zebrinas love humidity! If you notice crispy leaf edges, your home is likely too dry. I keep mine in the bathroom, but a humidifier works great too. Grouping plants together also helps create a more humid microclimate.

Temperature Keep your Zebrina in rooms between 18-24°C (64-75°F). They really don’t like cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, so keep them away from doors and windows during winter.

Fertilizer Feed your Zebrina every 4-6 weeks from spring through early fall using a regular houseplant fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength. We’ve learned the hard way that these plants are sensitive to over-fertilizing!

Repotting These plants grow pretty quickly during warm months and usually need repotting once a year. When you see roots coming out the drainage holes, it’s time for a slightly larger pot. Spring is the best time to repot.