How do I propagate my Calathea?

The Calathea is a gorgeous houseplant and a real eye-catcher in any room. It is almost impossible to get enough of this plant! The Calathea originally comes from the Amazon, where the climate is very different from ours here in the Netherlands. That makes propagating a Calathea a little challenging, but certainly not impossible!

What do you need to propagate a Calathea?

Propagating a Calathea takes patience, precision and the right materials. Here is what you need:

A sharp, clean knife or scissors: for carefully cutting through roots.
A pot with potting soil: somewhere the Calathea can grow well for years to come.
Patience and care: propagating a Calathea asks for attention and a gentle hand.

The Calathea cutting

Before you start, it is important to work out whether your Calathea is actually suitable for propagating. A Calathea cannot be propagated from a leaf or part of a leaf. The only way to multiply a Calathea is by dividing the roots. That may sound complicated, but it really isn't. Read on to find out how best to propagate your Calathea!

Propagating the Calathea

You know your Calathea is ready to be propagated when you see small stems coming up next to the mother plant. These stems are ideal for propagating, and they show that your Calathea is healthy and developing well.

Carefully lift the whole houseplant out of its pot. Take your time, so that you do not damage the leaves or the roots.
Gently pull the root ball apart. The plant is made up of several sections and you want to work the cutting loose from the mother plant without damaging the roots. Do this really carefully, otherwise both the cutting and the mother plant may develop less well.
Once you have found the right cutting, it will often still be attached to the mother plant. Carefully cut or snip through the roots so that the cutting comes away.

Caring for the Calathea cutting

Now you have the cutting free of the mother plant, it is time to pot it up. Choose a pot big enough for the cutting to grow and develop in over the coming years. Always keep the potting soil lightly moist, especially at the start. It is crucial that the soil does not dry out. The right position also matters a great deal in keeping a Calathea healthy. Put the plant somewhere in partial shade, out of direct sunlight. The Calathea likes higher humidity, so do not stand it next to a radiator or in a draughty spot.

With the right care and attention you can propagate your Calathea successfully and enjoy even more of this gorgeous houseplant!