How do I propagate my Calathea?

How to propagate my Calathea?

The Calathea is a beautiful indoor plant that truly stands out in any space. It’s almost impossible to get enough of this plant! Originally from the Amazon region, the Calathea’s climate differs significantly from our Dutch climate. Due to this difference, propagating a Calathea can be somewhat challenging, but it’s definitely not impossible!

What you need to propagate a Calathea

Propagating a Calathea requires patience, precision, and the right materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

A sharp and clean knife or scissors: For carefully cutting the roots.
A pot with potting soil: Where the Calathea can grow well for the coming years.
Patience and care: Propagating a Calathea requires attention and a gentle hand.

The Calathea cutting

Before you start propagating, it’s important to determine whether your Calathea is suitable for propagation. Calathea cannot be propagated through a single leaf or part of it. The only way to propagate a Calathea is by dividing the roots. This may sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. Read on to find out how you can best propagate the Calathea!

Propagating the Calathea

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

Carefully remove the entire indoor plant from its pot. Be cautious when doing this to avoid damaging the leaves and roots.
Gently separate the root ball. The plant consists of several parts, and you want to separate the cutting from the mother plant without damaging the roots. Be very careful, as doing this roughly can result in both the cutting and the mother plant not developing well.
If you find the right cutting, it is often attached to the mother plant. Cut or trim the roots carefully to release the cutting.

Caring for the Calathea cutting

Now that you have the cutting separated from the mother plant, it’s time to pot the cutting. Choose a pot that is large enough to allow the cutting to grow and develop well for the coming years. Keep the potting soil lightly moist, especially at the beginning. It’s crucial that the soil does not dry out. The right location for a Calathea is also very important for its health. Place the plant in a spot with partial shade and away from direct sunlight. Calathea enjoys higher humidity, so do not place the plant near a heater or in a drafty area.

With the right care and attention, you can successfully propagate your Calathea and enjoy even more of this beautiful indoor plant!