Calathea Medallion Guide: How to Grow Calathea Medallion

The calathea medallion (Goeppertia veitchiana syn. Calathea veitchiana) is an herbaceous perennial in the Marantaceae family. This plant has large, light-to-dark green medallion-like leaves with deep burgundy undersides. In the evenings, the calathea medallion leaves fold up slightly, similar to the prayer plant. The large oval leaves of the calathea medallion sprout from a single stem that grows about two to three feet in height.

Calathea veitchiana medallions have a slow growth habit, and the best way to propagate them is to divide their tuberous roots (called rhizomes) and replant them. Calathea medallions are endemic to warmer regions like Ecuador and Peru, and they make popular houseplants in climates outside of their warm and tropical native regions. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones eight to eleven.

There are several types of calathea plants, each with their own unique characteristics. Here are some of the most popular calathea plants.

1. 1. Orbifolia prayer plant (Calathea orbifolia): Significantly larger than many other varieties of calathea, The Calathea orbifolia plant is significantly larger than many other calathea varieties, reaching heights of over three feet. It has broad and flowy leaves, but they retain the general prayer plant’s trademark pinstripe pattern.
2. 2. Pinstripe calathea (Goeppertia ornata syn. Calathea ornata): This calathea has striking, veined leaves that prefer high moisture and low light. Mist distilled water on the soil around this plant to keep it consistently moist.
3. 3. Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis syn. Calathea lancifolia): Calathea lancifolia is sometimes called rattlesnake plant due to the scaly, variegated pattern of its leaves. Its leaves are narrower than many other calathea plants.
4. 4. Rose-painted calathea (Goeppertia roseopicta syn. Calathea roseopicta): The Calathea roseopicta medallion plant has dark purple and pink leaves with hints of green. It grows best with medium light and a humid environment.
5. 5. Zebra plant (Goeppertia zebrina syn. Calathea zebrina): The zebra calathea has leaves that feature straight, light green stripes against a dark green background. Their showy evergreen leaves do not tolerate direct sunlight.

You can plant calathea medallions as indoor or outdoor plants, but if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter months, consider planting them inside. If you do that, you can plant your calathea at any time of the year. Keep in mind that this plant needs temperatures between fifty-five and sixty degrees Fahrenheit to thrive.

Successfully growing a calathea medallion plant can be a challenge, but with the right conditions, you can have these beautiful plants growing in your own home in no time. The best way to grow a new plant is to divide its rhizomes, which are the tuberous roots that it uses to spread underground. Follow this guide to grow a calathea medallion plant.

1. 1. Prepare your soil. Fill a well-draining container that has drainage holes with porous potting soil as your planting medium. Mix perlite and peat moss with your potting mix for improved drainage and aeration.
2. 2. Divide the rhizomes. Obtain a rhizome (or tuberous root) cutting from an existing calathea medallion plant (preferably during the early spring). Dig up an established calathea plant, and shake some of the dirt off of its roots. Tease the roots apart with your fingers to find a healthy tuberous root attached to a growing stem with a few shoots sticking out of it. Cut off this stem from the mother plant.
3. 3. Replant the cutting. Dig a hole deep enough to your divided root and some of the stem, then backfill the hole to hold the stem upright. Water your new cutting thoroughly and place in an area that receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.

Calathea medallion care is tricky, and many amateur gardeners struggle to keep these plants healthy. However, there are a few plant care tips you can follow to help your calathea medallion thrive.

1. 1. Add humidity. Calathea plants are used to a tropical climate, so keep a moderate to high humidity level in the room. Mist the plant with lukewarm water or keep a humidifier in the room to add humidity to it.
2. 2. Fertilize. Fertilize your medallion plants around once a month during the warm growing season. Treat these foliage plants with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer in the spring and summer months.
3. 3. Sunlight. If you plant your medallion outdoors, find an area away from direct sunlight (an area with partial shade or dappled, indirect sunlight). As indoor plants, they will grow best in an east or south-facing window with bright indirect light, but also tolerate low to medium light. Keep your plants away from doorways, radiators, or areas prone to cold drafts and extreme temperature changes, as this can also damage the plant.
4. 4. Use room temperature water. When watering your calatheas, use room temperature water rather than cold water to avoid shocking the roots. Calathea medallions are sensitive to minerals in the water (like chlorine and fluoride), so filter your tap water first or use distilled water. Water from the top to help flush out any mineral buildup.
5. 5. Watch for brown or yellow leaves. If your calathea leaves develop crispy brown edges, your plant is getting too much sun. Move the calathea into an area with less direct light and prune off the brown leaves (or only trim away the parts that are turning brown). If the leaves turn yellow, it may be a sign of overwatering or pest damage.
6. 6. Watch for pests. Some common problems with calathea medallions include spider mites, thrips, aphids, and mealybugs. Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth or use an organic insecticide like neem oil to treat any infestations.
7. 7. Watering schedule. Only water your calatheas when the top inch of potting mix or soil has dried out. Watering too frequently may lead to root rot or fungus gnats. (However, underwatering may also cause dry, curling leaves.)

Calathea medallions are non-toxic plants. It is safe to keep these plants inside your home as they have no toxicity and are not poisonous to kids or pets.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.