Problems

Calathea Problems: Causes & Quick Fixes

Quick answer

Calathea is prone to 32 common issues - each link below is a plant-specific fix guide.

Calathea houseplant

Calathea problems

Use the guides below to diagnose and fix common issues on Calathea. Each problem page explains why it happens on this species and what to do first.

Or use our problem diagnosis tool to narrow down symptoms.

Common problems on Calathea

Brown Tips

Medium

Likely cause: Fluoride/chlorine in tap water, low humidity (below 50%), or cold air exposure.

Quick fix: Switch to filtered water or rainwater. Humidifier to 60–80% RH. Remove from draughts.

Full fix guide →

Yellow Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Overwatering in low light causing root stress, or natural ageing of lower leaves.

Quick fix: Allow top 2 cm to dry before watering. Improve light. Remove yellowed leaves.

Full fix guide →

Root Rot

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Overwatering

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Underwatering

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Spider Mites

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Mealybugs

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Aphids

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Leggy Growth

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Slow Growth

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Wilting

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Drooping Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Low Humidity

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Not Enough Light

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Fungus Gnats

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Mold on Soil

Medium

Likely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.

Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.

Full fix guide →

Curling Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common curling leaves pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Brown Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common brown leaves pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Black Spots

Medium

Likely cause: Common black spots pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Holes in Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common holes in leaves pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Pale Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common pale leaves pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Distorted Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Common distorted leaves pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Scale Insects

Medium

Likely cause: Common scale insects pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Thrips

Medium

Likely cause: Common thrips pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Whiteflies

Medium

Likely cause: Common whiteflies pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Leaf Miners

Medium

Likely cause: Common leaf miners pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Caterpillars

Medium

Likely cause: Common caterpillars pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Nitrogen Deficiency

Medium

Likely cause: Common nitrogen deficiency pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Iron Deficiency

Medium

Likely cause: Common iron deficiency pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Magnesium Deficiency

Medium

Likely cause: Common magnesium deficiency pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Potassium Deficiency

Medium

Likely cause: Common potassium deficiency pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Calcium Deficiency

Medium

Likely cause: Common calcium deficiency pattern on Calathea under indoor care stress.

Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.

Full fix guide →

Browse all plant problems

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Calathea?

Every 5–7 days spring and summer (top 2 cm beginning to dry). 7–10 days winter. Use filtered water, rainwater, or overnight-stood tap water.

What light does Calathea need?

Calathea grows best in medium to bright indirect light, low indirect light.

Is Calathea safe for cats and dogs?

Calathea is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Always monitor pets around new plants and contact your vet if unusual symptoms appear.

How do I propagate Calathea?

Propagate Calathea from healthy stem or root divisions during active growth.

What soil is best for Calathea?

Use well-draining but moisture-retentive mix. pH 6.0–7.5. Peat or coco coir base with perlite.

When should I repot Calathea?

Repot Calathea when roots circle the pot or growth slows despite good care.

Why does my Calathea have brown tips?

Fluoride/chlorine in tap water, low humidity (below 50%), or cold air exposure. Quick fix: Switch to filtered water or rainwater. Humidifier to 60–80% RH. Remove from draughts.

How this Calathea problems guide is reviewed?

Editorial policyReview board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board · Updated August 28, 2026

This Calathea problems problem guide was researched and written by . Problems symptoms on Calathea, lookalike causes, and step-by-step fixes are cross-checked against extension pest, disease, and care references before publication.

We prioritize sources that hold up under scrutiny:

  • University cooperative extension bulletins and fact sheets (Penn State, Clemson, UMD, NC State, and similar programs)
  • Botanical garden and horticultural society publications
  • Peer-reviewed plant science and veterinary toxicology references where pet safety matters (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control)
  • Established reference works on indoor plant culture

The LeafyPixels editorial team then reviews the draft for clarity, step-by-step usefulness, and fit with real apartment and home conditions-not ideal greenhouse setups. When guidance changes materially, we update the page and note the revision date.

Sources used

  1. **60%** through winter heating season (n.d.) Goeppertia Ornata. [Online]. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/goeppertia-ornata/ (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  2. about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long (n.d.) Fungus Gnats. [Online]. Available at: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/fungus-gnats/ (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  3. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) (n.d.) Fungus Gnats On Houseplants. [Online]. Available at: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/fungus-gnats-on-houseplants/ (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  4. below about 50% (n.d.) Goeppertia Bachemiana. [Online]. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/goeppertia-bachemiana/ (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  5. Bloomscape notes mineral buildup can burn tips and curl leaves (n.d.) Why Are The Leaves On My Calathea Curling. [Online]. Available at: https://bloomscape.com/common-issue/why-are-the-leaves-on-my-calathea-curling/ (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  6. breaking down organic matter (n.d.) Algae And Fungal Growth Soil Indoor Plants. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/algae-and-fungal-growth-soil-indoor-plants (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  7. Brooklyn Botanic Garden notes that Calatheas do not like to dry between waterings (n.d.) The Wonderful World Of Calatheas. [Online]. Available at: https://www.bbg.org/article/the_wonderful_world_of_calatheas (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  8. Calathea is non-toxic to cats and dogs (n.d.) Calathea. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/calathea (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  9. central heating can hold relative humidity (n.d.) Winter Houseplant Tips. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/news/winter-houseplant-tips (Accessed: 28 August 2026).
  10. Check leaf undersides and unfurling tips with a flashlight after dark (n.d.) Insects On Indoor Plants. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/yard-and-garden-insects/insects-on-indoor-plants (Accessed: 28 August 2026).