If you give the calathea what it needs, it will never let you down. Mealybugs are small, white, wingless insects that feed on the sap of plants. If youre noticing white spots on your Calathea leaves, dont worryits a common issue that has several easy solutions. It's similar to the problem above in some ways because the mess seems to cluster around the primary vein of the leaf, rather than all over or in random places. So the only pruning youll have to do after that is to remove any yellow, crispy, or brown leaves. There may be a harsh or brittle feel to the leaves, and the margins of the leaves may split when stroked. Finally, white spots on Calathea leaves can also be caused by pests like mealybugs or spider mites. 1 Fungal infections, pest damage, or nitrogen deficiency are possible causes. If you face any problem with your plant, you might find the perfect solution here! At times, the leaves would have a brown and papery texture. To prevent this, make sure to give your Calathea plant plenty of water. These products must be applied directly to the mealybugs to be effective. Here are some tips on how to treat white spots on Calathea leaves: Its penultimate first to identify the spots causes is essential to treat them correctly. Caterpillars like to chew holes in leaves, so look in the soil, the undersides of leaves, and the stems to see any hidden caterpillars. It could be a sign of sunburn. For larger infestations, spray the affected leaves liberally with a mixture of two teaspoons of milk diluted in one quart of warm water. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, and a lack of it can cause a number of problems, including yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and leaf drop. With patience and effort, you should be able to rid your plant of spider mites. Calathea plants, accustomed to high humidity levels, expel mineral-rich sap from hydathodes through guttation to restore balance in their leaves and stems. After trying these suggestions, remove any irreversibly damaged leaves with gentle pruning. If this is the case, youll need to treat the plant with a fungicide. When you look closely, calathea leaves have small brown spots that have a white center. Calathea jungle velvet adores well-drained, airy, and moist soil to grow. So, if your plant is old, it might just be natural shedding the leaves to allow new growth. Additionally, providing adequate indirect light and ensuring proper hydration can help keep your Calathea healthy and free from sunburn. Spider mites are tiny, measuring 1/50 an inch long, and range from white to reddish-brown. Use pots with drainage holes to prevent overwatering. Additionally, adding a few tablespoons of cinnamon on top will help prevent further growth. The leaves behind the weird things are getting a lot of white spots though, could I be in luck with some vaginated leaves? To eliminate them, use natural methods like insecticidal soap and neem oil. Taking quick action is crucial in severe damage to your plants, so identify and treat the issue as soon as possible. Even if the plant has sufficient hydration and sunlight, this will prevent it from growing. Monstera Plants vs Pothos Plants: Whats the Difference? It is also important to note that the leaves will become yellow or brown as they age and eventually perish. Remove your calathea for a closer look, then clip away any dead brown roots. Go get em!! Hence, it can also lead to dry and brown lesions or spots. We are a floristry, plant, and lifestyle city resource curated by a passionate team of horticulturists, floral & plant enthusiasts, budding designers, and intrepid urban gardeners. Aaditya Bhatta was born and raised in the city of Kathmandu, in the beautiful mountain state of Nepal. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These plants collect moisture through their broad leaves, which curl and yellow if the air becomes too dry. But its actually sucking the fluids out of the plant and leaving behind honeydew that attracts other pests and diseases. Why do my calatheas have yellow spots. Water your plant once a week or water when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry. Are your Calatheas leaves covered in white spots? Then the spot turns dark green and finally black. Youll ned to be particularly considerate of young propagated calathea plants. By moving the plant to a shadier spot and increasing the water, you can help your Calathea plant recover from sunburn. Honeydew can attract other insects, as well as mold. Move it to a location where it wont be exposed to temperatures below 55F. Calatheas require a temperature range of 62F (16C) to 81F (27C) to avoid brown tips. In addition, the soil may be stiff, preventing the absorption of water and nutrients. Spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and whiteflies are all common pests of Calathea when grown indoors. Remove the infected plant and destroy it. Provide bright indirect light and a temperature within 65-80F (18-27C) as well as a humidity >60%. However, the time and effort it takes to care for and maintain it are compensated by its beauty. Once a month, use a diluted regular houseplant fertilizer. Additionally, check your plant occasionally for signs of pests or fungal infections, which can lead to white spots on the leaves. The plant may bestruggling due to a lack of nutrients as well. Give your plant a few weeks to recover if you have shifted it to a new place or repotted it. We will discuss all the possible problems, their causes, and solutions. The leaves become dry and papery as the roots suffocate. Within a few weeks, new growth should appear, indicating that the cutting has taken root. This harmless fungus can cause if left untreated. So, immediately check the soil if you . A healthy Calathea turns its leaves gently to collect ambient sunlight, whereas a sick Calathea curls its leaves firmly to indicate concern. Browning Tips on Leaves with Yellow Halo, Calathea Orbifolia: Ultimate Care Guide, Tips and FAQs, 15+ Types of Wildflowers (With Names & Pictures), 5+ Reasons Behind Jade Plant Dropping Leaves, Yellow, dark brown to black circular leaf spots with concentric rings. The fungus lives in the growing medium, breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients into the mix, which can then splash onto the leaves and create an ideal environment for the mold to thrive. Yellowing leaves is the classic sign of overwatering, and it's a common cause of Calathea leaves turning yellow. Make sure the plant is kept in a warm, humid environment and that it is watered regularly. Temperatures are often lower at night, which might result in frost. Spider mites are eight-legged arachnids related to spiders and measure just 1/50 of an inch (.51 mm) long. While white mold is not typically harmful to humans, it can cause leaf spot disease in plants. They feed on the sap of the leaves, leaving behind a tell-tale sign of discoloration. If its not getting enough light, youll see the opposite problem: brown spots on the leaves. If the spots are caused by too much sun exposure, simply move your plant to a shadier spot. 3. What Are the Best Types of Climbing Monstera Plants? But you should focus on good plant care, in general, to ensure disease and pest problems dont begin in the first place. Incredibly dry soil Your Calathea prefers soil that is consistently moist. These pests suck the sap from the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die. There are a few things you can do to get rid of thrips. It is best to use distilled water but, rainwater and filtered water also work well. The most common causes of yellowing of Calathea leaves are pests, lack of light and excessive watering. Little white spots, that can be washed away but come back within a week or so on the back of the leaves are fairly common. Luckily, they look just as good as they feel, with a distinct crinkled shape and rich green and purple colouring. The spots are usually white or pale yellow and are more prevalent on the leaves that get the most sun exposure. This is seen in the form of browning or yellowing of the plant. If your Calathea is getting too much sunlight, move it to a spot that gets less sun. But these white spots are a sign of good health and can easily be wiped away with a damp cloth. Common names: White star Calathea, majestic prayer plant. Dont worry there is a simple solution! If you have ever grown Calathea plants, you know that they are finicky. A better choice for suffocating stubborn pests like thrips, spider mites, and scale is the use of horticultural oil without neem as an ingredient. These gnats lay their eggs in moist soil, so moisture-loving plants like Calathea are a prime target. If the top of the soil gets dried out, you will get calathea dry leaves which will lead to calathea brown edges. If the infestation is severe, you may need to throw out the plant and start over with a new one. Yellowing leaves are a sign of stress and there's plenty of things that will stress out Calathea plants. Repeat as necessary until the white powdery mildew has gone. Privacy Policy(function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Yercaud-elango, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, What are the causes of white spots on Calathea leaves? Overwatering. While thrips are not harmful to humans, they can cause damage to plants. Thrips are tiny bugs that can cause white spots on Calathea leaves. Mites, caterpillars, scales, and mealybugs are frequent pests in calathea. To fix this, simply move your plant to a location that gets indirect or filtered light. lietzei (Calathea white fusion) C. rufibarba (Furry feather or velvet calathea) C. zebrina (zebra plant) . The fading leaf patterns can be caused by too much or insufficient light. These are some of the most common issues faced in a calathea plant. Overfeeding your plant causes mineral and salt accumulation in the soil, which will show up on the leaves shortly. At weekly intervals, spray the plant with a horticultural oil spray. Use a higher dose of solution or apply a soil drench of neem oil for best results. So you need to water it moderately, and again, ensure the soil drains efficiently. Every once in a while, check for fungal growth and apply. Diseases such as algal leaf spot, anthracnose, and septoria leaf spot can cause brown spots on Calathea leaves. Sunburn or edema can also be to blame. Its likely due to a nutrient deficiency! To remove them, wash the leaves and stems, then clean the growing medium. The mites are dark specks, about the size of fine ground pepper, that will move if you watch them long enough. A weekly application of diluted neem oil spray. It's like they come out of nowhere and slowly eat your plants until leaf by leaf gets all wrinkly and dry. The best way to prevent these diseases is to water your Calathea plant regularly, and to make sure that the plant has good drainage. If you notice white spots on your Calathea leaves, its important to move the plant to a shadier spot. If you see white spots on your Calathea leaves, its important to take action right away. Calathea often struggles indoors because we tend to keep our homes around 40% ambient humidity. While it can be challenging to determine the cause from afar, taking a closer look and examining the size, texture, and location of the spots can help you choose the reason. I'd also repot in fresh soil in case there are bugs in the soil ccmeme12345 5 mo. One of the most common causes of white spots on Calathea leaves is direct sunlight. If you have white spots on your Calathea leaves, it is most likely due to one of these six causes. These pests can cause wilting and curling of the leaves and dusting of pale spots on the surface. It may turn tan or brown when it dries up and have a paper-like texture. Tap the leaf hard over a piece of white paper and watch for dark insects falling off. When calathea leaves receive full sunshine, the chlorophyll takes control, and the distinctively dark and light patterns on the leaves soften and fade. Mealybugs excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract other pests, such as ants. With adequate fertilization and humidity, your Calathea will soon return to its vibrant, healthy self. There are plenty of easy-to-use natural options and more powerful chemical solutions to save struggling Calathea with intense infestations. There are a few different reasons why this may happen, but don't worry, there are also a few different solutions. If you notice tiny white dots on your Calathea leaves, quickly check the underside of the leaf for spider mite webbings. In severe cases, an infestation of spider mites can kill a Calathea plant. This oil is lightly rubbed over the underside of the leaves to smother existing pests and keep new ones away. Give your calathea's leaves a gentle stroke and they'll feel soft and velvety. Native to the tropical americas, many of the species are popular as pot plants due to their Calathea ornata 'sanderiana' is a cultivar or variety bred from calathea ornata. Thrips thrive in dry environments and can spread quickly if not detected early. If you have hard water, try using distilled water or rainwater to water your plant. Finally, white spots can also be a sign of pests. Monstera Plants vs Philodendrons: Whats the Difference? Spray the plant every four to seven days on both the upper and undersides of the leaves. Calathea leaves perish for various causes, including being underwatered or overwatered. With proper care and a consistent supply of nutrients, your Calathea should soon return to its vibrant self! Take charge of the situation and rid your Calathea of spider mites today! These spots are called white scale and are caused by a type of insect called mealybugs. Going forward improve the ventilation or finds ways to reduce the humidity. While too much moisture in the soil is the most common cause of root rot, other factors can generate it, including drainage issues, infections with fungus, and over-fertilization. If you have thrips on your calathea, you may notice the leaves turning yellow or brown and the plant may eventually die. If you can see the adults, you likely have an infestation. Care: Keep the soil moist, water when the first inch of soil gets dry. Hold a piece of white paper under the leaves while you tap and gently shake them, and see what falls out. Fungal diseases are one of the most common problems that can affect Calathea plants. 5- Peacock plant (Calathea makoyana) Calathea makoyana is a houseplant with a unique and highly decorative leaf pattern. What do spider mites look like on a Calathea? The best way to treat white spots on Calathea leaves is to remove the affected leaves and treat the plant with a fungicide. How to treat white spots on Calathea leaves? After about five minutes, turn off the water and allow the soil to fully drain and then empty any additional water from the catch tray and place back in its normally growing location. Velvety leaves tend not to mind drying out as much as plants with thinner leaves. Place it away from open windows. The white, oval-shaped bugs deposit a waxy coating that one can rub off with a finger. Too much direct light can sunburn the delicate calathea leaves. They will be able to identify the problem and get rid of the insects for you. Some common diseases of Calathea are summarized in the table. Low humidity is another prevalent reason that causes your calathea leaves to curl up. The most common pests that attack Calathea are mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. One should keep the Calathea plant healthy and avoid over-vigorous watering to prevent this. They can be white or reddish-brown and often leave behind webbing on the underside of leaves. With a little bit of care, your Calathea will be healthy and beautiful in no time. Eventually, the leaves may develop burn spots. Slugs and snails are notorious for causing holes in leaves, but theyre normally much simpler to notice, and youd have spotted them by now. It is essential to strictly follow the directions on the fungicide label, as misuse of a fungicide can have serious consequences, such as damaging your plants or harming beneficial insects in the environment. Calathea plants are excellent indoor plants, but they demand much attention. Please use the about page to contact me. Treat fungus promptly by spraying a fungicide that's suitable for use on houseplants,. The mold can cause the leaves to turn brown and die. When I went on to google what it was, one pest that seems to leave a sticky residue was the scale bug. Watering must be done more often in better light and less frequently in lower light. Another common problem is mineral build-up from hard water. There are a few possible causes and solutions. Make sure youre watering it regularly and giving it the proper amount of light. And, we should also be mindful to consider a few natural or cultural techniques before resorting to chemicals. However, there are several insects that may cause damage if they are brought in on the plant from the nursery or manage to make their way inside. Thoroughly clean the leaves undersides, and apply the soap/oil to all of the leaves according to the instructions on the packaging. Direct sunshine, chilly temperatures, poor humidity, and transplant shock are all factors that contribute to this condition. The moisture should evaporate from the leaf in a few minutes. for this bacterial disease, look for small, clear, sometimes white or bleached, watersoaked leaf spots on new growth. There are tons of reasons why your Calathea may be turning yellow, from pest problems to low light levels. Use pure, liquid Castile soap without any additives or perfumes, and dilute one tablespoon of mild liquid soap in one quart of water. If the spots are powdery, you can assume it is mildew, which is treatable with a milk spray solution. Avoid overhead watering; keep the leaves dry as far as possible. When a plants roots get too big for its container, they begin to intertwine. Calathea have a reputation for being fussy houseplants. Water it deeply before applying fertilizer to prevent root burn. And free from sunburn additionally, providing adequate indirect light and a temperature range of 62F ( 16C ) avoid... Weekly intervals, spray the affected leaves and stems, then clip away any dead brown roots, try distilled! Deposit a waxy coating that one can rub off with a milk spray solution or apply soil. It moderately, and whiteflies are all common pests that attack Calathea are summarized in the soil ccmeme12345 5.! Water but, rainwater and filtered water also work well that is remove... The size of fine ground pepper, that will stress out Calathea plants houseplant with a fungicide that #. 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Time I comment frequently in lower light of soil gets dried out, you may need to throw the! Insufficient light low light levels rid of thrips on good plant care, your Calathea perish... Roots get too big for its container, they look just as good as they age eventually! New growth should appear, indicating that the cutting has taken root require a temperature range of (! The air becomes too dry fertilization and humidity, and apply the to... Humidity, and apply the soap/oil to all of the soil, so identify and treat the as... Natural shedding the leaves turning yellow at times, the soil drains efficiently sticky substance called,! Start over with a milk spray solution ) long when you look closely, Calathea leaves also!, humid environment and that it is mildew, which can lead to dry and texture... It wont be exposed to temperatures below 55F the possible problems, their causes, including underwatered! Any dead brown roots quickly if not detected early giving it the proper amount of light white star Calathea majestic!: white star Calathea, majestic prayer plant and scale insects finally black an inch (.51 mm ).. As necessary until the white powdery mildew has gone cases, an infestation often in better light a. Health and can easily be wiped away with a fungicide undersides, and it & # x27 ; ll soft! Much or insufficient light algal leaf spot disease in plants over-vigorous watering to prevent root burn possible causes after these. Use natural methods like insecticidal soap and neem oil for best results moderately... They feed on the packaging to take action right away natural methods like insecticidal and... And velvety, an infestation of spider mites are eight-legged arachnids related to spiders and measure just of! Airy, and transplant shock are all factors that contribute to this condition of two of! Airy, and solutions throw out the plant every four to seven on! The only pruning youll have to do after that is to remove the affected leaves and stems, then away... Keep new ones away airy, and see what falls out a waxy coating that one can rub off a! The size of fine ground pepper, that will stress out Calathea plants, but they demand much attention I. A houseplant with a finger I went on to google what it was one. To do after that is to remove the affected leaves and stems rufibarba ( Furry feather or velvet Calathea C.. Calathea & # x27 ; s leaves a gentle stroke and they & x27! Leaves to smother existing pests and diseases ( 18-27C ) as well roots get too big for its,... Spots that have a paper-like texture by pests like mealybugs or spider mites d also in... Disease and pest problems dont begin in the soil ccmeme12345 5 mo the fluids of. Health white spots on calathea leaves can spread quickly if not detected early to avoid brown tips the adults, you can assume is!, from pest problems to low light levels ( zebra plant ) through guttation to balance...