Calathea White Fusion Care Guide
Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Calathea
Botanical Name: Calathea lietzei
Difficulty: For the experienced plant parent
Calatheas are such beautiful plants, and the Calathea White Fusion is one of the more pastel varieties. They have thin leaves laced with white on top and purple undersides. Why wouldn’t any one want to own one of these gorgeous plants? They aren’t the best plant for beginners, so let’s talk about what your Calathea White Fusion needs from you!
Light
You’ll notice your Calathea White Fusion has very thin leaves, which means they do not do well with direct light. Too little light will cause the leaves to become darker, and too much light will leave the leaves “bleached.” Placement of your Calathea is crucial to avoid burning! They do best in a bright filtered light similar to what you get when you leave the blinds partially closed.
Water
Calathea White Fusions do best when the soil is kept just a little damp below the topsoil. You should always test the soil before watering, but it really matters with Calatheas because they are very sensitive to underwatering and overwatering. When watering, make sure water drains all the way out, and empty the drainage tray. As with other Calatheas, your Calathea White Fusion is sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Let tap water get to room temperature over night, use distilled water, or collect rainwater to water your plants with!
Climate
Calatheas love humidity and warm temperatures. The best place for your Calathea White Fusion is a warm area that is not affected by the sudden change when your heat and air cut off because they are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperatures. Increase the stability in your plants immediate environment by placing them on top of a pebble tray or adding a humidifier.
Soil
You should choose a very rich, well-draining potting mix for your Calathea White Fusion. Because they like for the soil to stay damp, you want to make sure their soil is not holding any excess moisture. If you’re unsure, you can never go wrong with an African Violet soil! If you’re feeling bold, create your own mixture with regular potting mix, orchard bark, and perlite!
Pests & Diseases
Your Calathea White Fusion’s love for damp soil can invite unwanted friends like fungus gnats and root rot, so always check the water before watering! Checking for pests like mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites while watering your plants is a great way to stay ontop of things to avoid an infestation.
Tips
If you have more than one Calathea, group them all together around a humidifier for a consistent environment.
For your own sense of mind, keep your Calathea White Fusion in a nursery pot to ensure proper drainage.
Avoid south-facing windows to help keep your Calathea out of direct sunlight.
Use a sheer cloth or curtain to filter the light!
Signs your plant is unhappy
Yellow, brown, or dead leaves: overwatered
Curling, wilting, or drooping leaves: underwatered
Losing leaf pattern: improper sunlight
Propagation
You can choose to propagate your Calathea White Fusion via root division (if the mother plant is healthy) or node cutting. If you choose to root divide, check for pups first, because this may speed up the process. Separate all pups and offshoots from the mother plant, making sure each one has its own root system. Repot the pups and offshoots into a 4 inch pot with African Violet potting mix.
When root dividing the mother plant, take a very sharp knife and make a clean cut down the middle of your plant. You want each half to have half of the roots and leaves attached to stems. Repot each half into a 6 inch pot with African Violet potting mix.
Fun Facts
They’re a rare Calathea, making them hard to find!
They’re native to Central Mexico and Tropical South America.
They are pet-friendly!
Their leaves “fold” at night.
Hardiness Zones
It’s so important that you check your areas hardiness zone before moving your plants outside. With plants like the Calathea White Fusion that tend to be a little on the finicky side, you should be cautious if moving them outdoors.
The USDA Hardiness Zones for Calathea White Fusion are 11b-12b.
