How I Grew my Massive Calathea Orbifolia in 2 years

The Calathea Orbifolia is well known for being difficult to grow and many plant lovers have given up. This guide is for all those plant lovers who think it is impossible to keep this plant happy. I share my experiences growing my large Calathea Orbifolia from a tiny plant to the lovely specimen it is today.

My secret weapon is using leca clay balls instead of soil to grow the plant. Let's explore my ‘how to’ grow a massive Calathea Orbifolia. You can also view this YouTube video below to see my plant ‘in real life’ as I discuss how I grew my massive Calathea Orbifolia in 2 years.

The perception of Calathea plants as slow growers is quite common, given their particular demands for specific growing conditions. However, when these needs are fulfilled, most species of this tropical plant can flourish quickly, reaching a mature height of approximately 1 metre within one to two years.

Native to tropical environments, Calathea Orbifolia thrives in consistent moisture and high humidity. During the spring and summer months, a well-cared-for Orbifolia plant can produce several new leaves each month and expand in width rather than height, making it an impressive addition to your indoor collection.

So how did I get my plant to grow so big?

The important role that the growth medium the Calathea Orbifolia is growing in can not be understated. The growing medium directly affects root health, which in turn affects the overall well-being of the plant. When selecting a growing medium for your Calathea Orbifolia, take into account moisture retention and drainage.

For ideal conditions to nurture your Calathea, it's worth considering using Leca clay balls instead of soil in your plant care routine.

Using Leca clay balls to grow indoor plants is becoming more and more popular and for good reason. Leca has fantastic water-wicking and drainage capabilities, making it the perfect growing medium for finicky plants like Calatheas

In indoor plant care, achieving a perfect balance between water and nutrition can be a daunting task, probably more so for Calathea Orbifolia. Thankfully, leca clay balls hold the solution to this perennial problem.

Leca clay balls serve as an innovative growing medium for the Orbifolia plant. They're designed to maintain optimal root moisture - neither too soggy nor overly dry - conditions that the Calathea loves.

When using leca in a semi-hydroponic set-up, there is always nutrient solution in the reservoir, as a result, this ensures that the Calathea Orbifolia is constantly exposed to water and nutrients, and this propels growth.

A crucial element in nurturing your Calathea Orbifolia is understanding its light requirements. Calatheas require an environment that provides bright indirect light and serves as the perfect setting.

When natural sunlight may be scarce or inconsistent, artificial grow lights come to the rescue. They can either supplement or entirely substitute sunlight, ensuring that the plant receives all the exposure it needs.

When cultivating an Orbifolia indoors, one must remain vigilant against pests that are particularly attracted to this type of plant.

Imagine this scenario. You've nurtured your Calathea Orbifolia with utmost care, only to find it besieged by pests. Pests are not only unsightly, but they also cause problems for the plant such as stunted growth and leaf damage.

From spider mites to mealybugs, aphids to fungus gnats - each one leaves unique signs hinting at their unwelcome presence.

The initial step to protect plants is through regular inspections for pest or disease symptoms. If surveillance fails, using tried and tested pesticides or beneficial bugs is necessary.

Calathea Orbifolia plants need a high level of humidity to grow those big luscious leaves. Raising the moisture content in the air is a good way to create a tropical atmosphere indoors, which is important for Calathea Orbifolia.

Grouping your Orbifolia with other plants that thrive in high humidity can help create a microclimate that mimics their natural habitat. This higher humidity promotes vigorous plant growth and supports overall plant well-being.

The size of the pot is often a factor that is not adequately addressed in general plant care.

It's not just about appearance; choosing the right pot size is crucial for controlling root growth and preventing problems like root binding (the plant being root-bound). The plant will actually let you know that it is time for a repot.

My Calathea Orbifolia leaves developed brown and yellow edges and had slowed growth when it became root-bound. Repotting my large plant was not easy! See how I did it on this YouTube video.

Growing my Calathea Orbifolia from a tiny plant to the plant it has become today has brought me great challenges and great joy. Calatheas are probably misunderstood as most of us think and believe that it is impossible to care for them, but one thing this plant has taught me is that consistent effort and understanding of what a plant needs will always win the day.

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