Calathea crocata is famed for its fiery flowers, hence its nickname of “Eternal Flame”. These plants set the Calathea crocata apart from many other Calathea species, producing a uniquely show-stopping houseplant. This care guide will explore every aspect of caring for a Calathea crocata.
What is a Calathea crocata?
Calathea crocata is native to Brazil and is prized for its orange flame-like flowers. These “Eternal Flame” blooms can last between two and three months, protruding from the tips of the plant’s stems. The foliage is also beautiful, with shiny green leaves that have purple accents. The leaves have a ribbed appearance.
Quick Summary
Botanical Names: Calathea crocata, Goeppertia crocata
Native to: Brazil
Care: Moderate
Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet high
Common Problems: Low humidity, Over exposure to sun, Mealybugs, Spider mites
Toxicity: Not listed as toxic to pets and humans
Plant recommendation read: looking for a tropical plant, then view the confident Amazonian elephant’s ear.
How to care for Calathea crocata
Sunlight
Calathea crocata plants are happiest with moderate indirect sunlight in a well-lit space. If a Calathea crocata is subjected to too much direct solar exposure, the foliage will start to fade and even burn.
Watering
Calathea crocata should be watered about once per week during. A good rule of thumb is to give them a drink if the upper inch of the growing medium feels dry. Scale this back to a fortnightly watering in the dormant winter season.
Always use rainwater or distilled water to water a Calathea crocata. These plants react badly to other water conditions.
Humidity & Temperature
Calathea crocata plants need humid growing conditions and a room temperature that consistently remains at 65 to 80ºF (18 to 26.5ºC) during the growing season and a minimum of 60ºF (15.5ºC) in the colder months.
These plants need a stable temperature environment, and sudden drops could result in health problems. Cold or dry air drafts from windows and radiators should also be avoided.
Humidity levels need to stay at around 60%. Regularly misting the leaves helps maintain these levels, but remember to avoid misting the flowers as this will spoil their blooms. For the best humidity, keep the Calathea crocata in a steamy bathroom.
Cleaning
Use a slightly damp cloth or wipe to clear dust away from the impressive leaves of a Calathea crocata. Dust can build up rapidly if neglected.
Fertilizing & Soil
Calathea crocata needs a nutrient-rich but well-draining growing medium. A 3:1 mix of houseplant potting mix and coconut coir or wood fiber is a good foundation.
To encourage bountiful blooms and bushy foliage, a Calathea crocata should be fed a half-strength dose of fertilizer once each month in the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing in the winter while the Calathea crocata is dormant.
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Repotting
Calathea crocata plants can reach a fully mature size of 1 or 2 feet in about a year. To prevent the plant from being held back, it should be repotted once every year or two. Repotting is best performed near the start of the growing season towards the end of spring or the beginning of summer.
Only move up one or two pot sizes during each repotting to avoid overwhelming the plant. To get the Calathea crocata settled, use a similar growing medium and rootball depth as it had in its previous pot.
Propagation
Calathea crocata plants grow in clumps that are held together by fibrous rhizomes. To propagate an (Calathea crocata) Eternal Flame, small clumps must be separated from the main plant and potted up individually. The best time to do this is in the early stages of the growing season such as the end of June.
Lift the parent plant out and tease the roots apart. Select a clump that has some of its own roots and a few healthy leaves and ease it away from the main plant. These divided plants should be given the same growing medium as the parent plant.
Toxicity
Calathea crocata plants are not listed as toxic to either humans or pets such as cats and dogs.
Pruning
More pruning may be required for Calathea crocata than some other species. When the spectacular flowers are finally spent, deadhead them by pruning them at the tip of the stem. Any dying or diseased foliage should be removed immediately.
If some leaves start to show brown or shriveled edges, these can be trimmed using scissors to preserve the rest of the leaf. When removing a whole leaf, make the cut where the bottom of the leaf meets the stem.
Related reads: Neon Pothos care guide
Pests and other common problems
Low humidity
Calathea crocatas can be fussy when it comes to humidity. The conditions need to be stable or the plant will suffer. Not enough humidity can result in the foliage shriveling up. Mist the plant every couple of days and use methods such as a pebble tray or grouping with other plants to increase the humidity.
Overexposure to sun
Being exposed to the intense rays of direct sunlight can overwhelm Calathea crocata. The color of the foliage will start to fade and the edges of the leaves may begin to burn. Move the plant into a shadier spot or use some net curtains to diffuse the sunlight.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small creatures that target plants. They survive by siphoning sap from stems and can produce a waste product called mildew. This appears as a waxy white discharge on leaves. Remove infected leaves to halt the infestation. If this doesn’t work, deploy some organic pesticides.
Spider mites
Spider mites also extract sap from plant stems, leaving behind tendrils of web-like material underneath the leaves. Spotted or yellowed leaves are another sign of spider mites. Prune away contaminated foliage and use organic pest control products if the problem continues.
Related reads: Learn about Heart Leaf Fern care
Common FAQs
Are Calathea crocata plants difficult?
Calathea crocata plants can be demanding, even by the standards of other Calatheas. The most vital aspect is to ensure correct levels of humidity and temperature. The plant should be exposed to temperatures of 65 to 80ºF and humid conditions of around 60%.
Should I mist my Calathea crocata?
Misting helps to temporarily increase humidity around a Calathea crocata and should be done every couple of days. Avoid misting the flowers or risk getting soggy blooms.
How do you make a Calathea crocata so bushy?
Providing the ideal temperature and humidity conditions mentioned above stimulates bushy Calathea crocata growth. Pruning spent foliage and flowers also encourages the plant to keep filling out with new shoots.
Should I cut brown leaves off my Calathea crocata?
If a Calathea crocata isn’t getting enough humidity, its impressive leaves may start to brown. If this is confined to the edge of a leaf, the edge can be carefully snipped off. Foliage that has turned entirely brown and withered can be removed.
How long does it take a Calathea crocata to reach full growth?
Calathea crocata typically take around a year or so to reach their mature size of 1 to 2 feet.
How do you grow Calathea crocata indoors?
The most important requirement when growing a Calathea crocata indoors is adequate humidity and temperature. A well-draining but nutrient-rich soil mix is also needed to encourage the beautiful orange blooms. The plant should be kept away from direct sun exposure.
