The Calathea crocata, also known as the Eternal Flame plant, got its name because of its yellow flowers that bloom mostly in the summer.
It’s also regarded as a prayer plant because of how it reacts to light. Given its photophilic characteristic, the plant’s leaves fold up during low light hours. It opens again during the daytime to let in as much sunlight as possible.
Though native to Brazil and tropical America, it’s quite difficult to find this plant in the wild today. So, if you want to learn how to propagate Calathea crocata in your own home, this article is for you.
How Do I Propagate Calathea Crocata?
Calathea plants are usually propagated using a process called division. This guide will take you through the items you’ll need, how to prepare your plant, and the process itself.
What Do I Need to Propagate Calathea Crocata?
Before beginning the process, make sure to prepare your pots first. Use ones with sufficient drainage holes.
You can use coffee filters to line the bottom of the pots. This will prevent loose soil from falling through.
To separate the roots you plan to propagate, you may use a small, sterile knife if it’s too difficult to do it by hand.
If you plan to propagate Calathea plants from seeds, you’ll need smaller pots or a propagation tray. You also need a cover for the tray or you can use clear plastic if you don’t have one. If the environment isn’t consistently warm enough, you may make use of a heated seedling mat as well.
How Do I Prepare Calathea Crocata for Propagation?
On the day before you plan to propagate your Calathea crocata, make sure to water thoroughly. This will decrease the chances of stressing out the plant when it’s time to divide and repot it.
Prepare the new pots before removing the plant from its original one. Fill the new pots with soil up to the halfway point and then water them.
How Do I Propagate Calathea Crocata Through Division?
First, identify the healthiest leaves as these will make the best candidates for propagation. Each division should have about three to four stems and at least one healthy leaf to ensure that it’ll survive.
After removing the main plant from its pot, shake off the excess soil. You may then proceed to separate the roots for each section.
You can untangle the roots with just your hands or use a small blade to divide the root ball. The blade should be newly washed to prevent the spreading of infections between your plants.
Once you’ve got your sections, it’s time to repot your plants. Make sure the potting mix is well-drained, then plant each section as deep as they were growing in the original pot.
This is because when some plants (like the Calathea crocata) are planted too deep into the soil, they may develop root rot.
Backfill your pot with more soil then water it evenly until it’s moist. Make sure not to overwater your newly repotted Calathea plant.
The new section may grow slower than your original plant. That’s because it needs time to grow its roots before sprouting new leaves and flowers.
How Do I Propagate Calathea Crocata From Seed?
It’s also possible to grow your own Calathea plants from seeds, but they’re more difficult to source than a parent plant. Your best bet is to find seeds from a reliable supplier online as most local stores may not have them in stock.
When you have your seeds, prepare your small pots or propagation trays with a commercial seed starter potting mix. Another option for a potting mix is a combination of peat moss and coarse sand in equal parts.
In case you’re using a tray, moisten the soil before placing it inside so that the water can drain out first. Once you’ve got your soil in, plant the seeds about ⅓ of an inch deep.
You may also sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil. Then, sprinkle more soil to cover them. Just make sure they’re buried under the same depth.
Cover the pots with clear plastic or the trays with their own covers. This will keep the seedlings warm and humid. If you need to use a heated seedling mat, keep the temperature to about 70℉.
Place them in an area where they’ll get enough indirect sunlight and remember to keep the soil moist.
You can transplant them into their own pots once the seedlings have grown about 1 to 1½ inches tall. The roots will still be rather delicate at this point so be careful while handling them.
FAQs
Can I Propagate Calathea Crocata From Cuttings?
It’s not possible to propagate Calathea crocata from stem or leaf cuttings. That’s because stems can’t grow new roots for a separate plant to sprout.
When Should I Propagate Calathea Crocata?
When propagating Calathea plants through division, it’s best to do it when you’re planning to repot the plant during late spring or early summer. This will reduce the time the plant spends out of the pot.
How Do I Ensure Successful Propagation of Calathea Crocata?
The best way to make sure that your Calathea plant will grow successfully is to check if the mother plant is healthy first.
Any signs of root rot and other plant diseases might mean that your sapling won’t survive for long.
Before planting any new section for propagation, make sure to cut away any sick or brown roots. Make sure only your plant’s healthiest roots are left.
Final Thoughts – Before You Go
Once you’ve learned how to propagate Calathea crocata, you’ll find that it’s not so difficult to keep them healthy.
Calathea plants only need to be watered about every week, and usually only need to be repotted every one or two years.
With its vibrant flowers and foliage, this plant makes a beautiful addition to any home. It’s even non-toxic so you can be comfortable having them, even with pets and children around!
