This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.
Calathea Medallion is a plant that catches your eye immediately. Their stunning foliage and large leaves makes a great addition to any home under the right care conditions.
Calathea Medallion care directions.
- Water. Calathea Medallion prefer to be kept moist. When it’s time to water, water thoroughly and let the water drain through the draining hole. Do not let this plant fully dry out.
- Light. This plant prefers to be in bright indirect light without any direct sunlight hitting the leaves. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. A great spot would be near a south, east, or west facing window.
- Fertilizer. Fertilizer during growing season and pause during the dormant (winter) months. Fertilize using half-strength.
- Humidity. This is a tropical plant that thrives in high humidity. Anything below 40% and your plant will start looking like mine in the picture below.
Make sure your Calathea Medallion thrives in its new home with these tips.
Light
Calathea Medallion thrive in medium sunlight. Do not put this plant in a spot that gets direct sunlight, this will scorch the leaves and turn those beautiful rich green leaves into a brown mess.
This plant can survive in low light settings, but you may find it grows slower or it’s not as healthy looking. I find when plants get the sunlight they desire, they are much easier to care for and can even withstand a little bit of neglect.
If you don’t have sufficient sunlight in your home, another great option is using plant grow lights. I use T5 Barrina plant grow lights and run them on a timer for 13 hours each day.
Water
Water your Calathea Medallion when the top 2 inches are dry or 1/4 of the plants soil is dry. A good way to test this is by using the finger method and sticking your pointy finger in the soil until it hits the knuckle. If your soil is dry, it’s time to dry. If your soil is wait, check back in a few days.
You can also use a moisture meter to check your plants soil. I find this to be the easiest method of checking soil in hard to reach places like when I have a plant hanging or sitting higher on a shelf.
Calathea Medallion’s are sensitive to the minerals in tap water so be sure to water your plant with filtered water. We have a reverse osmosis system under our kitchen sink that cleans our water for us. It cost $200 on Amazon and is well worth it as our water tasted disgusting before the system was installed and our houseplants get to benefit as well.
When watering your Calathea Medallion, water thoroughly and make sure water is dripping out of the pot at the bottom. If your planter does not have a drainage hole, switch pots or create a draining home with a drill. This plant needs good drainage.
Soil
Make sure your soil mix is well aerated by using perlite, coco coir or orchid bark.
I keep things super basic in my house by using a soil mixture of 3 parts all purpose potting soil and 1 part perlite. I don’t even measure, I just eyeball everything and throw it into a large pot and mix. My houseplants are alive and thriving, so that’s all I’ll say about that.
If you don’t want to make your own potting mix, you can use pre-made mix like Fox Farm Ocean Forest. This mix contains a blend of high quality ingredients perfect for any houseplant.
Temperature
Calathea Medallion do well in any home that is between temperatures of 60 degrees F to 90 degrees (15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius).
Fertilizer
Fertilize your plant when it’s in its active growing season and hungry for those nutrients. Make sure to follow the directions on whichever houseplant fertilizer you choose.
Many indoor gardeners use half the amount of strength the instructions call for as many of these synthetic fertilizers are quite strong. You do not have to worry about diluting your fertilizer if using an organic fertilizer because NPK ratios are much lower.
I use Earth Medicine’s Organic Microbial Fertilizer. It’s a slow release granule fertilizer that you sprinkle over the top of your plants soil. You simply follow the instructions on the bottle and it will tell you how much to sprinkle in for each houseplant size. I find that this fertilizer isn’t harsh like many fertilizers so if I put a extra fertilizer in this doesn’t hurt my plants.
Like all houseplants, stop fertilizing in the winter when the plant is not actively growing. Where I live, my houseplants are growing year-round so I feed my plants fertilizer year-round.
Humidity
Calathea Medallions thrive on high humidity and you’ll quickly know if it’s not getting the humidity it desires. If your plant has crispy leaves, it needs more humidity. These plants prefer humidity above 50%.
This plant will be very sad under 50% so I simply wouldn’t purchase this plant if you cannot give it at least 50% humidity. If you have a terrarium, your Calathea Medallion will probably love you.
If you want this plant but need to find ways to increase the humidity in your home, use the following tips.
- Put high humidity plants together in a group. When you group high humidity plants around each other, this creates a humid microclimate. The plants will continue to release moisture around each other through transpiration.
- Place a pebble tray underneath your high humidity plants. I purchased small rocks at a hardware store and placed them on a planter tray. Place your planter on the tray. Put enough water in the tray until it hits the planter bottom and the water will evaporate around the plant.
- Get a high-quality humidifier and run it daily near your houseplants.
- Mist your plants. Some people say this doesn’t help, but I think it does so I continue to do it.
- Place high-humidity plants in your bathroom. I place certain high humidity plants in my shower and they’re thriving.
Propagation
The best way to propagate a Calathea plant is by root division. Simply divide the plant into different sections and repot into appropriate soil. Water the plants well and place them in medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Calathea Medallion Common Questions
Are Calathea Medallion rare?
You can find this houseplant almost anywhere including big box stores, Etsy, houseplant stores, Facebook Marketplace, and local Facebook houseplant groups.
How much is a Calathea Medallion?
Depending on the size and maturity of the plant, you will pay $20+. I purchased a large Calathea Medallion for about $16 at a big box store.
How do you care for Calathea Medallion?
To make sure your Calathea Medallion thrives, place it in bright or medium indirect sunlight near your other high humidity plants. This tropical plant prefers to stay moist, so don’t let it dry out.
This plant thrives on higher humidity so you may find that you want to put it into a terrarium. Many people also put this plant in their bathroom (which is where I moved mine) to get higher humidity.
Should you mist Calathea Medallion?
To increase humidity around your plant, you can mist the Calathea Medallion. I mist my plant every day.
How do I keep Calathea Medallion happy?
The most important thing for the Calathea Medallion is high humidity. Without it, the plant gets shriveled up into brown crispy leaves and eventually dries.
Where should I place my Calathea Medallion?
Place your Calathea Medallion in medium to bright indirect sunlight. Never put this plant in direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. You can even put your Calathea Medallion in a bathroom for higher humidity. I currently have my Calathea in the shower.
Do Calatheas like bathrooms?
Yes because of the higher humidity. If your bathroom gets a good amount of indirect sunlight, the bathroom is a great spot for your Calathea Medallion.
This plant needs humidity in the 50%+ range or else it’s going to get crispy and die.
Why are Calatheas difficult?
The Calathea family is known for being difficult. I find the Calathea Medallion to be one of my most difficult plants. However, I’ve had a Calathea Rattlesnake for 3+ years and it’s thriving and constantly putting out new leaves.
Should I cut off damaged calathea leaves?
It depends. If you have a Calathea Medallion that has completely brown, crispy leaves, you may want to cut off the leaf. If your plant only has a little bit of crispness on the leaves, don’t worry about it but instead take it as a sign that it needs higher humidity.
Why is my Calathea Medallion dying?
Calatheas are high maintenance and will quickly die if not given the right humidity conditions. Move your plant to higher humidity if you find it’s looking sad.
Should I give my Calathea Medallion shower?
You can definitely give your plant a shower to help clean off the plant. Showers help clean off dust and potential pests from plants.
When there’s too much dust on your Medallion, this makes it harder for the plant to photosynthesis and get the nutrients it needs. The plant will also benefit from the higher humidity in the shower.
Which Calathea is easiest to care for?
The Calathea Rattlesnake is known for being the easiest plant to care for in the Calathea family. I agree with this because I also have a Rattlesnake and it’s one of my easiest plants in my entire house.
How do I know if my Calathea Medallion is healthy?
If your plant is growing, the foliage isn’t crispy and looks full, your plant is most likely healthy.
Do Calathea Medallion need trimming?
This is a plant you rarely need to prune or trim.
Can I grow Calathea Medallion in leca?
If you like growing your plants in leca, this is a great option as the many indoor plant gardeners successfully grow the Calathea Medallion in leca.
When should I repot Calathea Medallion?
You can repot your plant once a year or once very two years. When repotting make sure to repot in a planter only 1-2 inches larger than the current pot size.
Is Calathea Medallion easy to care for?
As long as you give your plant high humidity, medium to bright indirect sunlight, and adequate water, your plant will be easy to care for.
Is Calathea Medallion a fast grower?
Calathea’s are known for being medium to fast growers. My Calathea Rattlesnake is constantly pushing out new growth and every time I look at it up close I see a new leaf unfurling.
How big do Calathea Medallion get?
Indoors, Calathea Medallion’s grow to a maximum height of about two feet tall but they can get quite wide and bushy.
Can Calathea Medallion take full sun?
No and you will find the leaves quickly burn if you decide to put your plant in full sun.
Is Calathea Medallion an indoor plant?
You may find that your Calathea Medallion is much easier to care for when you have it in a setting that you can completely control the humidity, sunlight, and water.
How do I make my Calathea Medallion larger?
There’s nothing you can do to speed up the growing process besides taking care of it properly and letting your plant rest in the dormant season. When it’s time to repot, repot your plant so it can grow even large in its new pot. Fertilize your Calathea using a slow-release granule or half-strength liquid fertilizer.
Why is my Calathea Medallion crispy?
If you do not give your plant adequate humidity conditions, your plant will start looking like this pictured below.
When should I repot Calathea Medallion?
Repot your Calathea Medallion during the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing and not in its dormant season. If you find that your plant is root bound, it is time to repot your plant in a planter 1-2 inches larger than the current planter.
Can I water my plant using tap water?
I’d be very careful to water your Calathea’s with tapster. These plants are ultra sensitive to the minerals and salts found in tap water, so it’s best to use filtered water instead.
Another option is letting tap water sit out for 12 hours before using it to water any of your plants. You can also use rain water.
Is Calathea Medallion toxic to pets?
No, this plant is not toxic to pets. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.
Common pests
Calathea Medallion’s fall prey to pests like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. To combat these pests, regularly check your plants leaves, stems, and soil. Also make sure to clean your plant with either neem oil or a combination or rubbing alcohol and water. I use 6 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. I do this once a month.
To help prevent any pest infestations on your plant, here’s what to do.
- Cut off dead leaves.
- Inspect your plant before purchasing at the plant store. If you’re buying a plant online, inspect your plant away from your other plants.
- Regularly check your plants for pests. This is a great time to clean your plants and enjoy them from up close.
If you find a plant has pests on it, quarantine the plant immediately. Clean the plant with an organic or nonorganic insecticide. I use Bonide Systemic on my plants as a preventative and Captain Jacks to kill pests. I spray the plant and wipe down the leaves and stems twice a week for a month until I know the infestation is gone. Make sure to check all of your other plants as it is easy for pests to spread.
Common issues
Brown tips: If your Calathea Medallion has brown tips, this is most likely due to low humidity or your soil drying out completely. Make sure to keep your plant moist by regular misting and using your finger or a moisture meter to check the soil.
Yellowing leaves: If your Calathea Medallion has yellow leaves, this can be due to the soil getting too dry or too wet.
Curly leaves: If your Calathea Medallion has curling leaves, your plant may be thirsty. Remember to keep this plant moist and don’t let it dry out between waterings.
Key Points To Remember
Your Calathea Medallion will be happy and thrive if you give it adequate humidity and sunlight. The most important care tip about Calathea Medallion is giving it enough humidity. If this plant doesn’t get humidity in the 50%+ range, the leaves will crisp up and die.
This is a stunning houseplant that rewards with beautiful foliage if given the right care. Happy planting!
Read more about houseplants:
- How To Get Free Or Cheap Houseplants
- 15 Creative Ways To Display Houseplants
- How To Build A Self-Sustaining Terrarium
Pin this!
