Jungle Velvet Calathea Care And Propagation Guide

Jungle Velvet Calathea is one of the rarest flowering plants. This flowering plant is an evergreen perennial plant and it belongs to the Calathea family which is known as the prayer-plants.

It is believed to add some classy greenery to outdoor and indoor gardens. In ideal surroundings, this plant can grow up to 3-4 feet, and just like every tropical plant, you need to learn the right way to propagate and care for it.

The process of propagating plants is a way to help increase the number of plants of a particular species or cultivar. Calatheas are just like every indoor tropical plant and they are very easy to care for however they are also very fussy tropical plants and they can be very difficult to care for since their natural environment is not the same as your home.

There are key techniques you want to be aware of before propagating any plant and they are simple layering, stem cutting, leaf cuttings, and air layering. You can propagate the calathea plant by water but it is not the best option for it.

Jungle Velvet Calathea plant is a tropical flowering plant that will reward your garden and interior decor if its care is personalized. It is worlds away from its natural habitat. Hence, this article contains all you should know about Jungle velvet calathea, its care guide, and its propagation.

Jungle Velvet Calathea Plant Overview

Jungle velvet calathea is a really stunning plant and it is a species that belongs to the calathea family. it does have stunning tropical plants and the leaves are brilliantly patterned which makes it a great indoor plant for any home decor.

In summary, jungle velvet is one of the most striking varieties of Calathea plants with its exotic velvet foliage with two-toned green tops paired with burgundy colored undersides.

While the beautiful foliage of jungle velvet makes them attractive, they are not exactly easy to care for. Jungle velvet calathea thrives in moist soil so it should be watered when the soil is partially dry. Below is a table that contains the basic needs and information of the jungle velvet calathea plant.

How To Propagate Jungle Velvet Calathea Plant

The jungle velvet calathea plant is actually one of those few tropical plants that will do well in pots. Unfortunately, this plant can’t be propagated from the stem-like most tropical plants but you can do it by seeds or division.

So, not to worry, if you are going to incorporate this tropical plant in your home, below are two ways it can be propagated.

1. Division

Jungle velvet is a fussy plant so the division of the mother plant is the best and easiest way to propagate it.

You will want to make sure you have it divided properly so it can grow with little to no issue. It naturally grows a bundle of roots with stems and leaves growing out of it and you want to make sure it is healthy and big enough before you divide it.

Below are steps to make to divide the mother plant.

• Take the calathea plant out of its pot, and ensure to lift it up carefully to remove the soil from the roots without tugging at the stem and causing damage to your plant
• Next, cut away the dead and damaged parts of the plants and it ensures you see all the sections of the plant properly
• You have to decide how many jungle velvet calathea plants you want and might want to take only one section from each mother plant
• Pot each division of the sections you get in a pot with the right soil pot mix or in freshwater
• The maturity of the root of the section you planted will determine how fast and healthy it grows
• Finally, you can go into the usual care routine for your jungle velvet calathea to grow.

2. Propagate By Seed

Propagating calathea plants from seed will be more difficult to do than the division process and it does take a long while for your plant to germinate but it is not impossible. To propagate by seed, you can mix a 1:1 ratio of soil mix with peat and coarse sand.

Fill this inside a small planter and you can plant your seeds in them.

You have to place the pot with the plastic bag in a place that receives enough bright sunlight to aid its growth. The heat from sunlight help process fast germination and it can be transplanted to a larger pot when it starts to grow. Keep the soil moist.

Jungle Velvet Calathea Care Guide

Calathea warscewiczii houseplant enjoys certain conditions if you want it to grow properly. The plant’s active leaves respond more to the right light and temperature and the key to avoiding it drying out is to provide it with the right amount of water but not too much so it doesn’t become waterlogged.

Here is a full care guide for your jungle velvet tropical plant.

1. Watering

Jungle velvet calathea plants require moderate watering, unlike other tropical plants. The best time to water it is only when the potting mix is partially dry or it is best to have it watered on schedule. The root system is very fragile to water and typically watering tropical houseplants too will often lead to root rot.

Allow all the excess water to drip out then you can water it.

This plant is a very high maintenance houseplant so you have to keep a close eye on it. If the soil is left to stay dry for too long, it can damage the root as well. During the warm season, water it when the top soil dries out. Be sure it has adequate drainage and ensure to water enough at all times but not too much.

2. Soil

The choice of soil for your calathea plant is very vital and this is because you need a soil composition that can hold water properly.

The best soil combination for the jungle velvet calathea plant is a mix of one part perlite or two parts peat or coir, this holds in water well. For additional nourishment, organic amendments can be added to the soil. Also, peats break down and the extra organic amendments can help make up for lost nutrients.

3. High Humidity

If you are going Calathea warscewiczii outdoor then it definitely needs high humidity to thrive. As earlier stated, it is a fussy plant so it will need humidity higher than what most homes can offer and they grow best with at least 50% humidity.

So, you can get a low-cost hygrometer to give it 50% humidity or you can make a pebble humidifying tray.

You have to give calathea houseplants enough space and air circulation to enable them to grow. You can also use distilled water to spray a fine mist on the leaves, in addition, you can have it placed in a bright bathroom to give it steamy showers sometimes.

4. Temperature

Warm temperature is what calathea needs to stay healthy. It usually enjoys the warmer end of the spectrum but will do fine planted in warm temperatures indoors. You have to protect it from drafts and warm air flow in winter and the best way to do that is to make sure it is not placed near a heating duct or hot radiator.

With the right amount of humidity, it can tolerate 90ºF (32ºC) but it definitely prefers 65 to 85ºF (18-29ºC). In summer, keep it away from cold air conditioning or open windows and doors. It’s a tender tropical plant so it won’t appreciate any sudden temperature change.

5. Fertilizer Requirements

Growing healthy tropical flowering plants might be a high maintenance plant but it doesn’t require much fertilizer. You can choose to feed it once a month during its growing season and it will do just fine. If the growing conditions are suitable for it then it will grow and flower just fine.

6. Pruning

Calathea plants can grow really big and just like tropical houseplants, they will need some pruning. You can’t train it as a topiary shrub but you can shape it to remove old and damaged leaves. Pruning is a great way to let new foliage grow.

Simple prune with a pair of shape sterilized shears and use in cutting the base of the leaf where the stalk meets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Jungle velvet calathea plants don’t like having their roots disturbed so that is one of the vital things you should keep in mind when caring for or propagating them.

This houseplant should also be big enough before you re-pot so the root is strong enough to withstand it. Note that intense bright sunlight can also bleach jungle velvet calathea plants so it is very important to keep a close eye on them.

Keep reading:

• Calathea Orbifolia Care And Propagation Made Easy
• Calathea Genus: Varieties, Propagation, And Care Guide
• 10 Low Light Indoor Plants For Your Home
• Stromanthe Triostar Care And Propagation Made Easy