How to Grow and Take Care of a White Fusion Calathea Plant

White Fusion Calathea (Calathea lietzei) refers to tropical houseplants famous for the bold white markings on their green leaves. They are also known as zebra, peacock, or rattlesnake plants due to their decorative leaves resembling these animals’ characteristics. The leaf underside has a magenta hue that goes down to the stems. While their care can be more particular than other houseplants, if you get it right, you will get an elegant display of foliage that grows quickly and profusely. Here is an exclusive review on how to grow and take care of a white fusion calathea plant.

White Fusion Calathea Care

White Fusion Calathea are relatively specific when it comes to their care requirements. The ideal growing conditions for this plant include:

Soil

White Fusion Calathea grows well in a well-draining, standard houseplant potting mix. You can consider adding peat moss, perlite, or orchid bark to boost proper drainage and avoid soggy soil. Additionally, you can use the standard violet African potting mix to grow the plant, as it drains excess water and retains moisture.

Light

Finding the ideal light level for your plant is one of the most critical care elements for White Fusion Calathea. Exposing the plant to the wrong light levels might result in poor development of the variegation on the plant. The plant grows best in filtered bright light. Excess light can cause the leaf markings to fade and the leaves to curl. On the other hand, the insufficient shade will make the markings not develop properly.

Water

The White Fusion Calathea plant does good in consistently moist soil. Waterlogged and soggy conditions might result in a disaster. According to Plantshed, overly wet soils can cause root rot and other fungal or bacterial problems. You should hence ensure the pot has sufficient drainage holes. Water the plant thoroughly, but ensure the water drains out the bottom without pooling in the collection plate. When the topsoil inch is dry, your plant requires more water. In the summer, you will need to water the plant more regularly, like once a week.

Temperature And Humidity

White Fusion Calathea prefers warm and humid temperatures, but they should not be extreme. White Fusion Calathea does best between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Ansel & Ivy, White Fusion Calathea likes high humidity of 75% or over, offering the best results. You should avoid placing your calathea plant near a heater that can dry up moisture in the air. On the other hand, you can increase the humidity by using a small humidifier, keeping the houseplants together, or in a tray with water and pebbles that will evaporate with time.

Fertilizer

Feed the plant with a mild liquid fertilizer once per month during the growing season. Don’t add fertilizer during the winter. White Fusion Calathea is a tropical and dense foliage houseplant; hence prefers nitrogen-rich fertilizers. However, a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer will do just fine.

Pruning And Maintenance

Pruning plays a significant role in encouraging a bushier appearance. The best time to prune the plant is during the growing season in the summer and spring to enhance fast recovery. Calatheas don’t need a lot of pruning; you only need to trim any damaged, curled, or browned leaves at the stem.

Repotting The White Fusion Calathea Plant

It is recommended to repot the white fusion Calathea plant once in a year or every two years. Calathea plants experiencing rootbound are prone to fungal infections that risk killing the plant. Every time you repot the plant, ensure that you use a one-inch or two-inch larger pot than the previous. Also, you should repot the plant in early summer or spring during its active growing season. Before repotting, water it thoroughly a day or to reduce the stress on the plant.

Calathea White Propagation

Unlike most common houseplants, Calatheas are not often propagated through cuttings since these cuttings do not have nodes to trigger the roots to grow. The White Fusion Calathea is commonly propagated by division or from seeds. According to Spruce, the best time to propagate the plant is during vigorous growth in spring or summer.

Propagation By Division

This propagation method is done with a mature White Fusion Calathea plant. When preparing the plant for propagation, water your plant well several days before the time to decrease the shock of the process.

• Gently remove the White Fusion Calathea plant from the pot and tenderly shake off the soil to inspect the whole root system.
• Start by untangling any roots and shaking off the remaining soil.
• Inspect the roots closely to establish the natural divisions of the plant.
• Once you establish the spot, separate the sections gently. Use sterilized garden shears to remove any entangled roots.
• Repot all the separated sections into new pots filled with the same soil they were previously potted.
• It takes about two to four weeks for the repotted plants to settle.

Growing From Seeds

While growing Calathea White Fusion from seeds is possible, the seeds are relatively hard to come by. However, use a well-draining potting soil or a moistened seed starting mix if you have the seeds. Plant these seeds about a quarter-inch deep. Cover this container with a plastic wrap to increase humidity and maintain appropriate soil moisture. If the soil requires warming, use heating to accelerate germination. Place the pot in a bright location that receives indirect sunlight. The seeds might take up to a month for the seeds to sprout. Once the seedling grows to about one inch tall, carefully lift the sprout, ensuring the root structure is intact. Replant it into a larger container that is at least more than 2-inches.

Unhealthy Plant Signs

Spotted or curling leaves indicate the plant is not receiving sufficient water. Browning leaves also show that the plant requires a more humid climate. Cold weather or over-watering can result in limp and rotten stems. During winter, you should start watering the plant less regularly. A fading leaf color means the plant receives excess direct sunlight. Ensure to cut off the crispy, brown, or damaged leaves to maintain the plant healthy and neat.