The Calathea Medallion is a fantastically beautiful choice out of the family of Calathea varieties. The tops of the leaves feature a variety of greens and yellows which are visible during the day. Towards the end of the day, the leaves naturally fold and point upwards and reveal the vivid purple underside of their large leaves. It’s this same movement that gets them the nickname of ‘living’ plants, or prayer plants.
The Medallion is actually a cultivar (breed) of the roseopicta, so technically its full name is the Calathea roseopicta “Medallion“. It originates from the jungle environments in middle and south America and is classified as a tropical house plant.
The Calathea Medallion can be a great indoor plant to buy as can be easy to look after as long as you pay close attention to its humidity requirements. Check out more details on its care below.
Calathea Medallion In The House & Office
The Calathea Medallion plant is sure to make an impression in any home or office space. It will brighten up the environment bring nature inside and offer a natural way to filter air and dust.
Calathea plants can be suited to most indoor spaces but you will need to make sure that you have a place where you can put the houseplant before buying.
With most prayer plants’ origins being the rainforest environment they prefer bright indirect light and high humidity.
To satisfy the lighting requirement in your home or office space try placing the plant around 1.5 metres (5ft) from a north, west or east facing window, and further for a south side window.
You can satisfy the humidity requirements by picking a place naturally high in humidity such as a kitchen or bathroom. Alternatively, you can mist the plant or group plants together. There are more methods in the dedicated section further down.
Calathea Medallion Size
Height: 40-60cm / 16-24in / 1.6-2ft
Spread: 40-50cm / 16-20in / 1.3-1.6ft
Calathea Medallion Care
Light: The Calathea Medallion needs bright indirect light, as its natural environment would be canopied by trees. To achieve this at home you should roughly place your plant within 1.5 metres (5ft) of a north, west or east-facing window. For south-facing windows, you should place the plant over this amount. Be sure not to place your plant in direct sunlight as this can stress the plant and cause leaf burn.
Soil: You should use regular potting soil/compost to plant your Calathea Medallion. It should allow for good soil drainage when watered. If you find that the soil holds water then you may need to swap it or add perlite to the compost mix or even line the bottom of the pot with stones. Alternatively, you can add more or bigger drainage holes to the inner pot.
Watering: Watering of the Calathea roseopicta “Medallion” can be done weekly, although it is always best to check that the plant does need it to prevent overwatering. Use your finger to check if the top inch or 2cm of soil is dry before watering. Alternatively, you can invest in a relatively low-cost moisture meter, which is s more accurate way to tell how wet or dry the potting soil is. Tap water can be used to water that plant although you should try and use filtered or distilled water, especially in hard water areas. Be sure not to let the plant sit in water as this could cause root rot.
Make sure you do not leave the plant sitting in water as it may cause root rot.
Humidity: Humidity is very important for the Calathea medallion as it comes from the rainforest floor where this humid environment occurs. If your home is particularly dry then you may need to give your Medallion a helping hand. Brown leaf tips and edges can be a sign the plant is lacking humidity
An easy way to increase the humidity of your plant is to place it in a more humid one, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Placing within a group of plants is another option. Additionally, a simple method is to regularly mist the plant with water daily. You can also place the pot on top of a tray of wet pebbles or gravel and top it up when needed. Finally, a more expensive method is to use a humidifier.
Feeding: When you feed your Calathea Medalion you should use regular plant feed/fertilizer. You can follow the instructions as per the specific feed. Feeding shouldn’t be done in autumn or winter. Start feeding in spring and throughout summer. Decrease feeding nearing the end of summer and when you notice the plant has no new growth.
Temperature: Your Calthea Medallion will prefer warmer temperatures of around 18-24°C/64-75°F. For most climates, it will need to be an indoor plant. It needs to avoid cold so you should not let the plant see anything below 15°C/59°F.
Ailments: There are a number of pests and common problems that can affect the Calathea Medallion.
Spider mites are one such pest that a lot of Calatheas are prone to get. The mites themselves are very small so it’s likely that you will notice the webbing on the plant and soil before you see the mites themselves due to their small size. The spider mites will damage the leaves and multiply if left unchecked. To get rid of them mix a spray bottle with a couple of drops of dish soap (washing up liquid) or olive oil and the rest water. Spray the leaves until dripping every three days, until all signs of the mites have gone. You can spray a couple of times more just to be certain.
If you note that you’re Calathea is struggling to grow you should check to see if it requires a bigger pot. To check when to do this you should remove the pot and check the roots. If they are up against the edge then the plant will benefit from a bigger one.
Another common problem you may see is browning leaf tips. Unfortunately, if this occurs it’s not reversible, but it is a sign that your plant isn’t receiving enough humidity. You can increase humidity with a number of methods. The easiest is to group plants together or move them to a high-humidity room such as a kitchen or bathroom. A less hands-on approach is to invest in a humidifier but this is costly.
Further care: If you’ve already got your plant home and you want even more on how to look after then be sure to check out our full Calathea Medallion care Guide
Where To Buy Calathea Medallion Online
- Ebay (UK) / (USA)
- Etsy
- Bloombox Club (UK) / (USA)
- Local Facebook Groups
- Other online stores and shops
The Calathea Medalion can be easily purchased online but you should always take some precautions when buying it or any plant online.
When buying online always be sure to read any descriptions in full to avoid any unexpected issues. When looking at pictures always confirm if the plant in the image will be the one you get, and inspect it closely if it is.
Online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay or even online stores often have feedback and reviews. It’s always a good idea to check these out before you buy and ensure others have had a good experience.
When buying online most of the time you’ll have to have your plants shipped or posted to you. In most cases, your plant will arrive fine. However, as it’s a living thing being sent through the mail you can expect a small amount of damage and it may look a little sad on arrival; give it time to adjust. If a plant is damaged excessively and due to poor packaging then you should reach out to the seller to request a refund or replacement. Most online marketplaces have buyer protections that can be used in cases like these.
FAQs
Is Calathea Medallion easy to care for?
The Calathea Medallion is relatively easy to care for, the bright indirect lighting, watering, feeding and temperature are all easy to take care of. The most difficult aspect of the Calathea will be providing it with the right humidity. If the place you have it is too dry then you can mist it with water daily to help it. A less hands-on approach is to use a humidifier.
How often should you water the Calathea Medallion?
The Calathea Medallion should be watered weekly. To prevent overwater you should only water if it’s required. Check to see if the top inch (3cm) of soil is dry with a finger and go from there.
How big can a Calathea Medallion get?
Calathea plants vary in size. The Calathea Medallion can get up to 40-60cm or 16-24in height although it may take years to reach its full size.
Can the Calathea Medallion get flowers?
Yes, the Calathea Medallion can flower which will only happen once per year, if at all. In order to produce flowers, the plant will need to have perfect environmental conditions
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