| Scientific Name | Calathea anulque |
| Sun Exposure | Indirect or filtered bright light |
| Soil pH | 6.5 |
| Watering Requirement | When the top inch is dry |
| Hardiness Zone | 11-12 USDA |
| Plant Height | 2 Feet |
| Plant Width | 2 Feet |
Having its natural home in Ecuador makes Calathea Anulque a little different than other Calathea plants that are native to the Brazilian rainforest. Calathea Anulque is a low growing jungle plant that gets its light filtered through the tree canopy. It enjoys a very humid environment and likes to be warm.
The foliage of Calathea Anulque is rich dark green with ghost white stripes dappled along the center stem and streaking out to the edges of the leaves. The underside of the leaves can vary from a medium plum color to deep blush pink.
The leaves grow on individual stems that grow from the base of the Calathea Anulque.
Calathea Anulque is a member of the Marantaceae family, a family of prayer plants that close their leaves in the dark and open them up again in the light.
What are the benefits of keeping Calathea Anulque?
Plants create a sense of peace and happiness in a room, keeping Calathea Anulque could help boost your mood. It’s also an air purifier. Calathea Anulque filters pollutants out of the air so you’re breathing is fresher and healthier.
Calathea Anulque Care
There are some extra care needs when it comes to Calathea Anulque. They require consistently high humidity, warm temperatures, and a specific watering schedule. They’re not very forgiving when they’re neglected so it’s best to follow care instructions carefully.
Caring for Calathea Anulque as an indoor plant
The container you plant your Calathea Anulque in should have at least one drainage hole. Place your plant near a north-facing window where there are no drafts. Make sure your Calathea Anulque is away from heating and cooling vents.
Caring for Calathea Anulque as an outdoor plant
If you’re planning to have your Calathea Anulque outdoors, make sure the humidity in the climate you live in is appropriate for Calathea Anulque’s needs. Plant your Calathea Anulque in a partial sun spot where it can receive light filtered through treetops. Be sure the soil will retain moisture but will not be too wet. Don’t have your Calathea Anulque outside when temperatures reach below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Light requirement
The very best place to have your Calathea Anulque is near a north-facing window. This usually provides the perfect amount of brightness and light for your Calathea Anulque. If this is not possible, the goal you’re trying to achieve is bright indirect sunlight so there are a few things you can try. Have your Calathea Anulque off to the side of an east-facing window, or use a sheer curtain to filter the sunlight on a west or south-facing window.
Soil Type & pH
One way to ensure healthy soil for Calathea Anulque is to use African violet mix. If your heart is set on creating a soil mix yourself, try a recipe of one part potting soil with two parts peat moss and one part perlite. The outcome should be light soil that retains some moisture but doesn’t stay soggy.
The best pH for Calathea Anulque is 6.5
Watering
Water your Calathea Anulque when the top inch of soil is dry. Give it a good drink and let the water drain out of the bottom drain hole, then remove any leftover water from the plant tray to avoid having your Calathea Anulque sitting in water.
Do not use regular tap water when watering your Calathea Anulque. There are minerals in the water that Calathea Anulque is sensitive to. Use rainwater, distilled water, or allow tap water to sit out for 12 to 24 hours so the chlorine and fluoride can dissipate.
Humidity
Calathea Anulque likes to live in a moist and steamy environment. The ideal humidity for them is above 60%. Some simple ways to achieve this are to mist your plant every 1-2 days, place a small humidifier nearby, (in this case it will make sense to group your humidity loving plants together to take advantage of the vapor), or place your Calathea Anulque in the bathroom to take advantage of the shower steam.
Temperature
An ambient temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for Calathea Anulque. Try to keep the temperature consistent as they are not fond of fluctuations.
Hardiness Zone
The best hardiness zone for Calathea Anulque is 11-12 USDA
Fertilization
Lightly fertilize your Calathea Anulque during its growing season (spring and summer). Use a general indoor plant liquid fertilizer, dilute it to half of the recommended amount in water, and water your plant. Feed your Calathea Anulque every 4 weeks from April to September. Cease fertilizing in the fall and winter.
Propagation
Gather clean containers, fresh soil, and a sterilized cutting instrument.
Gently uproot your Calathea Anulque and shake the extra soil off its roots. Separate three to five stems and their corresponding roots from the parent plant. Slice the root ball making sure roots and stems stay together in the cut.
Plant the parent plant and the new propagation in individual pots with fresh soil. Watch your Calateha Anulque for signs of shock. Once new growth starts to appear you know your plant is rooting successfully.
Calathea Anulque Size & Growth Rate
Size and growth rate of course depend on care and environment, but a well cared for Calateh Anulque in an environment enriched for its needs will grow to be 2 feet tall moderately fast.
Common Pests and Diseases
If pests are going to bother your Calateha Aulque they will most likely be mealy bugs and red spider mites.
Mealy bugs are sometimes difficult to find because they like to hide in the crevasses and undersides of Calathea Aulque. Check your Calathea Anulque cottony-looking areas, this is where the mealybugs have attached themselves to your plant and are sucking out the life-juice.
To remedy the situation, shower your plants with water to remove as many mealybugs as you can, you may need to wipe them with a clean sponge or gently scrape the plant with a credit card.
Follow up with neem oil.
If your plants are turning yellow or getting sickly-looking spots you may have a spider mite invasion. Spider mites are attracted to dry soils so making sure your Calathea Anulque stays moist is a good way to prevent them. If prevention is not an option anymore, shower your Calathea Anulque to remove the spider mites and follow up with neem oil. Repeat every 7 to 10 days as needed.
Leaves curling
Curling leaves is a good indication that your Calathea Anulque is not getting enough water.
Give it a good drink, let it drain, and then maintain watering it when the top inch of soil is dry.
Leaves turning yellow
Too much direct sunlight is what causes yellow leaves on a Calathea Anulque. Try moving it away from the window or using a sheer curtain to filter the light.
Leaves with brown edges
If the leaves on your Calathea Anulque are turning brown around the edges, this means there is not enough humidity for it. Try moving your Calathea Anulque to the bathroom where it can get humidity from the shower steam or set up a small humidifier near your plant.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves are a sign that your Calathea Anulque has been overwatered. Make sure the drain holes in your pot are not clogged. Let your Calathea Anulque dry out for a while.
Plant dying
If your plant is dying there is a good chance it has root rot. The best way to cure root rot is to prevent it in the first place by not overwatering.
However, if you are already in the thick of it, try repotting your Calathea Anulque after cutting away the damaged roots.
How to Repot Calathea Anulque
Carefully uproot your Calathea Anulque and shake the extra soil from its roots. Replant your Calathea Anulque in a new clean larger container with drain holes and fresh soil. Watch for signs of shock.
Does Calathea Anulque move at night?
Calathea Anulque is a member of the Marantaceae family, also known as the prayer plant family. Prayer plants close up their leaves at night in a fashion that imitates praying hands. They do this to conserve energy. They reopen in the morning to soak up sunlight.
Is Calathea Anulque safe for pets?
Calathea Anulque is safe for cats and dogs. They are a non-toxic plant.