How Do You Take Care Of A Ctenanthe Exotica?

How do you take care of a Ctenanthe Exotica?

Ctenanthe Exotica is a rapidly growing calathea that would delight any plant parent. Its bright green leaves are accented by dark green stripes that set it apart from the crowd. They flourish in the following environments.

Sunlight Requirements

The Ctenanthe Exotica loves shade or indirect sunlight. It may live in low light settings but should not be placed in direct sunlight.

Many people are surprised since the calathea exotica is a tropical plant, yet it grows naturally on the forest floor beneath the tree canopy.

Too much sun will cause the leaves to droop, and the sun may sear the foliage.

Watering requirements

Watering is one of the most critical components of Ctenanthe Exotica maintenance.

This plant has special water requirements that you must adhere to in order to avoid root rot or salt damage.

This tropical beauty requires constant moisture in the soil and is a thirsty plant. Soak the soil until no dry pockets remain before watering your plant.

Soil requirements

The Ctenanthe Exotica likes soil that can retain a lot of water. It can live in most potting mixes, but it thrives in peat-based compost with a pH range of about 6.5.

Because it is a long-lived plant, you should consider repotting it every year or two to renew the soil and ensure it has adequate room. Use a container with a drainage hole as well.

Temperature requirements

Despite being native to the Amazon jungle, the Never Never Plant can live, and even thrive, in lower temperatures.

If you reside in a region with relatively cold summers, your plant should be OK as long as the temperatures stay above 55°F (13°C).

This plant will adapt to regular interior temperatures because it prefers temperatures ranging from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity requirements

Because humidity is essential for this plant’s survival, we recommend misting it frequently or using a pebble tray to enhance humidity.

Fertilizers requirements

Ctenanthe Exotica will benefit from monthly fertilization from spring through summer. We recommend diluting a regular houseplant fertilizer by about half when fertilizing.

Why are my Ctenanthe Exotica Leaves curling?

Ctenanthe Exotica are temperamental and outspoken plants that prefer to show their displeasure in a variety of ways.

Curling Ctenanthe Exotica leaves indicate that something is amiss with your plant. If you can figure out what’s wrong and get your calathea to relax, the leaves will unfold and your plant will look normal and healthy again.

The curling of Ctenanthe Exotica leaves is an indication of plant dryness and a method used by the plant to limit water loss.

Leaf curling is most usually caused by underwatering, low humidity, or excessive heat, but it can also be caused by root damage caused by root rot, over fertilization, or disease.

Ctenanthe Exotica are picky plants, but when given the proper care, they react incredibly rapidly.

Remove your plant from direct sunlight. Ctenanthe Exotica despises direct sunshine; excessive exposure permanently damages its leaves. Move them away from the window, but leave enough ambient light for them to absorb.

Change the temperature of the room. Ctenanthe Exotica thrive in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 29 degrees Celsius).

Check the temperature in the area where your Ctenanthe Exotica is located, not simply the room temperature.

Increase the humidity in the surroundings. The most prevalent cause of Calathea leaf curling is a lack of humidity.

Change your watering routine. The soil of your Ctenanthe Exotica should be kept wet at all times, but it should never be left standing in water. Keep a tight eye on your watering practices to find the optimum balance.

Use distilled water instead. Hard water with a high concentration of salt or other minerals is hazardous to your Calathea. For a healthy plant, consider utilizing bottled water or rainfall.

Why is my Ctenanthe Exotica dying?

There are many inputs and outputs in a Calathea Exotica’s life, so if you are experiencing any problems with your Ctenanthe Exotica, think about all it does for you.

As a houseplant, Ctenanthe is appreciated for its beauty and longevity as well as its hardiness. As a parent of the Calathea, you should certainly expect the best from your plant.

However, some of Ctenanthe’, needs may not be met to your satisfaction.

Overwatering is a common problem and may easily be avoided by simply checking the soil from time to time.

Overwatering does result in root rot, and so it’s not really a problem your plant can get rid of on its own, but over water and you’ll find that your Ctenanthe Exotica will start to die quite rapidly.

Overwatering also results in root rot. Another cause of death is root rot, a disease caused by excessive moisture or root damage due to improper watering habits.

Too much lights is another major reason for death. These tropical plants thrive in shade, so perhaps you can give it a little more leeway as far as the light goes.

A common cause of death is lack of humidity. This beautiful plant needs to be well-moistened daily to ensure its survival.

You may find it difficult to keep up with the watering schedule without a routine, so try container gardening or repotting Ctenanthe’ regularly.

Underwatering is also a common problem. The Ctenanthes Exotica can tolerate quite a bit of salt and mineral build-up in the soil, but if you keep them consistently wet, they’ll live longer.

Why are my Ctenanthe Exotica Stems brown?

The most typical cause of your Ctenanthe Exotica’s leaves becoming dark on the margins is from tap water.

Tap water includes salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride, which can accumulate in your plant’s soil and cause the tips of the leaves to burn, turn brown, and curl up.

One solution is to install a water filtering system. If you do not have a filtering system, you can alleviate some of the chlorine by keeping your water in an open container or sink overnight before using it.

Because your Ctenanthe Exotica is a tropical plant, it will thrive in more humid conditions.

Increase the humidity in your plant’s environment by spraying the leaves on a frequent basis, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier nearby.

Your Ctenanthe Exotica loves continually wet soil. Make certain that you are not overwatering or underwatering your plant.

Maintain a constant watering schedule, watering when the top 1″-2″ of soil is dry.

Why are my Ctenanthe Exotica Leaves turning yellow?

Looking at your plant, you may notice yellow leaves on top of the plant, especially the younger leaves. This yellowing is definitely a sign of stress.

The common causes of yellow leaves on Ctenanthe Exotica are overwatering and underwatering. As long as you water your Ctenanthe Exotica sufficiently but not excessively and make certain it can drain properly, this should not happen too often.

Overfeeding Ctenanthe Exotica is a more prevalent problem than inadequate fertilization. Yellow patches on foliage may result from insufficient fertilizer.

Because calatheas are one of the most sensitive plants, we recommend applying half the recommended fertilizer dose.

Ctenanthe Exotica require intense indirect light all day. If your plant isn’t getting enough light, it will suffer from stunted development and fading leaves.

The air around your plant is very crucial. If your calathea isn’t getting enough humidity, the leaves will turn yellow.

Ctenanthe Exotica, as tropical plants, prefer high humidity and might become stressed if the humidity in the air is not high enough.

Why my Ctenanthe Exotica leaves drooping?

Ctenanthe Exotica plants require water to create turgor pressure throughout their leaves and stem cells, allowing them to stand erect.

When the water pressure in a cell is diminished, whether because to excessive moisture loss or because the plant’s roots cannot absorb water quickly enough, the Prayer plant will droop.

Underwatering is one cause of water pressure loss. To avoid this, make sure that you are watering your Ctenanthe Exotica adequately.

Another cause is a reduction in the soil’s pH level. Calathea can be affected by alkali in the soil and require high pH levels for optimal growth and development.

You can easily adjust the pH level of your Calathea Exotica by adding vinegar to the water and allowing it to sit for a while without an open container; then thoroughly rinse with water to rinse off any residue.

Overwatering is another reason for wilted leaves. Make sure you take care of your plant by keeping the soil moist and not overwatering.

Low humidity is another cause of drooping leaves. You may want to place your Ctenanthe Exotica near a window or in a room where it is exposed to an upright humidifier that creates high humidity.

Your root bound Ctenanthe Exotica’s roots will be constrained to grow in a circle around the shape of the container.

This will eventually cause your Ctenanthe Exotica roots to create a compact clump with no room for soil.

When there is no more room in the container for soil, your Ctenanthe Exotica will cease absorbing water and nutrients. Instead, the leaves will droop as a result of dehydration.

Why my Ctenanthe Exotica leaves have holes?

The most common cause of leaf holes is insects, as well as other pests that can seriously damage your plant.

One way to get rid of them is to spray the leaves with water and allow the foliage to dry before spraying again.

Sun damage is another common cause of holes in Ctenanthe Exotica leaves. Ctenanthe Exotica dislikes being under direct sunlight.

In their native habitat, they grow in warm areas that are shaded by other leaves.

They get partial to dappled light and are shielded from the sun’s stronger beams.

If you put your Ctenanthe Exotica on a windowsill in direct sunlight, you may observe scorched leaves and burnt holes in the foliage.

How often should I water Ctenanthe Exotica?

Watering is one of the most crucial components of caring for a Ctenanthe Exotica. This plant has special water requirements that you must adhere to in order to avoid root rot or salt damage.

This tropical beauty requires constant moisture in the soil and is a thirsty plant.

Soak the soil until no dry pockets remain before watering your plant.

Depending on the environment and season, most individuals find that their Ctenanthe Exotica plant need watering every few days to once a week. Allow your plant to dry out between waterings.

These plants are extremely sensitive to chemicals and minerals in water, therefore they should be watered with rainwater or filtered water at room temperature if at all feasible.

Alternatively, leave tap water in the sink overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate.

What type of soil do Ctenanthe Exotica needs?

Most potting soils will work fine for your Never Never plant, but you should look for one that drains well to avoid water loading the plant’s root zone.

A calathea plant requires a lot of moisture, so choose a soil mix that holds a lot of water.

A peaty potting combination that is lightweight and airy, as well as any speciality mix aimed toward African violets, works well.

Plant your calathea in a container with drainage holes at the bottom; while it prefers damp soil, it is prone to root rot if it becomes saturated.

Furthermore, calathea plants like slightly acidic soil, surviving best with a pH of around 6.5.