If you’re looking for an eye-catching houseplant that is both exotic and versatile, look no further than the Calathea Maui queen. This beautiful plant features dark green leaves with striking silver markings running down the center, making it a perfect addition to any home or office.
What’s more, the Calathea Maui queen is easy to care for and can thrive in various environments, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. So if you’re looking for a plant sure to turn heads and make a statement, the Maui queen is a perfect choice.
Read on to learn more about this unique plant!
Origin of Calathea Maui Queen
The calathea Maui queen is a rare and exotic plant prized for its unparalleled beauty and versatility. This plant is native to the island of Maui in Hawaii. The Maui queen is a member of the calathea family, which includes over 300 different species of plants. This plant is most often found in tropical rainforests.
It was first discovered in Brazil and later introduced to Hawaii, quickly becoming a popular houseplant. Today, these plants can be found in homes and gardens worldwide.
The Maui Queen is a perennial plant that can grow up to three feet tall and wide. This plant has large, oval-shaped leaves that are green with a white feathered design going down the middle. In ideal conditions, it blooms small, insignificant white flowers compared to the beauty of the leaves.
Other names for the calathea Maui queen are the Calathea louisae’ Maui Queen’ and the Goeppertia louisae Maui Queen.
Quick Summary Guide
Lighting: bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions.
Watering: Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Allow the plant to drain after watering and never let it sit in water.
Humidity: calathea prefers high humidity and will benefit from regular misting.
Temperature: calathea thrives in warm temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil: calathea Maui queen prefers rich, well-draining
Fertilizer: fertilized monthly during the growing season.
Pruning: to remove damaged or yellow leaves.
Propagation: propagated by division or stem cuttings.
Toxicity: calathea Maui queen is not toxic to humans or pets.
Characteristics of the Calathea Maui Queen
Calathea Maui queen is a beautiful evergreen plant that can reach up to three feet in height. This plant is part of the prayer plant family, and its leaves will fold up at night, giving the calathea Maui queen a unique appearance.
The Maui queen is known for its dark green leaves with centered silver markings. The underside of the leaves is a deep maroon color. The feathered markings on the leaves give this plant its name, as they resemble the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Overview Of the Maui queen
Calathea Maui queen is a beautiful, versatile plant that is easy to care for. It can be used in various ways and makes a perfect addition to any home or office.
This plant features dark green leaves with silver and white markings going down the center of each plant leaf.
The Maui queen is not only an exotic, beautiful plant but also a very versatile one. It can be used as a houseplant, in terrariums, as ground cover, or even in hanging baskets.
No matter how you use it, the calathea Maui queen will surely add beauty and interest to your home or office.
How To Care For the Calathea Maui queen:
The Calathea Maui queen is easy to care for and can tolerate many conditions. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for this plant:
Lighting
The Maui queen prefers bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. Low light will not harm this plant. However, it will make its leaves less vibrant.
If you can place this plant in a spot where it will receive some morning sun, that would be ideal.
However, calathea can also do well in artificial light, such as a fluorescent light bulb.
You can test the light using a
Watering
Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Allow the plant to drain after watering and never let it sit in water. This plant does not like wet feet and will start to show signs of stress if its roots are constantly wet.
If you notice the leaves of your plant droop, that is a sign that it is thirsty and needs to be watered.
Remember to water your plant with room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots. These plants can handle tap water, but if you notice the leaves starting to brown, that is a sign of too much chlorine in the water. In this case, it is best to use filtered or distilled water.
If using distilled water, adjust your fertilizer schedule as distilled water does not contain any nutrients the plant can use.
Why is water quality important?
Water quality is essential for the Maui queen because this plant is susceptible to chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride. These chemicals can build up in the soil and cause the plant’s leaves to brown.
Humidity
Calathea Maui queen prefers high humidity but can also tolerate lower humidity levels. These plants are used to being in humidity of about 60-80%. If the moisture in your home or office is below 50%, you may notice the leaves of your calathea Maui queen starting to brown.
If you live in a dry climate, you may need to provide additional humidity for your plant.
One way to increase the humidity around your calathea Maui queen is to place it on a pebble tray. A pebble tray is simply a shallow dish filled with gravel and water. The water will evaporate and increase the humidity around the plant.
You can also use a humidifier to provide additional moisture to the air. Just be sure the humidifier is not placed too close to the plant, as this can cause leaf damage.
Temperature
Calathea Maui queen prefers warm temperatures and will do best in a room between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants are not tolerant of cold temperatures and should be protected from drafts.
If the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you may notice the leaves of your calathea Maui queen starting to brown.
Soil
Calathea Maui queen prefers well-draining, loose soil. A good
You can purchase a premade mixture or make your own.
A good Calathea soil recipe is:
- ½ part peat moss
- ½ part perlite
- ¼ part bark
- ¼ part sand
Peat moss is a type of organic matter that helps to hold moisture in the soil while still allowing excess water to drain. You can also use cocoa coir as a peat moss alternative.
Perlite is a type of volcanic glass that helps to aerate the soil and improve drainage.
Bark is a type of wood that breaks down over time and provides nutrients to the plant. Orchid bark is a good option for calathea plants.
Add some organic compost to the mix to provide additional nutrients, such as worm castings or composted leaves.
When repotting your plant, use a pot that is only one size larger than the current pot. These plants do not like to be rootbound and will start to show signs of stress if they are potbound.
Why do we care so much about soil?
The soil is vital for calathea plants because it feeds them and provides support. The roots of Maui queen are delicate and can easily be damaged if the plant is potbound or the soil is too dense.
Fertilizing
Calathea Maui queen should be fertilized about once a month during the growing season. Use a quality fertilizer that contains both nitrogen and phosphorus. Avoid using a fertilizer with too much nitrogen as this can cause the plant’s leaves to yellow.
It is best to fertilize your calathea Maui queen in the morning, so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. This will help to prevent fungal diseases from developing.
A balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer is a good option for calathea plants. This is equal parts Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Why do you want these nutrients?
Nitrogen is essential for calathea Maui queen as it helps the plant produce new leaves.
Phosphorus is vital for calathea Maui queen as it helps to promote root growth.
Potassium is essential for calathea Maui queen as it helps the plant to absorb water and nutrients.
The healthy combination of these three nutrients will help your plant to thrive.
You can also use an organic fertilizer such as compost or worm castings if you prefer a more natural avenue.
Pruning
Calathea Maui queen does not need to be pruned, but you can trim off any dead or dying leaves. These plants will also benefit from cleaning their leaves with a soft, damp cloth.
This will help remove any dust or dirt accumulated on the leaves.
Propagation
Calathea Maui queen can be propagated by division or by rooting stem cuttings.
To propagate calathea Maui queen by division, carefully remove the plant from its pot and divide it into two or three sections. Each section should have at least one growing point.
Replant the sections in their own pots and water well.
To propagate calathea Maui queen by stem cuttings, take a cutting that contains at least two leaves. Remove the bottom leaf and dip the cutting in rooting hormone.
Place the cutting in a pot of moistened perlite or vermiculite and cover with plastic.
Place the pot in a warm, humid location out of direct sunlight.
The cutting should root within two to three weeks. Once the roots have developed, you can transplant the cutting into a pot of
Toxicity
Calathea plants are not toxic to humans or animals. However, the leaves of this plant can cause skin irritation in some people. If you experience any irritation, wash the area with soap and water.
Plant Issues and Diseases
Calathea Maui queen is susceptible to a few different plant issues and diseases. These include calathea browning, calathea yellowing, and calathea leaf spot.
Calathea browning is caused by the leaves of the plant turning brown. This can be caused by several different factors such as too much sun, too much water, or not enough humidity.
Calathea yellowing is caused by the leaves of the plant turning yellow. This can be caused by several different factors such as too much sun, too much water, or not enough nutrients.
Calathea leaf spot is a fungal disease that can cause brown or black spots on the plant’s leaves. This disease is most often caused by too much water or not enough ventilation.
Take corrective action immediately if you notice any of these issues with your calathea Maui queen.
Adjust your watering and fertilizing schedule as needed. If the problem persists, contact a professional for help.
Pests
Calathea Maui queen is susceptible to a few different pests. These include mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.
Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on the sap of calathea plants. They can cause the plant leaves to turn yellow and eventually drop off.
Spider mites are small, red insects that drink the juice of the plants. They can cause the plant leaves to die or develop issues from lack of nutrients.
Aphids are small, black insects that feed on the sap of calathea plants. They will chew on the leaves causing damage which will eventually kill the plant if no action is taken.
Take immediate action if you notice these pests on your plant. Remove the pests by hand or use an insecticide. Neem oil is a good choice as well. Just mix the neem oil with water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and wipe the plant leaves down.
If the problem persists, contact a professional for help.
FAQ:
Q: How often should I water calathea Maui queen?
A: Water calathea Maui queen when the top inch of soil is dry. You can check if the soil below is damp by sticking a chopstick or your finger into the
Q: Why are my plant’s leaves turning yellow?
A: There are several reasons why calathea leaves may turn yellow. These include too much sun, too much water, or not enough nutrients. Check to make sure your plant is not getting too much sunlight during a part of the day.
Review your feeding and fertilizing plans and check the soil for moisture. Yellowing leaves will often die off, but you can try to save them by making the necessary changes.
Q: Can calathea Maui queen tolerate low light?
A: No, calathea Maui queen cannot tolerate low light. This plant needs bright, filtered light to thrive. If you notice your plant’s leaves turning yellow or brown, it is likely not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location out of direct sunlight.
Q: What type of pot should I use for calathea Maui queen?
A: Use a pot with drainage holes and a material that will not absorb water. A terra-cotta or ceramic pot is ideal.
Q: How often should I report calathea, Maui queen?
A: You will want to repot your plant every 12-18 months. Be sure to use a pot that is only one size larger than the current pot. If the pot is too large, the plant will not be able to support itself properly and may become top-heavy and topple over.
Q: Can I bottom water the Calathea house plant?
A: No, you should not bottom water calathea Maui queen. This plant does not like wet feet and will develop root rot if the roots are constantly soaked in water. Water calathea Maui queen when the top inch of soil is dry.
Q: Where can I purchase a Maui Queen From?
A: You can purchase a Maui Queen plant from a nursery or online retailer. Be sure to select a reputable source that offers healthy plants. These plants are relatively rare and may be difficult to find in your local area.
Conclusion
The Calathea Maui queen is a beautiful and versatile plant that can bring life to any space. These plants are easy to care for and make a great addition to any home. With their striking leaves and unique patterns, the Maui queen will make a statement in any room.
Whether looking for a plant to add to your collection or searching for the perfect gift, the Queen is the ideal choice. These plants are sure to please even the most discerning plant lover. So what are you waiting for? Add one to your collection today!
Do you have a Maui queen? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to share this post with your plant-loving friends!
