Hi guys!

I wanted to ask for some advice about my calathea. It's not doing terribly, but it used to be very happy and I've noticed that recently the bottom / middle new leaves are yellowing/browning and dying off. A couple of the leaves are also curling.

Is this overwatering? Underwatering? I tend to water when the plant begins to stop closing so well at night, but only if the soil is dry at this point.

Thanks!

Bump

Your plant looks great to me. I have one in a greenhouse and it isn't as happy as yours! I'd just trim off any leaves that turn brown. Keep on doing what you're doing.

with what Karen said. You're plant is just shedding leaves, which is what all plants do every once in a while. Nothing to worry about, as long as your newest leaves don't start getting yellow. Just remember it's fine if old leaves get yellow, not fine if new ones do.

Now, I know you said "new leaves." Are you positive they're new, or just assuming based off their position in the plant? From the pictures, they all look like older leaves to me.

It's a beautiful plant!

You do have an amazing plant. These just normally are super picky when grown as house plants.

Aw thanks guys!

I guess the ones in the middle seem like new ones. They're softer and a brighter green but turning yellow.

I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing and see how things go 😄

Use your finger to decide when to water. Calatheas are not desert plants and don't like to dry out a lot. If you stick your finger into the soil to the second knuckle and it doesn't feel wet, water it. They also pretty much demand high humidity, the browning may be indicating that the air is too dry. Misting foliage and gravel trays with water are not sufficient to maintain the humidity that they need. You will probably need a humidifier.

I certainly don't think your plant looks bad, but you may need a humidifier. I'm in KY and don't need one during summer and fall to keep my calatheas happy, but definitely have to add one during the winter because running the furnace dries the air out so much.