Calathea Maui Queen, often known as Zebra Plant Maui Queen, is a Marantaceae family plant. The Calathea is indigenous to the tropical southeast Brazilian rainforests.
The classification of the plant has changed to Goeppertia Louisae Maui Queen. But, people still use the term Calathea. The plant is a hybrid cultivar. It’s easy to take care of and does not need much.
It can thrive in low-light environments, which makes it a great plant to grow indoors. Its stunning appearance brightens up homes, offices, and other indoor areas.
Overview and Features
The leaves are oval and have creamy feather-like lines running down the center. On the undersides, there is purple coloration. In the summer, little purple or white-green flowers may bloom.
The leaves open during the day and fold at night. The rustling sound of them closing at night is also audible. This phenomenon allows the plant to absorb and reflect light while saving water.
As an evergreen plant, it retains its foliage throughout the year, and the leaves won’t fall off in the fall. The Calathea Maui Queen slows its development rate during the winter.
The Calathea matures in about two years. It can reach at least 3.9 inches in height and at most 39.3 inches in height.
It’s also an air-cleaning plant that absorbs harmful particles that are present in the air. It’s non-toxic when consumed by animals or humans, but it’s not edible.
Finding Calathea seeds can be challenging. But, Calathea Maui Queen plants can also be grown from seed.
How to Care For the Calathea Maui Queen
One of the best things about the Calathea Maui Queen is how simple it is to maintain. It doesn’t need much. It’ll be a breeze as long as you provide it with its needs.
Soil and Fertilizer
Use a light, absorbent indoor potting soil that retains moisture but drains. You can use African violet soil as the Calathea flourishes best in it. You can even create your soil by blending different materials.
To create your own potting mix, use 10% perlite, 20% charcoal, and 20% orchid bark with 50% potting soil. Plant your Calathea Maui Queen in somewhat acidic to neutral soil.
The soil’s pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. Peat Moss is an excellent addition to the plant’s potting mix since it raises the acidity of the soil.
Fertilization is most effective in the spring and early summer, best during March. Considering your plants are resting over the winter, there is no need to fertilize them at that time.
Regular houseplant fertilizer works well with the Calathea Maui Queen plant. The packages usually recommend higher quantities that can harm the plant. Thus, never apply the same amount of fertilizer to the plant as the package specifies.
Always dilute the fertilizer to half its recommended dosage before applying it.
Watering
You should water the plant once or twice a week from March to September. Throughout the winter, once every nine to fourteen days. Hydrate the plant, and keep the soil moist at all times.
But, it won’t grow in wet or waterlogged soils. Excessive watering leads to the air out of the dirt. That results in clamping the soil around the plant’s soggy roots. Hence, a well-draining potting mix should do the trick.
Plant it in a pot with a drain hole so that excess water drains out. Before watering, check the top 1 inch of soil for moisture. Avoid draughts as they can cause the leaves to curl.
If burnt by direct sunlight, the ends of the leaves will wilt and turn yellow. But, it’s also possible that watering with fluoride-rich tap water will give the same result. Allow the water to sit for the duration of the night before hydrating your plant. Another alternative is to use purified water using a filter.
Moisture
Another reason why the tips of the leaves can get brown and brittle is that the plant requires more water. You can water the plant once a week in a very light mist, but it isn’t advisable. Damp foliage attracts a wide range of pests, termites, and insects.
The ideal humidity range for this plant is 50–60%. Make sure you don’t overwater your plant. Fungal infections, like Alternaria Leaf Spot or Helminthosporium Leaf Spot, could occur.
The pebble tray approach is the most effective strategy for increasing humidity. The pebble tray method involves placing a tray of pebbles or gravel beneath the plants. The tray would then have water. Submerge the bottom stones and keep the top ones dry.
Installing a humidifier is also an option, but it’ll be expensive.
Sunlight
Calathea plants are sun-sensitive and grow best in indirect sunshine. Place the plant at least 6 feet away from a window.
A window facing east or west with a transparent drape or curtain would be ideal. Excessive direct sunlight burns the leaves, causing the stunning leaf colors to deteriorate.
Temperature
Extreme cold and heat can both cause trauma and injure this plant. It can’t withstand severe weather or temperature fluctuations.
The Calathea Maui Queen prefers temperatures ranging from 64 to 77 Fahrenheit.
Don’t leave the plant outdoors throughout the winter. Because of the frigid temperatures, it will get harmed and will die. In warmer weather, keep away from cool breezes, fans, and air conditioners.
The Aftercare
You must provide it with proper aftercare after you’ve planted it. The aftercare ensures that the plant remains healthy and nourished.
Trimming
Every year, you should cut its foliage. As soon as you discover any dead or dying leaves, prune them. It’s critical to sanitize gardening shears before using them to trim a plant’s foliage. Using non-sterile shears should be off the table.
All the cuts and sores will make the plant more susceptible to infections. This method will allow the plant to develop fresh new ones instead of saving the old ones.
Repotting
Your plant will need repotting every year or two to sustain new growth as it doubles in size. Choose a pot that is only a few inches larger than the one it’s in now. The size of the new pot is essential. A larger or smaller pot than needed might cause a variety of issues, such as root rot or waterlog.
Re-pot this plant only during the growing season; otherwise, wait till the weather warms up. Remember that reusing old soil in a new pot is not a good idea. Repotting replenishes nutrients while also revitalizing the soil.
Pest and Insects Control
Pests and diseases are infrequent. But, the Calathea Maui Queen may come into contact with spider mites over its lifetime. Spider mites are pests that are difficult to detect.
They live, form spider webs, and lay their transparent eggs in the underparts of the leaves. They’re, nonetheless, noticeable.
These mites drain the sap from the plant’s stem, leaving it feeble and on the edge of dying. Always inspect the leaves for slight tremors or webs. It’ll help in treating the problem early on if any irregularities exist.
To get rid of these pests, clean the foliage and the undersides of its leaves. Another option is to treat the roots with neem oil. Be careful not to apply it on the leaves since they’re sensitive and will cause the colors to fade.
Propagation
You can propagate the Calathea Maui Queen using the division method. The best time to propagate this plant is in March, when the growing season begins. It’s a straightforward process.
- To begin, take care not to injure your plant’s foliage when taking it from its pot.
- Then, shake it to get rid of any extra soil.
- After that, using a stick or your fingers, try to untangle and loosen the roots.
- Position the plant on a table and cut it into two 2/3 and 1/3 sections using a knife.
- Next, take both sections and place them in separate pots with a potting mix.
- Finally, wet the dirt in the pots, then place them in indirect exposure. Cover with polythene, and keep warm until the young plants sprout.
Using the division method for your Calathea is the best way to keep it from getting too big. Propagating by division keeps your plant from getting too huge if you want it a specific size. A helpful tip to reduce damage is to divide your plant while repotting.
It’s worth mentioning that propagating a poor plant may result in the death of the original plant. Also, it could mean that the propagation won’t be successful.
Even so, in some situations, division propagation may be the sole option for saving a plant.
Summary
The Calathea Maui Queen is a plant grown as a houseplant due to its peculiar and lovely appearance. It requires only the smallest of necessities to flourish. One distinguishing feature is that it retains its leaves throughout the year.
Not only does it look nice, but it also cleanses the air around you. It’s non-toxic, which makes it safe to be around animals and people. Be sure to keep up with the necessary care, and you’ll be able to enjoy the appeal of the plant that beautifies your home.