The calathea medallion plant is shockingly gorgeous upon first glance, and if you catch it when it reaches its full height of 3 feet, it is breathtaking. Seriously, in some spaces, this tropical plant native to South and Central America is the only decoration you’ll need.
Also known by its Latin name, Calathea veitchiana, the leaves on this plant have a medallion design that transitions from darker to lighter greens on the top side and reaches a dark burgundy on the underside.
The calathea medallion is tricky to care for, but once you master its maintenance, it will make a lovely addition to your warm, lower light room.
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A Calathea Medallion Plant Is Good for Homes and Offices
This medallion plant is unique not just in its coloring and its size but also in its habits.
At night, the leaves curl up slightly, not quite like a prayer plant, which folds its leaves inward.
It will purify the air in your room and contribute oxygen, and it is always good to have a plant around you for a positive outlook on life as plants are known to be beneficial to mental health.
You can put this plant in a large pot in the corner of a room and expect to get plenty of conversation around it, so it improves socialization and community, as well.
To add even more benefit, the calathea medallion brings in good feng shui energy.
Are Calathea Medallion Plants Good for the Feng Shui Flow of a Room?
Sure, it is not the easiest plant to care for, but when you do get its care down, the calathea medallion pays for itself in spades.
The colors of green and burgundy speak to wealth, prosperity, and nobility in terms of symbolism, and the care and love it takes to maintain the plant symbolize patience and love in your own life.
You bring excellent feng shui into your home with a calathea medallion.
To learn more about establishing feng shui and flow in your home or office, check out the master class article on how to use feng shui.
Are Calathea Medallion Plants Easy to Grow and Maintain?
The calathea medallion plant is not easy to grow and maintain, but it is not too difficult either.
How Do Calathea Medallion Plants Grow?
You must provide the calathea medallion plant with a warm temperature and enough humidity. After all, the calathea is a tropical plant. Learn to test the soil for the right balance of moisture but not sogginess, and provide enough indirect light for the plant’s needs.
The plant will then grow to 3 feet, branching out on strong stems to form large leaves with startlingly vibrant colors.
What Kind of Soil Does a Calathea Medallion Plant Need?
The calathea only needs a simply indoor potting soil intended for houseplant. Make sure the soil is well drained in a pot with a saucer to catch runoff.
This lovely plant does not want to sit in water and will die quickly from root rot.
Even more important is to provide nutrients rich in iron once a month.
How Much Light Does a Calathea Medallion Plant Need?
Remember you are dealing with a tropical plant used to medium or bright indirect light. Picture it beneath much larger tropical trees that provide a humid environment and block direct sunlight.
How Much Water Does a Calathea Medallion Plant Need?
The calathea medallion will typically want water once a week, maybe less in the winter when growth slows.
Indeed, probably the most difficult part of maintaining a calathea is keeping it at the perfect water level because it will suffer from both too much water and not enough water.
The best trick is to learn to gauge your water levels by sticking your finger in the soil and feeling the top 1 inch. If it is dry, you can water the plant. If that top 1 inch is still moist, wait a couple more days and check again.
Take a look at this article on watering mistakes you’re making that are killing your plants for more tips.
Other Conditions that Are Important to a Calathea Medallion Plant
Humidity is probably the biggest factor to remember when it comes to the calathea medallion plant after you have figured out a watering schedule and found its appropriate place in your home.
As a tropical plant, it wants around 70% humidity, so a bathroom with a good window or a kitchen corner with ample light could be perfect.
Calathea Medallion Plant Decorating Ideas
An ideal location for the calathea medallion will be near a window in a warm, humid room.
It can be a beautiful decorative piece in a large bathroom or on a side table in a corner of your kitchen.
If you live and work in a warm, humid place, then it can be lovely anywhere with enough light.
Make it a statement piece by placing it near a large bay window in a bright white pot, or surround it with other, smaller tropical plants to create a whole vibe.
Do Fake Calathea Medallion Plants Look Real?
With its shocking size, color, and variegation, the calathea medallion plant already looks fake, so a fake version will look just as real.
Today, you can find a high-quality calathea plant that will cause you no trouble at all and make just as much of a statement and bring just as much good energy into your space.
If you struggle to keep plants alive, but you really want a calathea medallion, you can always try out a fake one. Check out my piece on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
Either way, you can’t go wrong bringing this one into your home or office.
Do you already have a calathea medallion plant? How do you decorate your home or office with it? Tell me about your experience with the calathea medallion plant in the comments below.
