How To Prune A Calathea

Encompassing about 300 flashy, exotic species, calatheas (Calathea spp.) have earned colorful nicknames such as peacock plant, rattlesnake plant and zebra plant. Thriving only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 and 12, these true tropical jungle natives are fussbudgets that don't grow well in most outdoor gardening conditions. Calatheas tend to be cranky indoors as well, and sometimes need pruning when their growing conditions aren't right. These finicky plants respond by pouting — displaying their annoyance with dead leaf edges, and yellow or dying foliage that requires trimming. When you find out why your calathea is mad, you can kiss, make up and reduce the need for future prunings.

Step 1

Prune out spent blooms and dead, dying or damaged leaves as they occur. Use clean, sharp scissors to snip the stalks off at soil level. It's normal for calatheas to shed older outer leaves occasionally. But if yellowing, dying leaves appear frequently or closer to the interior of the plant, it's trying to tell you something. Recurrent yellowing indicates a problem with temperature, lighting, watering or fertilizing.

Step 2

Step 2

Trim browning edges from calathea leaves with scissors. This condition is common in these sensitive plants and makes them look shabby, but hints to you that something isn't right. Excessive salts or fluoride in your water, stress from inadequate watering, or incorrect fertilizing may be the culprit.

Step 3

Step 3

Disinfect the scissors before and after use to prevent spreading bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Scour the tool with hot soapy water to remove dirt and debris. Immerse it in a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach, and allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the scissors with warm water. Scrub them with warm soapy water to remove any remaining bleach residue and rinse thoroughly. Lay them out to air dry for about 24 hours, in direct sunlight if possible.