All of the things you’ve heard about Calatheas are probably true. These are stunning tropical plants that are fussy but worth the extra effort. The beautiful leaves have uniquely variegated patterns, and they gradually lift and nod throughout the day, adding even more intrigue and interest. The Calathea Medallion, like all Prayer Plants, is particular, and it is not a good plant for a first-time plant owner, but if you’ve had success with houseplants, know your way around a humidifier, and understand that learning Calathea care is a process, then you should definitely consider a Medallion.
Prayer Plant Medallion Basics
The Medallion has broad, oval-shaped leaves that come to a slight point. The foliage is predominately dark green, although there is some medium green near the center and along the margins. Light green accents follow the midrib and create a border about an inch within the edge of the leaf. The variegation almost looks hand-drawn, and the different colors slightly fade into one another. While the upper side of the leaf is stunning, the underside is a deep, dark purple for a pop of color.
The leaves grow in a rosette form, and new foliage dramatically unfurls. Mature Calathea Medallion plants can stand 2 to 3 feet tall and just as wide. The Medallion is a slow-growing plant, so it will take years for a tiny plant to reach floor plant status, but it is possible with proper Calathea care.
This beauty is native to the rainforests of Brazil and is formally known as Goeppertia veitchiana roseopicta ‘Medallion.’ Many Calathea varieties were reclassified as Goeppertia several years ago. The genus Goeppertia hasn’t caught on among most plant owners, and the Calathea name is still widely used. You may see this plant labeled as a Goeppertia or a Calathea but know both names represent the same plant.
Calathea Medallion Light Needs
Give the Medallion medium to bright indirect sunlight. The Medallion can handle lower light but will grow slower. If you want this stunner to bulk up as quickly as possible, give it bright, indirect sunlight. Medium-light is acceptable if you’re fine with it gradually growing into a full and dense plant. The variegation will appear bolder and more vibrant in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight because it will singe the foliage. Sunburn appears as dark brown or black spots on the leaves.
Brand-new leaves may appear muted or yellow when they first open. Give the leaves a week or two, and the colors should transition into bold hues that indicate a happy and healthy plant.
Rotate the Medallion every few weeks, especially during the spring and summer, so each side receives even and consistent sunlight. Failing to spin the pot may cause the plant to lean to one side.
How Often to Water Calathea Medallion
Water Prayer Plants when the top few inches of the potting mix are dry. This plant likes damp conditions but doesn’t want to be soggy. Sticking your finger in the potting mix is the best way to determine when the plant needs water.
Drench the soil when it is time to water and remove overflow from the cover pot or saucer. Calatheas are sensitive to high mineral content, so consider using filtered, distilled, or bottled water. Plants struggling with high mineral water will form brown, crispy edges.
Signs of Water Stress
Overwatered Calatheas will have yellow leaf tips. Severely underwatered Prayer Plants will have drooping foliage. The stems will go limp when the plant is too dry. Immediately bottom water the plant, and the leaves should perk back up. Don’t confuse the limp foliage of a dry plant with the natural leaf movement. The leaves lift overnight and fold down during the day. This movement is normal and healthy.
Best Soil for Prayer Plants
Use moist, well-drained soil for Calatheas. The ideal potting mix will let excess water shed, preventing root rot. A rich mix supports growth. Keep it simple and use a general potting mix available at most stores. Take your Calathea care to the next level and use potting soil amended with peat moss.
Temperature for Calathea Medallion
Calatheas hail from warm weather regions, so they like temperatures between 65° and 85° F. Cold weather and drafts are trouble, so keep the plant away from vents and exterior doors. The Calathea Medallion will likely do very well on a screen porch or covered patio during the summer, but use the temperature as a guide to move the plant outside and back indoors.
Calathea Medallion Humidity Needs
Humidity is where things often fall apart when it comes to Calathea care. The Medallion is a tropical plant that doesn’t just like increased humidity; it needs extra dampness in the air. Humidity above 50% is necessary, but anything over 60% is better. Kitchens and bathrooms often have increased humidity, so consider locating the plant in one of those rooms if the other conditions are favorable. Using a humidity tray or humidifier, you can make any spot a good location.
The leaves will curl or turn brown along the edges when the humidity is too low. Low humidity damage looks a lot like damage caused by hydrating the plant with high mineral content water. If you notice brown edges, evaluate the situation. If the humidity is low, that is the likely culprit, but the water hardness may be the issue if the humidity is consistently above 50%. Getting to the bottom of things often takes trial and error.
Calathea Medallion Fertilizer
Give the Calathea Medallion a dose of balanced fertilizer each month during the spring and summer. A water-soluble plant food is easy, effective, and protects the roots. Only fertilize plants when they are actively growing. Do not fertilize dormant Calatheas.
Does Calathea Medallion Bloom?
Calatheas do bloom. Individual flower spikes grow from the soil, with the blooms often appearing mixed in with the foliage. The leaves are the show-stopper of the Medallion, and while charming, the flowers are not as impressive. A blooming Calathea is an accomplishment, and it means you provide excellent care, but many plant owners choose to prune the flower spikes and redirect that energy into foliage production.
Prayer Plant Pruning Tips
Be prepared to prune your Calathea Medallion if you are new to Prayer Plants. The plant is bound to have damage at some point, and you can remove dead or damaged growth at any time. Remove the entire leaf if more than half is dry or brown. Just trim the damage if less than half of the leaf is yellow or brown.
When to Repot Calathea Medallion
The Calathea Medallion is a slow-growing plant, so plan to repot it every 2 to 3 years. Look for signs that the Calathea is ready for a larger pot. Repot Calatheas in the early spring while the plant is still dormant or starting to grow again.
Calathea Medallion Propagation
Propagate the Medallion through division. Healthy plants naturally create more rhizomes, which are their thick, tuberous roots. A full, healthy plant can be separated or divided into several smaller plants. Division is easiest when coupled with repotting. Remove the plant from its pot, gently shake loose potting mix free, and gently separate the rhizomes. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut rhizomes as needed. Repot each plant in a properly sized container.
A perk of dividing the plants is preventing the Calathea from becoming rootbound. Dividing a full plant not only gives you more plants but also sets each individual plant up for success by giving them the room they need to thrive.
Is the Calathea Medallion Pet Safe?
Calatheas are pet-safe. Your cat or dog will not be harmed if they eat any part of a Prayer Plant, including the Goeppertia Medallion. Eating too much of anything can be trouble, so be careful if your pet tends to chew on foliage.
Calathea Medallion Styling Tips
The Calathea Medallion looks stunning on its own, but make a statement by clustering several Calathea roseopicta varieties together, like the Dottie and Rosey. Small- or medium-sized plants look amazing on an end table or desk. Large plants will look stunning in a plant stand situated in a sunny corner.
Calathea Medallion Care Tips
The Calathea Medallion is a beautiful plant. Caring for Calatheas can be challenging, but stick with it, be patient, and you’ll get the hang of things before long. Once you learn how to dial in your Calathea Medallion care, the plant will thrive, and you can sit back and enjoy the amazing foliage.