All About Calathea Leopardina

Not all Calatheas cover vertical space, but this one does! Long stems point out towards perky-green, feather-shaped leaves that have perfectly spaced, swooping stripes. These non-toxic, medium care requirements, fast growers can reach up to two feet in height, which makes the Calathea Leopardina perfect to fill in dull corners or negative space around the TV. 

Meet Your Match:

• Nickname: Zebra Calathea 
• About the Family: The Calathea Leopardina is a relative of other Calathea varieties, such as the Calathea Roseopicta and Calathea Vittata. They are cousins of the traditional “Prayer Plant:” the Maranta.
• Understanding the Family Tree: Marantaceae (Family), Calathea (Genus), Calathea Leopardina (Species).
• Hometown: The under-canopy of warm, humid rainforests of South-America.

How to Care for Your Calathea Leopardina:

• Watering: Keep the soil moist—water when the topsoil is crumbly.
• Humidity: High. Place it near a humidifier or mist daily.
• Soil: Your Calathea Leopardina prefers well-draining soil. 
• Fertilizer: Every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Do not fertilize during dormancy.
• Environment: Keep your Calathea Leopardina in bright, indirect light.
• Propagation: The easiest method is division during repotting.
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and people.

The Best Unboxing Practices:

Properly caring for your newly unboxed Calathea Leopardina for the first week of its new life is crucial to the extended wellness of your plant. Follow these practices to get the best results:

• Watering: Exotic Forest ships freshly watered plants. Do not water your Calathea Lancioflia until it exhibits the proper signs.
• Repotting: Do not immediately repot your plant, which would likely result in shock and leaf-loss. Allow it to acclimate to its new environment for at least one week.
• Lighting: Place your Calathea Leopardina in filtered, low light for a few days to acclimate. Relocate your Calathea Leopardina to your desired location that fits its care needs afterward. Do not ever place a freshly un-boxed plant in direct sun.

What You’re Getting:

• You will receive a carefully selected, quality evaluated 6” diameter plant approximately 18" tall. All Exotic Forest plants are rooted and thriving. 

What Makes Us Special:

• Shipment Methods: Plants are precious, and we want yours to arrive safely! We ship our plants via UPS, with a maximum of 4-day shipping. 
• Our Packing: Have you received ‘squished’ plants from other companies? Our solution to this common issue is bamboo stakes and biodegradable packing peanuts (starch), which securely holds your plant in place during shipment. 
• Chemical-free: We are committed to keeping our plants and customers safe. We never treat our plants with chemical pesticides. 
• Quality Standards: Exotic Forest strives to meet stringent quality standards and evaluates each plant we resource from our nursery. Pest-free, healthy plants are a requirement!
• Customer Service: Your satisfaction is our priority. If you are experiencing issues with or have questions about how to care for your Calathea Leopardina, reach out to us at support@exoticforest.com or via our social media accounts. Are you tired of receiving pre-written responses? We believe that plant parents want to talk to people, not robots. A knowledgeable team member reads and replies to each individual concern: no cookie-cutter answers here!
• Returns: While we do not accept returns at this time, you can contact us at support@exoticforest.com with photos of your plant and receipt to discuss the specific plant care issues you’re experiencing with your Calathea Leopardina and possible resolutions.
• Your Personal Plant-Care Resource: Do you love your new addition? We couldn’t be happier! Join our mailing list to receive exclusive offers, updates, and care tips.

FAQ about Calathea Leopardina Care:

• Why does my Calathea Leopardina have yellow leaves? Yellowing leaves can be caused by many different factors, however, the three most common are overwatering, pests, and nutrition deficiencies. To address overwatering: Water your Calathea Leopardina when the topsoil is dry; do not water it on a fixed weekly or biweekly schedule. Allow the soil to dry out further to care for your Calathea Leopardina during the winter months.
• How to repot a Calathea Plant? You can easily repot a Calathea at the beginning of its growing season, in early spring. These plants have sensitive roots, so avoid tampering with the root ball. If your plant has outgrown its current pot, place it in a container that is 1-2 inches deeper and wider. 
• Can I bring a Calathea back to life? As long as a Calathea has a leaf or two, there is a chance to bring the overall plant back to life by encouraging new growth. Care for your Calathea Leopardina by placing it near a humidifier, a window with indirect light, and water it properly. Once you ensure you are caring for your plant properly, wait to see new growth in the spring-summer season. Keep in mind, if your plant develops brown tips, edges, or yellowing on its leaves, it is irreversible. You cannot fix damaged leaves, but you can snip unsightly edges off with sterile scissors. 
• What should I know about Calathea Leopardina care? Humidity is essential when caring for any Calathea. High levels of humidity will help the soil to maintain moisture and will prevent brown, crispy edges.  Humidity also wards off some common household pests, such as Spider Mites.