How often to water a calathea

The basics

• Watering interval: every 5 days (starting point)
• Light need: medium

Care note: Keep soil lightly moist. Rain or distilled water helps avoid crispy edges.

What changes the schedule

The interval above assumes a typical home. Four things move it in real life:

• Check the soil first. Push a finger an inch or two into the soil. If it still feels damp, wait and check again in a day or two, even if the calendar says today.
• The pot. Small pots and terracotta dry out fast. Big pots and plastic or glazed pots hold moisture longer, and a pot with no drainage hole needs extra care not to overdo it.
• The season. Plants drink more in spring and summer growth, and much less in winter rest. The same plant can need water twice as often in June as in January.
• The light. Brighter light means faster growth and faster drying. A plant moved to a sunnier spot will usually need water sooner than the guide says.

Put it on your schedule

PlantTasks turns this interval into a personal schedule with your other plants, sorted by who needs water first, with a printable list and calendar reminders. Your plant list is saved only in your browser, and there is no account.

Add this plant to your watering schedule

Related plants

More plants that like medium light:

• Dracaena watering guide Water every 10 days, medium light.
• Boston fern watering guide Water every 4 days, medium light.
• Peperomia watering guide Water every 8 days, medium light.