Calathea White Fusion Plant Care

Did you know that the Calathea White Fusion is known as peacock plant because of its gorgeous foliage? These variegated plants do not fail to impress anyone who sets eyes on them- their leaves portray shades of marbled white and green, along with lilac on the underside and stems.

However, many people complain about its leaf patterns disappearing- this is usually caused by poor care methods.

If you want your Calathea plants to thrive, you must provide them with filtered, bright light, moist soil and prevent them from receiving excess water.

Calathea White Fusion Plant Care

One of the most popular houseplants, caring for Calathea plants can be tricky, especially compared to other plants. However, these tropical plants will thrive with the right soil mix, filtered light, humidity levels, and attention to detail.

Water

Since Calathea White is a tropical plant, it is accustomed to the rainforest, where it rains often, but the soil drains fast. The rain keeps the soil moist while lowering the chances of soggy soil.

As house plants, you need to water the Calathea White Fusion every five to ten days. However, instead of making a regular watering schedule, check the top of the soil mix. If it has dried out, it is a sign that the plant’s roots need water.

When watering your plant, make sure to use rainwater or distilled water, as these plants have a high sensitivity to fluoride, which is usually found in tap water.

If you absolutely need to use tap water, fill it out in a container and leave it out overnight. This method will help dissolve the fluoride found in tap water.

Light

In tropical rainforests, Calathea White Fusion plants grow under tree canopies. Hence, these plants require bright indirect light even when planted as a houseplant.

At home, you do not need to use any special grow lights. Instead, place your Calathea plant in a north or east-facing room close to a window so that the plant can receive indirect light. If you only have a south or west-facing room, you must ensure that the plant does not receive too much bright light as this will burn its leaves.

To ensure that your Calathea White does not get too much direct sunlight, you can place a sheer curtain between the window and the plant. This will give your plant the perfect balance of filtered light to thrive.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Calathea White Fusion plants is towards the higher side. This plant likes high-humidity areas where the temperature falls between 15 to 26 degrees Celsius. You do not need any supplemental heating to reach this temperature.

It is vital that you keep your Calathea White Fusion plant away from air conditioning fans and vents, as cold air can affect the dense foliage.

Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius can destroy these plants since they do not have any frost hardiness.

If you want to keep your plant outdoors, you must find a shady spot for it so that it receives bright direct light without receiving too much direct sunlight.

Soil

Calathea White Fusion requires well-draining soil that can retain moisture. Think about it like a damp sponge rather than one which is dripping wet.

While moist soil is good, overly-wet soil will lead to root rot and cause damage to your entire plant.

If you are using soil mix, aim to keep the pH levels around 6.5. These plants thrive in a soil mix which is slightly acidic.

You can find most soil mixes available in garden centres. One thing to ensure is that it is high-quality potting soil which will not retain excess water.

You can also make your own potting soil by mixing equal amounts of bark, perlite, and potting soil.

Humidity Levels

You should aim to provide your Calathea White with 75 to 85 percent humidity. This can be difficult to create indoors since most homes can only manage to reach 30 percent humidity.

To meet the requirements of your Calathea White Fusion, you will have to make a spot yourself where humidity levels are high. If you have other houseplants who require moist conditions, you can keep the Calathea White with them.

The best way to provide humidity to your Calathea Fusion White is by using a humidifier close to it. You can also put the plant, along with other house plants, on a tray filled with pebbles and water. This will ensure high humidity levels.

Moreover, to boost the plant’s growth, you can mist the plant a few times a week. However, only use distilled water, so there is no mineral build-up on the leaves.

Fertilizer

Your White Fusion Calathea requires nutrients to support the dense foliage. You can use a liquid fertilizer once in the summer and spring, but we recommend diluting it for new growth.

If you do not want to feed your house plant once a month, you can throw in some slow-release granules in the soil. These granules will provide nutrients to the plant for the entire season.

You can also plant the Calathea Fusion White in a pot with lots of compost in the soil mix. Aim to include enough compost to last till you have to change the plant’s pot.

Repotting Calathea White Fusion

The White Fusion plant needs to be repotted once or twice a year.

A sign that your plant needs to be repotted is when you notice a dull leaf pattern or an unhealthy plant with overgrown roots.

If the plant has become rootbound, this shows that more soil is required to hold the moisture, so you need to switch pots and move your Calathea White Fusion into a bigger pot.

A plastic pot helps conserve soil moisture, but you must also ensure that the pot has sufficient drainage holes.

When repotting the plant, remember to use fresh potting soil.

Propagation

Plant propagation is the method of using the parent plant to make new plant cuttings, which can be performed through seed germination.

However, since it is difficult to find Calathea White Fusion seeds, propagation by root division is commonly used.

Here is how to propagate your Calathea White Fusion:

1. START by Filling New Pots with Soil

The first step is deciding how many new pots you will need. Then, you can fill these pots up with 1/3 of potting soil.

This method helps replant the divided offspring easily by preventing the root system from getting too long.

2. Take the Parent Plant Out of the Pod and Break the Soil Apart Slowly

Take your Calathea White Fusion out of the container pot and gently remove the soil till you can see the root balls.

We recommend breaking up the soil by hand, but you can also use a sterilized knife if you need to.

3. Check the Roots for Spoilage and Trim with Scissors if Need Be

Once the root system is exposed, look for black patches.

Keep in mind that healthy roots should feel firm and pale in color. If you find damaged root sections, simply trim them off with a pair of sterilized scissors.

4. Divide the Root Ball Sections and Start Replanting

When you examine the root system, you will find that the roots grow from their own systems. The root balls can be found at the main root crown.

It is important to separate the root balls from one another.

In the end, you can put every new root section in the middle of the pot that you have prepared. Fill the pots up with the rest of the 2/3 of the soil and pat them lightly so that the soil is leveled.

Start watering each plant and watch how they thrive.

Problems that Calathea White Fusion Plants Face

When growing this beautiful house plant, you may encounter some issues. However, as long as you notice the issues in time, you will be able to save your plant.

Here are some common pests the plant can face:

1. Fungus Gnats

If you find that the plant’s leaves are yellowing and wilting, look for tiny black flies buzzing close to the plant. Since Calathea White Fusions grow in warmer temperatures, gnats are attracted to them.

To get rid of these pests, all you have to do is trim affected leaves and add nematodes to the plant. These are microscopic works that consume gnat larvae in the soil. You can also add some sticky traps to the soil.

To prevent these gnats from attacking your plant, spray each leaf and underside with neem oil. You can also use organic leaf polish that works as an insect repellent.

2. Red Spider Mites

Do you see fading leaves on your White Fusion plant along with sticky webbing and brown spots? This could be because there are red spider mites attacking your plant.

To get rid of these mites, you can stick some white paper beneath the leaves and use that to remove the red moving dots. You can also get rid of the remaining mites and webbing using a tepid shower.

Even though mites are common pests, you can prevent them from eating your plant by placing it in a high-humidity area.

3. Aphids

Aphids are small grey/ green flies that hide on leaf undersides and leave behind a sticky substance on the stems and leaves of Calathea White plants.

To get rid of aphids, simply spray some warm, soapy water on your plants. Make sure to spray the underside of the plants as these sneaky pests like hiding there.

Check the undersides often and spray the leaves with neem oil off and on so that aphids do not find their way on the plant.

4. Powdery Mildew  

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that attacks the top of the Calathea White plant leaves. Mildew usually appears in high-humidity areas and shows up as a grey or white layer on top of the leaves.  

After some time, powdery mildew can also cause the plant’s leaves to curl.   

To get rid of powdery mildew, ensure that your plant is placed in a position that allows ample air circulation. Along with regular pruning, switch up the positioning of your plant every now and then to ensure that it is not getting too cramped.  

5. Slugs  

If the weather is too damp or wet, you might notice slugs on your plant. These pests become active at night and eat through the foliage, leaving behind holes in the leaves. If no measure is taken soon, they can also eat through the entire leaves.   

Slugs also leave behind lines of slime on the plant, so it is easy to catch them. Instead of using pesticides on your plant to get rid of these pests, you can simply handpick them. The best time to do this is at night, as these pests become more active when the light disappears and start devouring the plant.  

Another option is leaving traps for slugs, such as cornmeal traps and bear traps. These traps will lure pests away from the plant and kill them, so they do not continue destroying the leaves.  

6. Root Rot

While humidity is good for your Calathea White Fusion, too much moisture is not, as this encourages the growth of bacterial and fungal diseases.

If your plant has faded blooms, stunted growth and black roots, you need to treat its roots as this could be peat moss. Start by pruning spoiled roots and repotting the root sections in some fresh soil.

In the future, provide good drainage and aeration to the soil so that the roots do not rot.

7. Nutrient Deficiency

Are you dealing with dull leaf patterns, stunted growth, and Calathea White Fusion curling leaves?

This shows that your plant requires more nutrients. A quick solution is to get rid of the affected leaves and use fresh soil to repot the plant.

Moreover, monitor your watering routine. Check the soil for dryness and moisture every day. You must use well-draining soil with good moisture retention and plenty of drainage holes.

8. Wilting Leaves

Wilting leaves are a sign that you need to show Calathea White Fusion plants some love. Start by checking the soil for dryness or wetness and treat your plant accordingly.

Moreover, reassess water frequency and switch up temperature and lighting conditions to provide your plant with the best care.

9. Holes in Leaves

Small holes in the Calathea White should not be confused with the brown holes that red spider mites leave behind.

If you find holes in the leaves, simply trim the affected areas and lower fertilizer frequency. Fertilizers usually contain salt that can accumulate on the plant, causing holes to appear out of nowhere.

To prevent your Calathea White from developing holes, stop using fertilizer for a while. Pay attention to humidity and temperature levels, as when the temperature is high but the humidity is low, the leaves of the plant can burn.

Frequently Asked Questions about Calathea White Plants

1. Is the Calathea white rare?

Calathea White is a rare plant that is difficult to find. It is usually sold at an expensive price, especially when compared to other house plants.

2. How do you keep a Calathea White happy?

It is not difficult to grow Calathea White Fusion plants.

All you have to do is prevent the plants from receiving too much light by keeping them away from direct sun, maintaining good temperature and humidity levels, and learning the watering routine your plant best prefers. Remember to always check your plant for root rot!

3. Is it important to mist a Calathea White?

Regular misting can increase the levels of humidity, making it great for your plant.

If you do not own a humidifier, you can mist the leaves thrice a week. However, do not overdo it, as water droplets can find their way to the soil and make it overly moist.

4. Why are Calathea White Fusion plants called prayer plants?

The Calathea White is called a prayer plant because they have a mechanism called nyctinasty, which folds the leaves up at night like a prayer and reopens it at sunrise.

These prayer plants move their leaves with the changing light. However, it is not because of a circadian rhythm.

5. My Calathea White has brown tips. What should I do?

If your Calathea White has brown tips, it shows that your plant is not being watered evenly.

It could also be because you have used incorrect fertilizer on your plant, and it is rejecting it.

Before you apply a water-soluble fertilizer to your Calathea White, make sure to dilute it by half so that the fertilizer is not as strong. Applying undiluted fertilizer to dry soil can result in variegated shades in the foliage, faded blooms, and burnt roots.

6. Why is my peacock plant curling?

If you find that your plant is curling, it could be because you are underwatering it or it is not getting enough sun exposure.

Too much humidity can also cause the leaves of the plant to curl.

7. Are Calathea the same as Maranta plants?

Maranta plants belong to the same family as the Calathea White plant but both of them are different.

Even though they have similar needs and appearances, they are two different plant types.

8. Is Calathea White Fusion toxic to pets?

No, the White Fusion Calathea is not toxic to pets.

9. Can I grow Calathea White Fusion in bright light?

No, bright light will result in poor growth of the plant. Instead, use diffused light and watch how the plant transforms. Diffused light ensures that the leaves do not burn or curl.

Final Thoughts

Calathea White Fusion care is not difficult as long as you do not leave the plant in too much light and provide it with bright indirect light, use horticultural oil to clean its leaves in case of pests, water it with filtered water, and keep an eye out for root rot.

Instead of using regular potting soil, we recommend going fully organic with your soil, pesticide, and fertilizer.

To summarize this Calathea White Fusion care guide, keep a close eye on your White Fusion Calathea, and you will find this plant producing beautiful variegated foliage throughout the year.