Calathea Medallion: How To Grow And Care For Calathea Veitchiana

Calathea Medallion is an indoor foliage plant originating from the New World tropics.

Medallion belongs to the Marantaceae family, also called the prayer plant family.

Calathea medallion, rose painted prayer plant from BrazilPin
Medallion Calathea, rose painted prayer plant | jaapbleijenberg-DepositPhotos

Calathea Medallion is a perennial, flowering plant grown from tuberous, underground roots. It grows indoors or outdoors. The medallion is a selected cultivar of Calathea Veitchiana.

Other popular types of calathea plants include the Calathea rattlesnake plant (Calathea lancifolia) and the pinstripe Calathea plant (Calathea ornata). 

Calathea Medallion Care


Care for Calathea Medallion plants is quite easy. Calatheas have three main requirements. Those are proper watering, high humidity, and indirect sunlight. 

Size and Growth

A calathea medallion grows from 6″ to 36″ inches tall with beautiful leaf colors. At night time, the leaves fold up like folded praying hands.

Flowering and Fragrance

The calathea medallion flower more often when grown outdoors. An indoor medallion calathea plant will never flower and has no fragrance. 

Light and Temperature

Calathea Medallion plants prefer medium to low indirect light. Placing the plant in direct sunlight causes scorching or leaf burn. If scorching happens, move the plant from direct sunlight.

Inside the home, calathea medallion will thrive in a room with plenty of light. The light will keep the markings and patterns vibrant. Medallion also has leaves with colorful undersides.

Medallion Calathea grows best in temperatures between 65° and 80° degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in most homes is fine for calatheas. 

To keep plants safe, keep them away from heaters or radiators and out of hot sunlight. 

It is worth noting calathea medallion plants are sensitive to temperature changes. They do not enjoy cold drafts to wilt their leaves. If the air is too hot, their leaves could start to curl. 

Watering and Feeding

Water calathea medallion when the top 1″ of the soil is dry. When watering, make sure excess water runs out the bottom. This ensures the roots get proper nourishment leaving the soil moist, not soggy. 

People commonly water houseplants on a regular watering schedule. Watering too frequently can cause root rot and fungus gnats. 



NOTE: Use distilled water or rainwater over tap water. City tap water contains chlorine, fluoride, salts, and minerals, which cause leaf edges to burn, turn brown or curl. If possible, use lukewarm water. More on watering Calatheas.

Properly feeding your calathea medallion helps the foliage stay vibrant. 

Fertilize your plant one to two times per month in the spring and summer. It is best to use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or choose a foliar feed for year-round feedings. 

Soil and Transplanting

The best soil for growing calathea medallion is one made with peat moss and perlite. You want porous potting soil to drain well by also keeping the soil moist and allowing the plant to have enough moisture.

Start with a mixture of 3 parts peat moss and two parts perlite.

If you are purchasing a commercial soil mix, we recommend using an African violet mix. 

How big of a pot should you use?

If you want your plant to stay the same, divide it, and repot it in fresh soil. For a bigger plant, choose a pot larger one size larger in diameter from the previous pot. 

Grooming and Maintenance

Remove dead or brown leaves using a sharp pair of shears or scissors. Cut the leaf stem where it meets the main stem. 

Repotting a calathea is not necessary but can be done once a year. When repotting, check the roots for any disease or decay signs. If there are signs, cut the bad roots off and plant them in fresh soil.

Related: Check out Calathea Network (Musaica) for a plant with unique leaf patterns

How to Propagate Calathea Medallion

It is possible to transplant a calathea medallion successfully. The process is relatively simple, with a division of roots. Once you divide the roots, plant each section in a new pot with fresh soil. 

Propagation of calathea medallion is relatively easy.

  • Remove the plant from the pot.
  • Cut the tuber, or divide the root system, so you have two sections with roots.
  • Repot the divisions in the appropriate potting mix
  • Water the plants well.
  • Place in a warm spot in bright indirect light. 
  • Mist daily until new growth appears. 

Calathea Medallion Pests or Diseases

The most common pests for the calathea medallion are aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites. Control these insect pests using a neem oil spray or wiping the foliage with a damp cloth. 

Other common problems are curling leaves, brown edges on foliage, and pale droopy leaves. 

These problems come from over or under-watering. 

  • If you have curling or brown edges, your plant is thirsty. 
  • Droopy leaves are a sign your plant is too wet.