How to treat Calathea Ornata with curled, dry leaves?

Rosana1

llo there,

I bought this Calathea a while ago and for some time, it looked just beautiful, but gradually leaves started to curl and look dry, some new growth turned out black and right now, it just doesn't seem to be doing fine.

It is in a very well lit area, big windows, enough light. I control the watering, not overwatering or underwatering. Couldn't find any signs of pest.

A while ago I spayed it with the indoor plants leaves feeder, bought at Bunnings. And this week, as a desperate attempt to save it, used a neem oil spray on the leaves.

What else could I do?

Attaching photos, hope they show more of the issues,

Regards,

Rosana

EricL

Hello @Rosana1 

Thanks for sharing the photo and the background. It sounds like you've been doing a lot to care for your Calathea, and I can absolutely understand how frustrating it is to see it decline despite your efforts. From the appearance of the leaves and your description, it seems like your plant might be reacting to environmental stress or a buildup of product residue on the foliage.

Calatheas are quite sensitive plants, especially when it comes to air humidity, water quality, and leaf treatments. Even if the light is good and you're watering correctly, dry indoor air can cause the leaf edges to turn brown and crispy over time. This often happens in heated or air-conditioned rooms. It also looks like the leaf damage may have worsened after spraying with the indoor leaf feeder and neem oil. While both products can be useful, Calatheas are delicate and can react badly to foliar sprays, particularly if the sprays are applied in strong light or if there's any product residue left behind on the leaves. This can cause a sort of leaf burn or chemical sensitivity.

At this stage, I’d recommend gently wiping the leaves with a soft damp cloth to remove any lingering spray or oil residue. Try to maintain a higher humidity around the plant by placing it near a humidifier, clustering it with other plants, or sitting it above a pebble tray filled with water. Make sure the water you use for the plant is filtered or left out overnight to remove chlorine and fluoride, as Calatheas can be sensitive to minerals in tap water. Avoid misting for now since the plant is already stressed. Let any new growth come through naturally and only trim back the most damaged leaves if needed.

It sounds like you’re genuinely attentive to your plant's needs, and that kind of care usually pays off. With a bit of time, patience, and a gentle hand, your Calathea has a good chance of bouncing back.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric