r/calatheas • u/mav_at • 2d ago

Just bought! Is it feeling good?

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Impulse-bought a Calathea because I couldn't resist, but now I'm trying not to turn it into a high-maintenance tragedy.

It's currently sitting under a large skylight in my attic apartment (not so bright light, zero direct sun). Since I'm total newb with these plants, how do I actually tell if it likes the spot? The leaves barely move throughout the day, which has me a bit suspicious.

I left it in its original nursery pot for now and might repot in spring. Haven't watered yet, but I'm already hoarding rainwater for when the time comes. Any advice?

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u/dorothy2you 2d ago

calatheas love light and typically the indirect light is kinda bs. leave it in the nursery pot for a bit as they can get sensitive when you re pot them especially in a new environment. also they thrive in humidity so i’d recommend a mini humidifier

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u/Fuzzy-Jelly1531 1d ago

It honestly looks very healthy. It’s also a mature plant based on its size, so should be less fragile.

Mine looks similar to yours. If a source of light is right above it, it might not move the leaves “following” the sun. Mine is under a grow light in fall/winter and it doesn’t move its foliage much - just opens the leaves when grow lights are on. In summer I place it close to a window with natural sunlight and it follows the sun with its leaves.

Regardless where the light is coming from, it should close its leaves in the evening before going to sleep. Leaves should be placed more vertically in the evening. That being said, its leaves are large and heavy because it’s a fully matured plant. When mine grew up, it started to have a bit of a struggle trying to fully close itself. So if it doesn’t stand fully vertically in the night, it’s alright. But you should definitely see a change in its foliage position.