Calathea Leaves Curling or Yellowing? Common Causes and Simple Fixes

Calatheas are among the most beautiful foliage plants and among the most expressive. Their leaves tell you what is missing before the plant weakens, if you know how to read them. If the leaves curl inward during the day, the plant is thirsty or the air around it is dry. Touch the soil: if it is dry, water; if it is damp, move the plant away from the air conditioner and raise the humidity around it. Leaves folding up in the evening, on the other hand, is normal: they fold at night and open in the morning. Crisp brown tips usually come from the salts and chlorine in tap water. Water with filtered water, or leave tap water in an open jug overnight before using it. Trim brown tips with clean scissors if you like, leaving a sliver of brown so you do not cut into the green. Yellowing lower leaves with soil that is always wet are a sign of overwatering. Let the soil dry a little between waterings and make sure the pot drains. And if the patterns fade and the leaves lose their sheen, the plant needs more indirect light, not direct sun.