The Medallion Plant, scientifically known as Calathea makoyana ‘Medallion’, is a popular houseplant known for its distinctive, ornamental foliage. Its vibrant patterns and rich colors bring tropical beauty indoors, making it a favored choice for home decor.
Understanding Your Medallion Plant
The Medallion Plant, Goeppertia veitchiana (formerly Calathea veitchiana), is an herbaceous perennial in the Marantaceae family, also known as the prayer plant family. Native to tropical South America, it thrives in warm, humid, shaded rainforest environments. Its large, round leaves feature intricate patterns of light and dark green on the upper surface, with striking deep burgundy or magenta undersides.
Like other prayer plants, the Medallion Plant exhibits nyctinastic movement. Its leaves fold upwards at night, resembling hands in prayer, and unfurl in the morning to capture sunlight. This movement is a response to light cycles. Indoors, the plant can grow up to two feet tall with a similar spread, forming bushy clusters.
Optimal Care for Medallion Plants
Caring for a Medallion Plant involves replicating its native tropical conditions. Consistent environmental factors are important for health and vibrant appearance, preventing common issues and encouraging lush growth.
Light Requirements
Medallion Plants prefer medium to bright, indirect light, mimicking dappled rainforest sunlight. A north or east-facing window is ideal, providing bright, filtered light. Too little light may cause leaf patterns to fade.
Avoid direct sunlight, especially intense afternoon sun, as it can scorch leaves. If near a south or west-facing window, use distance or a sheer curtain to diffuse light. Adjust position seasonally for optimal balance.
Watering Techniques
Medallion Plants prefer consistently moist soil, sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering. Water when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry. Water thoroughly until drainage, then promptly empty excess water from the saucer to prevent root rot.
These plants are sensitive to minerals like chlorine and fluoride in tap water. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater to prevent browning leaf tips. Allowing tap water to sit out overnight helps chlorine dissipate. Room temperature water is also beneficial.
Humidity Needs
High humidity is crucial for Medallion Plants, reflecting their tropical origins. An ideal relative humidity is above 50%, ideally 50-60%. Low humidity commonly causes brown leaf tips and edges.
Increase humidity using a humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping plants. Misting provides only a temporary boost. Placing the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom is also beneficial.
Soil Mix
A well-draining, moisture-retentive potting mix is essential for Medallion Plants. The soil must remain consistently moist without becoming waterlogged, which causes root rot. A slightly acidic pH, between 6.0 and 6.5, is preferred.
A suitable homemade mix includes peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention, perlite or coarse sand for drainage and aeration, and a small amount of bark or charcoal. This mimics their natural organic-rich, well-draining habitat. For commercial mixes, choose those designed for tropical plants or aroids, adding extra perlite or bark for drainage.
Temperature Range
Medallion Plants thrive in warm conditions, with an ideal temperature range of 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Avoid temperatures below 60°F (15°C), as they are sensitive to cold and can suffer damage. Sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts from open windows, air conditioning, or heating vents stress the plant, negatively impacting growth. Maintain a consistent indoor temperature for plant health.
Fertilization Schedule
During the active growing season (spring through summer, March to October), Medallion Plants benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer formulated for indoor plants. Fertilize every two to four weeks, diluting per product instructions to prevent over-fertilization and root burn.
Water the plant before fertilizing to distribute nutrients evenly and protect roots. During fall and winter, when growth slows, reduce or cease fertilization. Excess fertilizer can accumulate salts in the soil.
Addressing Common Medallion Plant Issues
Even with careful attention, Medallion Plants can show signs of stress. Understanding common issues and solutions helps maintain plant health and appearance. Most problems trace back to environmental factors.
Browning Leaf Edges
Browning or crispy leaf edges on a Medallion Plant often signal insufficient humidity or water quality. As tropical plants, dry air causes delicate leaf margins to dry and brown. Use filtered or distilled water instead of tap water, which contains minerals like chlorine and fluoride. Increasing ambient humidity with humidifiers or pebble trays often resolves this.
Curling Leaves
Leaves curling inward often indicate dehydration, typically from underwatering where soil dries too much. Low humidity also contributes to curling as the plant conserves moisture. Temperature stress (too cold or hot) can also cause curling. Ensure consistent soil moisture and adequate humidity to prevent this.
Faded Leaf Patterns
Faded or dull leaf patterns commonly result from incorrect light levels. Too much direct sunlight bleaches colors and scorches leaves, causing them to lose vibrancy. Conversely, too little light makes variegation less pronounced as the plant prioritizes chlorophyll production. Adjust position to receive bright, indirect light to maintain pattern intensity.
Pest Management
Medallion Plants are susceptible to common houseplant pests, especially in dry conditions. Spider mites are a frequent issue, identified by fine webbing and tiny dots on leaf undersides. Mealybugs appear as white, cottony masses, while aphids are small, green or black insects causing leaf distortion.
Regularly inspect leaves, especially undersides, to detect pests early. Wiping leaves with a damp cloth physically removes pests and dust, aiding photosynthesis. For infestations, organic insecticides like neem oil or insecticidal soap are effective when applied per instructions. Increased humidity deters spider mites, thriving in dry environments.
Propagation and Repotting
Propagating and repotting Medallion Plants are straightforward processes, best performed during active growth for continued health.
Propagation
Medallion Plants are primarily propagated by division, typically during repotting. Carefully remove the mature plant from its pot and gently tease the root ball into smaller sections. Each section needs healthy roots and at least a few leaves. Plant these divisions into separate pots with fresh potting mix.
While less common, water propagation from stem cuttings is possible, though division is generally more reliable for home growers. Keep newly potted divisions in a warm, humid environment with indirect light for establishment.
Repotting
Medallion Plants benefit from repotting every one to two years, or when root-bound (roots circling the pot or emerging from drainage holes). The best time is spring or early summer, during active growth. Choose a pot only one or two inches larger in diameter, as Medallion Plants prefer a snug fit.
Carefully remove the plant from its old pot, disturbing roots minimally. Place it in the new pot, ensuring the root ball top is at the same level as before, and fill with fresh potting mix. Water thoroughly after repotting and keep it in bright, indirect light for a few days to adjust.