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It sounds contradictory, but it makes sense once you look at what Calathea roots want: steady access to moisture without ever sitting in waterlogged, airless soil. The mix needs something that holds water and something that keeps air pockets open.
A common homemade mix is roughly half coco coir or peat (holds moisture), with the rest split between perlite (drainage and air) and fine orchid bark (structure), plus a small amount of worm castings or compost for gentle nutrition. Many growers prefer coco coir to peat because peat can become hard to re-wet once it dries out completely. Treat the proportions as a starting point and adjust to how fast your pot dries.
Avoid heavy garden soil. When repotting, go up only one pot size; too much extra soil stays wet for a long time. Always use a pot with drainage holes. Calatheas are also known for brown leaf edges with some tap water, so many growers use filtered or rain water. If earlier Calatheas struggled, water quality, low humidity and soggy soil are the usual suspects.
A common homemade mix is roughly half coco coir or peat (holds moisture), with the rest split between perlite (drainage and air) and fine orchid bark (structure), plus a small amount of worm castings or compost for gentle nutrition. Many growers prefer coco coir to peat because peat can become hard to re-wet once it dries out completely. Treat the proportions as a starting point and adjust to how fast your pot dries.
Avoid heavy garden soil. When repotting, go up only one pot size; too much extra soil stays wet for a long time. Always use a pot with drainage holes. Calatheas are also known for brown leaf edges with some tap water, so many growers use filtered or rain water. If earlier Calatheas struggled, water quality, low humidity and soggy soil are the usual suspects.
Plant Care Club
Mar 15, 2026