If you want to care for a Calathea, then the White Fusion cultivar is a great option because of the bold and intricate marketing and full growth.
These houseplants can be calming, inviting, and lush, but they also require care if you want them to stay healthy and beautiful.
In this article, you will learn:
- What Calathea White Fusion is and what it looks like
- How to grow and care for the houseplant
- Some common problems to keep an eye out for
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is Calathea White Fusion?
Calathea is tropical houseplants that are often called by other names for their markings that resemble animals, including peacocks, zebra, and rattlesnakes.
They rarely bloom flowers when grown indoors, which is the most common way you see Calatheas used. The White Fusion, also called Calathea lietzei, is one of the most sought-after calathea cultivars, and for good reason.
Not only is it the rarest variety, but it is also the only Calathea with a variegated pattern.
Calathea White Fusion leaves are green with gorgeous white patches and patterns. The bottom of the leaves has veins around the stems that may show a purplish, pinkish, or magenta shade.
They are not always the easiest houseplants to care for, but they are lovely and can grow rapidly when cared for properly. They also live for decades if you care for them correctly, which is why this guide is so important.
This variety of Calathea as well as other Marantaceae plants holds the nickname “prayer plants.”
This is because they fold up ready for prayer during the nighttime hours. This activity is known as nyctinasty. They follow this daytime rising and nighttime folding habit every day, much like humans!
In addition, they can grow quite large if you want them to, up to 2 feet tall. They are healthiest in partial sunlight, even when grown and cared for indoors.
Since this is only possible if you know how to care for them, it is critical that you know how before choosing this species and cultivar as your next home plant companion.
Read More >> Peperomia Piccolo Banda: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About
How to Care for Calathea White Fusion?
All Calatheas are known for the specific care they need to be healthy and gorgeous, and the White Fusion type is the same way.
It likes moisture and dampness, but moderate amounts of space, temperatures, and other factors. We cover those factors in detail here to make sure that your wonderful White Fusion plant does not get ill.
Light
The optimal amount of life is possibly the most important factor for a healthy Calathea White Fusion houseplant.
If it doesn’t have the right amount of light, then it may lack healthy development and the colors may also appear dull. Too much light, on the other hand, can cause it to curl up.
It needs filtered bright light, so you should put it near a window. However, try to avoid putting it right next to a window that gets near-constant sunlight all day long.
Soil
The soil you use for Calathea White Fusion also matters. If you purchase a soil mix that is designed or suggested for African violets, then it is likely to work well for the rare calathea cultivar as well.
This is because this type of soil retains moisture and dampness, but readily drains excess water so that the plant does not drown or soak up too much liquid.
You can also make your own soil that is optimal for Calatheas by combining orchid bark, perlite, and standard potting soil.
This creates a peaty and airy soil mixture that works well for all Calatheas, including White Fusion.
Water
You will want to have constant moisture to keep the soil around Calathea White Fusion damp, but also want to avoid any soggy or waterlogged soil conditions because those can kill or damage your plant because too much water causes root rot and contaminates growth.
The pot will need drainage holes to avoid these types of issues and you will want to water thoroughly and inspect for drainage every time you do so.
You will water the plant when the top inch of soil is completely dry, which is around 1 every week during the warmest months.
Calathea White Fusion does not grow as fast during water, so you may only need to water every couple of weeks.
It is fine to use tap water, but some people claim that rainwater or distilled water are healthier because they do not contain potential chemicals found in tap water.
Temperature
Like many other house plants, Calathea White Fusion is susceptible to extreme or harsh temperatures and conditions.
It does like warm temperatures, but too much heat, like you may prefer during the winter months to stay warm, can be bad for it due to the combination of heat and dryness.
This is especially true if there are rapid or major fluctuations in the temperature.
You want to try to keep the humidity up and can do so by putting pebbles in a tray that can replace the moisture or you can buy a humidifier that keeps the area or room at the right humidity level.
Read More >> Peperomia Pepperspot: The Ultimate Growing Guide
Fertilizer
Your Calathea White Fusion will require monthly fertilization during the warm and hot months (Spring to Fall).
You will want to select a nitrogen-rich, liquid fertilizer that is curated for house plants with dense foliage.
The houseplant will only need about half the strength of the recommended amount on the packaging, but this will keep it healthy year-round.
General Care
There are some additional care tips that can help you keep your lovely Calathea houseplant of the White Fusion variety luscious and colorful.
First, you should occasionally wipe down the leaves to remove dust and debris. This not only makes the plant more presentable and attractive, but also provides more surface area on the leaves for them to breathe.
You should avoid leaf shine products because they can cause damage.
Calathea White Fusion plants may undergo discoloration from time to time. That is normal and okay, so do not freak out. Brown tips are expected, especially during the winter.
If the leaves turn brown or curl excessively, particularly away from the tip, then you can cut them off at the stem.
Prune any dead or dying leaves quickly after you notice them and remove them from the soil. They will fill in rapidly.
Common Problems with Calathea White Fusion
Since you want a healthy Calathea White Fusion plant, you want to keep an eye out for certain problems that you may encounter due to improper care or normal health and growth issues.
Brown Leaves
This is most common when Calathea White Fusion has too much fluid, especially if it is happening to most or all leaves even if it is at different speeds.
You need to cut off dead leaves and remove them from the pot. Leaving dead leaves in the area can contribute to rotting, bad-smelling odors, fungus, and bacteria.
Too much sunlight can also cause leaves to turn brown and if this is the cause, simply moving them away from the window will help.
Wilting Leaves
If the leaves are dropping or wilting, the most likely reason is that you forgot to water them! As long as it hasn’t been too long, watering it again and keeping it watered properly from now on will rejuvenate the plant.
It may also help to improve the humidity by buying a humidifier.
Disappearing Patterns
If Calathea White Fusion gets too much sunlight, then it produces too much chlorophyll to properly see the white and magenta colorations.
This means that you ended to reduce the light exposure, even if only minimally. The coloration and beauty should come back fairly quickly when you make a simple change.
Pests
Due to the preference for high humidity and moisture content, fungus gnats are a common problem with Calathea White Fusion.
They do not do damage to the plant, but they can be very annoying. Neem oil application on the leaves will deter the frustrating gnats.
Other pests to keep an eye out for include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. These can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Infection
The high humidity creates an environment that makes Calathea White Fusion susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
If the houseplant develops Pseudomonas leaf spots, then you will have to get rid of the plant because it cannot be cured, and keeping it will increase the risk of spreading the infection to other plants you may have around the house.
You can prevent this disease from striking by watering the soil only and avoiding any moisture on the leaf surfaces.
Alternatively, you can water from the underside of the plant by allowing it to such up moisture from a tray.
Root rot can cause problems as well. To determine if the discolored leaves, lack of foliage growth, and potential rotting is root rot, take the plant out and examine the roots. If the roots are brown, they need treatment fast.
Using sterile pruning snips or a knife, you can cut away all parts of roots that are brown, soft, or uncharacteristic.
Yellow roots are acceptable, so leave them alone. Then, you can wash the pot with a mixture of warm water and soap and then replace the soil and use antifungals.
Final Thoughts on Calathea White Fusion
Calathea White Fusion is a great houseplant option for experienced houseplant enthusiasts and newcomers to the pleasure of keeping vegetation around the home.
It offers dense and luscious foliage and greenery along with decorative white patterns and pinkish coloration.
Since it requires proper care, you will need to ensure you give it the right amount of water, sun, and fertilizer at all times.