Calathea Freddie prefers partial shade with moderate to bright indirect sunlight. While your plant can tolerate low lighting, it does not handle direct sunlight well. Too much direct sunlight, especially the intense afternoon sun, can lead to crispy brown or burnt leaves.

We suggest watering once a week, but keep in mind that depending on where you leave and how much sunlight your plant is getting, you may need to increase or decrease watering. Always check the top 1-2 inches of your Calathea’s soil. Dry soil means it’s time to water. As a tropical plant, Calathea Freddie prefers consistently moist, but not overly saturated soil. Make sure your Calathea is in a pot or planter with drainage to avoid its roots sitting in standing water and developing root rot.

Temperatures of 65°-85° are ideal for Calathea Freddie. Avoid placing your plant in spots under air vents or near heaters, as your plant is very sensitive to extreme drops or increases in temperature. Keeping your plant for a prolonged period of time at temperatures below 60° are not ideal and may result in leaf loss or other negative side effects. Move your Calathea Freddie indoors or to a warmer spot if you live in an area where temperatures drop and frost is imminent, as Calathea Freddie is not a winter hardy plant, and will not survive freezing. As a tropical variety, your plant prefers high levels of humidity. You can maintain high levels of humidity by using a pebble tray under your plant, placing a humidifier near your plant, or giving your Calathea an occasional misting.

Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer with a weak, nitrogen-rich fertilizer diluted to half strength or give ¼ of the suggested dose of a liquid houseplant fertilizer at the beginning of spring and again mid-summer. Avoid the fertilizer coming in direct contact with the Calathea’s leaves as fertilizer can cause burns on your Calathea’s foliage. Your plant doesn’t require a lot of feedings; yellowing leaves can be an indicator that you’ve overfed your Calathea. Don’t fertilize during the fall and winter months, as this is generally time for your Calathea to rest and recharge before the next growing season.