Calathea White Fusion
The most dramatic calathea, with leaves marbled green and white above and lilac beneath. Pet-safe, and the fussiest plant in this directory about water quality and humidity. Beautiful, and honest about the effort.
White Fusion is the calathea that makes people gasp and then, a month later, sigh. The white marbling is stunning and it is safe for pets. The white sections also burn, brown and crisp at the slightest provocation: tap water, dry air, a draft, a sunbeam.
It can be kept beautifully in a cabinet or a humid bathroom. Anywhere else, go in with your eyes open.
Light
Medium indirect light, softened. A north window, or a shaded spot in a brighter room. The white sections scorch in any direct sun and the pattern fades in too much light. Too little light and new leaves come in greener.
Water
Evenly moist, never dry and never soggy, with filtered, distilled or rain water only. Every four days or so in summer, weekly in winter. Tap water minerals brown the white edges within a week.
Soil and potting
A peat-based mix that holds moisture, with perlite. Repot every eighteen months in spring, gently.
Feeding
A quarter-strength feed every eight weeks in spring and summer, and no more. It burns easily.
Propagation
Division at repotting, kept warm and humid until settled.
In a hot, dry home
A cabinet plant here, full stop. Sixty percent humidity, filtered water and no drafts. In a glass cabinet on a north wall it is fine; on an open shelf in July it browns in days.
Problems and fixes
Brown, crispy white edges
Likely cause: Tap water, dry air or a draft
Fix: Filtered water, higher humidity, away from vents. Trim damaged edges.
New leaves mostly green
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: A little more indirect light, still out of sun.
Leaves curling
Likely cause: Thirst or dry air
Fix: Water and raise humidity.
Webbing
Likely cause: Spider mites
Fix: Shower, treat, raise humidity.
Calathea White Fusion questions
Is Calathea White Fusion safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. Like all calatheas it is non-toxic to pets.
Why are the white parts of my White Fusion turning brown?
Tap water minerals or dry air, almost always. Use filtered water and raise humidity above sixty percent.
Is White Fusion hard to care for?
Yes. It is one of the fussiest houseplants. A humid cabinet or bathroom, filtered water and no drafts make it manageable.
