How Much Light Does Calathea Need? PPFD & DLI

Needs very high humidity. Sensitive to heavy minerals.

  • Peak PPFD: 80–200 µmol/m²/s
  • Peak DLI: 3–6 mol/m²/d
  • Air temperature: 18–26 °C
  • Relative humidity: 70–90 %
  • VPD target: 0.5–0.8 kPa
  • Do not leave the substrate dry for more than 3 days

Targets per growth stage

StageFrom dayPPFDDLIPhotoperiodpHEC
Mature080–200 µmol/m²/s3–6 mol/m²/d12 h6–6.50.8–1.2

Watering

Requires high humidity. Sensitive to tap water minerals (use filtered water).