How to prune calathea orbifolia

Any time of year as damaged leaves appear. Cut the entire leaf stalk (petiole) at soil level using clean scissors. Do not tear or pull, as this can damage the rhizome. Never cut into healthy green leaves to try to shape the plant — it will not branch from a leaf wound.

As needed when individual leaves age, yellow or are damaged. Calathea orbifolia is a rhizomatous perennial that does not respond to pruning in the conventional sense. New leaves grow from the base, not from stems. Simply remove yellowing, old or damaged leaves by cutting the stalk at soil level. Beyond that, no pruning is needed or beneficial — the plant shapes itself.

Cut the entire leaf stalk (petiole) at soil level using clean scissors. Do not tear or pull, as this can damage the rhizome. Never cut into healthy green leaves to try to shape the plant — it will not branch from a leaf wound.