Low humidity
Crispy edges in dry air, even with clean water, are a humidity complaint — and Calathea is demanding here.
Diagnosis
Low humidity
What's happening
Calathea Medallion is a tropical rainforest plant that wants humidity well above the average home, especially in winter. In dry indoor air, particularly near a heating vent or air conditioner, the thin leaf margins lose water faster than the roots can replace it, so the edges and tips brown and crisp.
How to fix it
Raise the humidity around the plant: group it with other plants, set the pot on a tray of pebbles and water, or — most reliably — run a small humidifier nearby, aiming for 50% or higher. Move it away from vents and drafts, and keep it out of dry, breezy spots. Trim the worst of the browned edges with clean scissors, following the leaf's natural shape, while healthy new growth fills in.
What fixes it
- A small room humidifier — A small humidifier near the plant is the most dependable fix for a Calathea — it's far fussier about humidity than most houseplants.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Calathea Medallion care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this