Calathea Care Guide
Commonly known as Prayer Plants, the Calathea (Latin Calathea Lutea) is an ornate leafy genus of plants belonging to the Marantaceae family, native to South America.
There are several species of this genus, offering a variety of colours across species, including green, pink, purple, and red.
Calathea Gallery
Calathea Leopardina Calathea White Star Calathea Orbifolia Calathea Marion
Whilst some species remain low-growing and clustered, others can grow taller (up to three feet) and more spaced out. However, they are slow growers, so smaller species are ideal for table tops and plant stands. The beauty of this plant is that for any home, you can find the right species to fit with your space and décor.
Below, we provide the best care tips for keeping your Calathea happy and healthy.
Lighting
Despite originating in tropical climates, Calatheas prefer low to medium lighting. This is because in their natural habitat, Calatheas grow beneath the canopies of much larger plants and trees. Calathea have very fragile leaves, so it’s important not to place them in direct sunlight. Signs that your Calathea is getting too much light:
• The leaves curling in on themselves during the day
• Dry or brown leaf edges
• Dullness in the colour of the leaves
• Yellowing or translucent leaves
How to provide the right amount of light for Calathea:
Ensure the plant receives only dappled light throughout the day, or is placed near a window which provides bright, indirect light either in the morning, or the afternoon.
We recommend and have used all of the below lights, especially the SANSI bulb as this is a great way to adapt a standard lamp or light fitting.
Watering
Type of water Calatheas need:
Calatheas are quite sensitive and require either fresh rainwater or evaporated tap water (allowing tap water to stand before use allows the chlorine, which is not plant-friendly, to evaporate).
When to water your Calathea:
As a rule of thumb, for smaller pots you should water your Calathea when the top inch of soil has dried. For larger pots, allow the top two inches to dry before watering.
How to water your Calathea:
You should keep your Calathea in a well-drained pot. When watering, take out of the decorative pot and water fully, allowing all the water to drain through before placing them back. The soil should be moist but not wet. Overwatering can lead to root rot and droopy leaves, whilst under watering will result in brown leaf tips or edges. This plant cannot handle drought, so be sure to maintain water levels closely.
Humidity
Calathea prefer a warm, humid atmosphere. The ideal temperature for these plants is 60° F / 15°C and above.
How to create humidity for your Calathea:
To create natural humidity, simply give the leaves a light misting once per week. These plants thrive in bathrooms, and placing them near other plants will increase humidity, too.
We recommend any of the below humidifiers. We have tried all of them and depending on your space these can really help if you are a forgetful mister!
Soil
The soil you use for your Calathea should be porous and well-draining. You can buy pre-made indoor potting mix, or create your own with:
• 50 percent potting soil
• 20 percent orchid bark
• 20 percent charcoal
• 10 percent perlite
Propagation
To propagate your Calathea, you will need a well-established mother plant. Calatheas can be quite easily split into smaller plants before repotting, which is best done in the Spring, ready for growing season. Note, you cannot take a cutting to propagate Calathea, and seeds a very hard to get hold of.
How to propagate your Calathea:
• Water the plant the day before you plan to divide it, to encourage quicker recovery and reduce stress.
• On the day, gently tip your Calathea on its side and slide it out of the pot.
• Brush away the loose soil and gently separate the roots a bit.
• Divide the stems and roots along the natural divisions, using your fingers, working slowly and gently. You should not need to break any roots to separate out the root balls.
• When potting, ensure offspring are planted with the same potting mix as the mother plant, and include some from the original pot to reduce stress. The pots such provide a 2-inch diameter around the root balls.
Colours and Variegation
All calatheas have some level of variegation in their leaves, which is partly what makes the plant so popular to keep. With such a stunning variety, it’s no wonder that these plants have become a potted favourite in many homes across the world. Notable species with some impressive variegation includes the Calathea Ornata, commonly referred to as the Pinstripe Calathea. This lovely plant has deep pink hues in the vein, making them exceptionally pretty and a stand-out feature in any home. Other varieties such as the Peacock Calathea have scalloped edging and feathering on the top of the leaves, with reds and purples underneath, whilst the Calathea Orbifolia has broad leaves striped with light and medium green. There’s truly a species for every preference!
Toxicity
Calathea are not toxic to humans or pets – hooray!
Special Information
During the night, the leaves of Calatheas fold or curly upwards towards one another. This is why they hold the common name of Prayer Plant. In the morning, the leaves unfurl in search of the sun. This activity is made possible by a small "joint" which the plant possesses between the stem and leaf. Very impressive!
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