Calathea Plant: Presentation, Care Tips & Growing Guide

Calathea is a popular houseplant, known for its captivating foliage and air-purifying properties. It can be a stunning addition to your home or office, as it has an amazing aesthetic appeal. You can grow it easily, even as a beginner gardener because Calathea care doesn’t require much effort.

Calathea needs medium but indirect light, moist soil, high levels of humidity, and warm temperatures to thrive. It’s a relatively low-maintenance plant, making it perfect for people with busy lifestyles. 

If you’ve never owned a Calathea plant before, don’t worry! This guide will help you understand how to care for Calathea, including troubleshooting common issues.

About Calathea Plants

Calathea plants are tropical beauties that can be found in the South American jungles. They’re often referred to as Prayer Plants. The nickname originates from their unique daily leaf movement, called nyctinasty. Every morning, the plant leaves are upright and spread out. And in the evening, they fold up and droop, resembling the action of praying. 

These pet-friendly plants grow best in hardiness zones 9-11, depending on the plant type. In warmer climates, you can keep Calatheas outdoors, be it on your decking or porch. They’re generally easy-going plants that prefer warm and humid environments to grow properly.

Learn More About the Different Calathea Types

There are many Calathea varieties, each displaying unique foliage and an array of colors and patterns. Some of the most popular Calathea plants are the following:

• Calathea ‘Freddie’ (Calathea concinna 'Freddie') boasting silver gray strokes on the top of the leaves and with purple leaf undersides. 
• Peacock Plant (Calathea roseopicta) features variegated green and yellow leaves on the top and dark red hues on the bottom. 
• Calathea Rattlesnake (Calathea lancifolia) - a rare variety with distinctive lime green markings and darker strokes on the leaf tops and burgundy undersides. 
• Calathea Orbifolia (Calathea orbifolia) with silver stripes on the top of its leaves, while the foliage underside is plain green. 
• Calathea Zebrina (Calathea Zebrina) - a much-loved variety with two-toned green patterns on the top of its velvety leaves. 
• Zebra Calathea (Calathea zebrina) - a stunning variety with broad, parallel, dark green stripes on the top of leaves and reddish-purple leaf undersides. 
• Calathea Cathedral Windows (Goeppertia makoyana; syn. Calathea makoyana) - one of the most popular prayer plants with green strokes against silvery-green leaves.

Calathea Plant: Benefits

Calacathea's popularity as a houseplant is not just due to its gorgeous foliage. The plant offers many more advantages, apart from its aesthetically pleasing looks. Check out below some of the best Calathea plant benefits:

• Air purification: Calathea plants are known for their air-purifying properties. They help remove toxins and improve indoor air quality.
• Pet safety: They are pet-friendly plants, according to the ASPCA, and are perfect for homes with furry companions. 
• Symbol of positivity: They are considered lucky plants for new beginnings and are associated with good fortune and positive energy.
• Boosting properties’ curb appeal: These graceful plants have striking foliage, offering great ornamental value and visual interest.

Calathea Plant Care: Growing and Maintenance Tips 

Calathea prayer plant care does not involve too much hard work, time, or plant expertise. But you should still meet these beautiful plants’ growing requirements and pay attention to their light, temperature, watering, and humidity needs. 

Calathea: Light Requirements and Temperature

Calathea plants prefer medium indirect sunlight and warm temperatures. As they are tropical plants, recreating a similar environment inside your home or office is a vital part of Calathea plant care indoors.  

How Much Light Does a Calathea Need? 

Calathea prefers medium to bright, indirect sunlight. It is tolerant to low-light conditions and should be kept away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, its beautiful foliage can lose color and get scorched. If placed outdoors, ensure it’s in a partially shaded spot with 4-6 hours of morning light.

Can Calathea Grow in Low Light? 

Calathea plants can grow well in low light, making them ideal for indoor spaces with limited light conditions. That's because they originally grow on the floor of tropical jungles, where they receive predominantly filtered light. 

Calathea: Temperature Tolerance 

Calathea plants prefer a little bit of warmth. The ideal indoor temperature range for them is 65°F-75°FMake sure that the temperature does not drop below 60°F to prevent foliage damage, while the outdoor night temperatures don’t go below 45°F Also, avoid sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts.   

Calathea: Watering Needs and Humidity 

Calathea plants prefer consistently moist soil, but they don’t appreciate wet feet. They also enjoy lots of humidity of up to 60%. You can add a pebble tray filled with water, group it with other plants, or use a humidifier if you need to increase the moisture in the air around them.

How Often Do You Water a Calathea?

Water your Calathea once every 1-2 weeks, depending on the climate. Allow the topmost soil layer to dry a little between watering sessions. Spritz the plant occasionally to improve humidity.

Calathea hates tap water as it can contain chemicals. Allowing for tap water to stand for 24 hours. Or, give the plant rainwater or distilled water.   

Do You Bottom Water Calathea?

Calathea loves to be watered from below. Bottom watering is an excellent way to give your gorgeous Calathea prayer plant a drink. This way, the root system absorbs the moisture gradually while the top of the soil remains somewhat dry. This prevents overwatering and the risk of root rot You can also consider using a self-watering planter.

Best Soil and Fertilizer for Calathea 

Calathea plants thrive best in well-draining potting soil. You can grow it in a mix of compost, coco coir, pine bark, worm castings, and perlite. These retain an appropriate amount of moisture and also provide nutrients. Feed your Calathea in the growing season every month or so by using diluted nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Make sure to flush the soil occasionally to remove salt buildup.

Calathea Propagation and Repotting 

The best way to propagate Calathea is by the method of division during repotting. These plants don’t need to be repotted too frequently as they don’t like frequent changes in their environment However, if they outgrow the pot and become rootbound, you need to transfer them to a 2” larger pot. 

This is the ideal opportunity to divide the large plant into sections. Place each division in an individual pot for propagation. To enhance healthy growth, propagate your prayer plant in the growing season, spring or summer. 

How Do You Divide Calathea?

It is easy to divide a Calathea plant. Here’s how to do it:

1. Before you divide your Calathea, water the plant while it's still in its pot and let it sit for an hour. 
2. Gently remove the plant from the pot, releasing the root ball. 
3. Remove any dead or rotting roots. Cut through the roots if the plant is rootbound. 
4. Tease the roots apart and divide the plant into smaller sections. 
5. Plant each section in a separate pot. 

Here’s a video that shows how to grow Calathea by the division method.

 

Calathea Common Problems: What Is Wrong With My Calathea Plant? 

Now you know how to care for Calathea plants to keep them happy and healthy. Still, even though it's not a demanding plant, it can occasionally experience some issues. Understanding the reasons behind these common problems may help prevent them. If identified at an early stage, they may even be reversible before you reach the point of how to save a dying Calathea plant.

Calathea Leaves Curling: Reasons and Solutions

Calathea leaves may curl, due to incorrect watering, humidity issues, temperature changes, or the use of tap water. 

Too much or too little water can cause the leaves of the plant to curl. Always check the top layers of the soil to ensure that it’s moist but neither too dry nor waterlogged. 

Low humidity can cause curling leaves as they try to reduce the surface area to conserve moisture. Placing a pebble tray and spritzing the plant regularly can fix this issue. 

The Calathea plant also hates sudden changes in temperatures. Remove it from spots with exposure to extreme heat or cold. 

Tap water containing high amounts of fluoride and chlorine is another cause. It's best to give your plant rainwater or distilled water, which is chemical-free.    

Why Are My Calathea Leaves Turning Brown and Crispy?

Calathea leaves can turn brown and crispy because of a dry environment. Lack of humidity and low moisture levels in the soil can cause the leaves to dry out. As a result, they become brown and crispy. Overexposure to direct sunlight can also become the culprit behind this problem.

Water the plant every 1-2 weeks, ensuring the soil doesn't get parched. Maintain humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier, and spritz regularly to prevent leaf browning and crisping. 

What Does an Overwatered Calathea Look Like?

The most obvious symptom of overwatering in a Calathea plant is yellowing or leaf wilting. Too much water can leave the soil soggy and cause root rot, leading to foliage discoloration. 

You can place the plant’s pot on a tray of pebbles to let excess moisture drain out. Also, make sure to water the plant sparingly. The soil should be somewhat dry (not parched or soggy) when you give the plant a drink. 

What Are Common Calathea Diseases and Pests?

Calathea plants are susceptible to root rotting, due to fungal infections, and brown patches on the leaves. Pay attention to the humidity, water, and temperature needs, and ensure proper air circulation. Make sure to remove the damaged leaves and roots. 

Calathea plants also occasionally face spider mites, aphids, and other pest infestations. Treat the plant with insecticidal soap.

How to Care for Calathea: FAQs

Q: Can Calathea grow outside?

A: Yes, Calathea plants can grow outside in a warm and frost-free environment. They should be placed in partial shade, away from direct, scorching sunlight. The temperature should not drop below 60°F.

Q: Where should I place my Calathea?

A: Place your Calathea plant in a warm, humid spot with medium to bright but indirect sunlight. The environment should be stable without frequent temperature fluctuations. Keep the plant away from extreme heat and cold. 

Q: How cold can Calathea tolerate?

A: Calathea plants are tropical plants that prefer warmth and can’t handle extreme cold. They cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to temperatures below 45°F if grown outdoors. 

Q: Is Calathea toxic to cats and dogs?

A: No, Calathea is not toxic to house pets and is perfectly safe for cats, dogs, cattle, and horses. These plants are an excellent choice for homes with furry friends. However, ensure your pets don't ingest large quantities of this or any other houseplant.  

Q: Do Calathea like their leaves misted?

A: Yes, Calathea plants like their leaves misted frequently. These tropical plants enjoy high humidity, and spritzing the leaves maintains the moisture levels in the environment around them. 

Conclusion 

Many beginner gardeners feel overwhelmed with taking care of their Calathea prayer plants. However, if you follow the right Calathea care tips, you can make these gorgeous plants flourish.  

Furthermore, you can create a beautiful tropical indoor haven by pairing your Calatheas with complementing plants, such as the Money Tree, Chinese Money Plant, or the similarly looking Red Maranta Prayer Plant. They are not only relatively easy-care beauties but also pet-safe.