Calathea is a tropical plant with vibrant, colourful foliage. This houseplant, also called the Prayer plant, is easy to care for and helps in purifying the air. Read on to learn more about different species of the Calathea plant and how to grow and care for it in your garden.
See also: Pin-Stripe Calathea
What is a Calathea plant?
The Calathea plant is a popular indoor plant known for its stunningly vibrant foliage and leaves. Belonging to the family of plants called Marantaceae, Calathea is flowering plant from tropical areas like Africa. They are renowned for their wide, colourful leaves. It can survive in low-light conditions, making it a favourite for home and office decoration.Â
Calathea plant: Key facts
| Calathea family | Marantaceae |
| Common name | Prayer plant, peacock plant, zebra plant, rattlesnake plant and pinstripe plant. |
| Scientific name | Calathea |
| Native to | South and Central America, Africa and the West Indies. |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect light |
| Water | Prefers distilled or purified water |
| Soil | Loamy, well-drained soil. Calathea prefers a slightly acidic pH of around 6.5 |
| Humidity | Calathea prefers moist air, between 50-80% humidity. Place plants in a bathroom, mist the leaves or set pots on a tray of pebbles filled with water. Don’t allow the bottom of the pot to sit in water to prevent root rot. |
| Toxicity | Though all parts of the Calathea plant are safe for pets and children, consumption is not recommended.
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| Foliage | Oval leaves, up to 12 inches, are pointed or lance-shaped in green or purple colour and with burgundy or purple undersides. Spotted or striped patterns in hues of silver, pink, yellow or cream, the leaves move in response to light, fold up at night and open wide during the day. |
| Flowers | Calathea does bloom in the wild but they tend not to bloom much indoors. There are some exceptions, such as the Crocata species of Calathea, which can produce beautiful orange-coloured flowers. |
See also: All about Gomphrena Globosa
What are some of the species of Calathea plant?
Calathea is one of the most loved indoor plants and breathtaking species of the Marantaceae family, native to the Brazilian rainforest. They have been reclassified to the genus Goeppertia, therefore, botanically known as Goeppertia. About 200 species, formerly assigned to Calathea, are now in the genus Goeppertia. There are several dozen species in this genus. We have listed a few of the Calathea varieties, which are simply stunning and the designs on the leaf are sure to brighten up any space.
Calathea Lancifolia (Rattlesnake plant)
Rattlesnake is the most popular variety of the Calathea. The Calathea Rattlesnake has long, wavy green leaves with a pattern of deep green brushstrokes on top, similar to the snakeskin, and a deep purple underside.
Calathea Roseopicta (Medallion plant)
Calathea ‘Medallion’ leaves are speckled with greens and creams with a subtle touch of rosy red. The dark green leaves are tinted and lined with silver and emerald green. The underside is dark purple. The Calathea Medallion is known for its big medallion leaves, which are considered the most decorative leaves in the plant kingdom. At night, their sides fold up, revealing the underside beauty of the leaves.
Calathea Makoyana (Peacock plant or Cathedral Window plant)
The Peacock plant displays the elegance and grace of a peacock’s feather. The leaves are oval-shaped and pale green with a dark green feathered effect from the middle of the leaf to the outer edges. The leaves are opaque. It is also known as Cathedral Window Plant due to its leaves unfurling in a spire shape as it grows.
Calathea Oranata (Pinstripe plant)
This tropical houseplant is known for its striking silvery to pink leaf veins that look like pinstripes. Calathea Ornata is one of the larger Calathea varieties and makes an amazing houseplant. It has large, dark green, glossy leaves with white, fish-bone-like stripes that have pink overtones. The leaves open through the day and close at night in a position of praying hands.
Calathea Zebrina (Zebra plant)
Calathea Zebrina is a lush foliage plant that sports large ovate leaves at the very tips of long stalks. The velvety patterned leaves with bright hues of green are marked with stripes that resemble zebra stripes.
Calathea Setosa (Compact Star plant)
Calathea Setosa or Compact Star is a splendid clump-forming house plant. It is native to Brazil but is seen around the world with names, such as Ctenanthe Setosa, Calathea Compact Star or Never-Never plant. Grey Star is a cultivated variety of the Setosa, which has long, elliptical leaves ending in a point, with a pale silver hue, darker leaf veins and a reddish-purple base.
Calathea Rufibarba (Furry Feather)
Calathea Rufibarba enhances the indoor tropical appeal. Its common name is Velvet Calathea or Furry Feather due to the fur-like texture of the leaf bottoms. This Brazilian native has an upright clumping form with semi-glossy, spear-like foliage that is green on top and burgundy underneath. The stems of a Rufibarba are long and slender and burgundy in colour. The stems and the leaves’ underside are covered in hair-like fuzz.
Calathea Crocata (Eternal Flame)
Calathea Crocata is adored because of its flaming hot, orange-yellow flowers. It is also called the Tasmania Plant or the Eternal Flame Plant based on the flowering colour and shape. Native to Brazil and tropical America, this is a gorgeous household plant, loved for its lush foliage.
Does Calathea like the sun or shade?
Calatheas do well in medium, indirect sunlight but can tolerate lower light levels too. Keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid fading of the stunning leaf colours or scorching. Avoid direct light. Expose them to medium, indirect light for ideal growth. Calatheas grow on the forest floor of tropical rainforests and get low light due to the tall tropical trees.
How to care for Calathea?
Here are the basic guidelines to care for Calathea plants and keep them pest free.
Calathea plant: Water requirements
Water more often in bright light and less often in low light. Water thoroughly when the top inch of the soil is dry and add water till it seeps out of the drainage hole of the pot. Calathea is sensitive to water quality. Use distilled water, rainwater or filtered tap water that has been dechlorinated. Calathea can be a little more demanding than other houseplants. If there are other chemicals in your tap water, use filtered or distilled water.
Calathea plant: Soil requirements
Calathea likes moist but not soggy soil. Calatheas prefer a well-draining potting soil or mix. Look for ingredients like compost, pine bark, coco coir, worm castings and perlite. These provide nutrients and help maintain moisture. They need fertilization when growing or blooming. Nurture the plants with a liquid fertilizer for their share of nutrients.
Also check these gardening ideas and tips for beginners
Calathea plant: Common problems
Yellow and brown leaves of Calathea could be due to overwatering or underwatering. Water once a week. Check if the soil is dried out halfway down between waterings. The plant requires relatively constant, slightly damp soil, but its leaves become yellow and its roots weaken in very soggy soil.
Calathea leaf curling is also a sign of underwatering, which results in a protective mechanism to prevent water loss. Too much water might cause the roots to rot, resulting in curled leaves. A healthy Calathea turns its leaves gently to collect ambient sunlight, whereas a sick Calathea curls its leaves firmly to indicate concern. Keep the plant away from heating and cooling vents and drafts.
Sun damage and a pest infestation can cause holes in Calathea leaves. Never keep Calathea under direct sunlight, since the leaves will sear and holes will appear in the foliage.
Slugs and snails cause holes in leaves. Spray the plant with a horticultural oil spray. If you notice small insects that look like fruit flies, it’s possible that the high soil humidity made for an ideal home for fungus gnats. Spider mites and mealy bugs can attack Calathea. Spray the plant with neem oil and clean the leaves with liquid soap with no additives or scents. Remove completely infected plants and destroy them.
see also about: pruning
Calathea plant: Benefits
The Calathea plant is a popular indoor plant that can add greenery and liven up any space. The colourful and vibrant foliage can make the environment relaxing and inviting and add an instant joyful vibe.
Calathea leaves are used as food wraps or for woven baskets as it has geometric shapes and dazzling combination of colours. Even thatched roofs are made with Calathea leaves.
The Calathea plant purifies the surrounding air by filtering out a multitude of poisonous compounds. It promotes a healthier environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
The ornamental houseplant is regarded for its medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral.
Also read about the medicinal benefits of Gomphrena Globosa plant
How to propagate Calathea plants?
The best way to propagate Calathea is by division, especially when repotting. Divide one or more sections of the plant from the mother plant and place them in separate pots. Remove the entire plant from the pot and identify any separate section that has a root system. Gently divide the plant where it has created a natural separation in the roots. Many Calatheas have fragile roots, preventing damage, that might negatively impact the growth of the divisions. Place the roots of the offspring plants into the new pots and fill the pot with soil to the same level as the plant. Try to cover Calathea divisions with a clear plastic bag until new growth. This will mimic greenhouse conditions and will hold in heat and humidity. You can also grow Calathea plants from seeds, although it can be difficult to source Calathea seeds.
How long does it take for a Calathea plant to grow fully?
The growth of the Calathea plant depends on the species you want to grow. Like other low-light plants, the growth of Calathea plants is fairly slow. They usually grow to a height of around 2 feet before stopping. Once it has reached this height, all you need to do is to prune crispy, brown or yellow leaves. As for flowers, these plants bloom in the wild but not so much indoors. Exceptions include species like Calathea Crocata, which produces stunning orange flowers. Most other species of Calathea plants just have bright, colourful leaves in various shades like green and purple.
How to grow a Calathea plant indoors?
Most problems in the care of Calathea plants arise from underwatering, overwatering, or the lack of correct humidity and temperature. When growing these plants indoors, just make sure to give them the right amount and type of water. Try to maintain the right indoor air temperatures and humidity level. Choose spots like cubicle areas, lobbies, or meeting rooms that are high in humidity and receive indirect sunlight. Atriums serve as a great indoor location as well.
FAQs
Is Calathea good for indoors?
Calathea prefers indirect lighting, which makes it perfect for indoor usage and office buildings. Calathea plants are generally easy to care for and look exotic with their leaf designs.
Why does Calathea leave stand-up at night?
Calathea leaves change their position depending on the sun. Calatheas are often referred to as ‘Prayer Plants’ as they close their leaves at night and open them again in the morning, resembling a prayer-like gesture. This movement is aided by the swollen nodes at their leaf base, which modifies the water pressure so that the leaves can absorb maximum sunlight by inclining towards the sun.
Where should I place my Calathea?
Calathea plants thrive in humidity, prefer indirect lighting and grow best in a shady room. Place the plants away from open windows with direct sunlight. Place the potted plants on top of a pebble-filled saucer. Calatheas find the bathroom humidity apt for healthy, full foliage.
What does the Calathea plant symbolize?
The Calathea Plant is a symbol of a new beginning and is particularly gifted when offering thanks or gratitude. The idea of a new beginning comes from the expression ‘to turn over a new leaf’, which is what the Calathea plant does when it gets dark. In some cultures, it is linked with positive energy and good luck.
