Calathea

Calathea Care

Calathea

What is the plant

Calathea’s origin is tropical forests of Central and South America. It is the most numerous member of the Marantaceae family, with about 130 species being known.

Calathea plants have big oval leaves with a geometrically accurate design; each species has its own pattern that is distinct from the others. The plant is highly appreciated for the beautiful pattern of the leaves both by florists and plant parents.

Another peculiarity of the plant is that certain species experience nyctinasty. It is the circadian rhythmic nastic movement of higher plants in response to the onset of darkness. The leaves fold and rise up like hands in prayer in the evening, thus the common name Prayer Plant. Calathea can reach a height of up to 5 ft (1.5 m) and a width of up to 25 in (65 cm).

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
In the summer, you should water the plant several times a week (2-3) and considerably less frequently in the winter (once a week is enough). The key thing is that the soil lump should have time to dry out. There is no general guideline for watering time. Because waterlogging the soil is harmful, make sure the pot has drainage and holes at the bottom to remove excess water.
Pruning
The plant does not require pruning on a regular basis. All that is necessary is the proper removal of badly damaged and dried leaves.
Fertilizer
Complex liquid fertilizers made for flowering houseplants are ideal for Calathea. In the active development phase, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer, fertilize Calatheas with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer like a 10/10/10 on the NPK ratio (Nitrogen/Phosphorous/Potassium). This can be done on a monthly basis.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Calathea is a tropical plant, hence its love for light and thermophilicity. It needs at least 8 to 10 hours of bright, indirect light with 8 hours of darkness for optimal growth. If there is too much light, the color of the leaf plates will fade and lose its beautiful hue; if there is too little light, the color will fade, and the decorative effect will be lost as well. In this case, it is important to place Calathea in a somewhat shady location. In any event, be sure that direct sun rays do not hit the plant.
Soil
Calathea soil should be well breathable and contain sand or perlite mixed with peat. If you choose a ready potting mix, get the mix for rhododendrons and azaleas. Universal potting mix is also a good choice.
Propagation
Calathea is best propagated by splitting the root system during transplantation. The plant is separated into pieces, each of which is put in its own pot. After repotting, keep a temperature of at least 68°F (20°C). Cuttings and seeds can also be used to reproduce.

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Temperature
Because the plant is thermophilic, it is best to keep temperatures above 60°F (16°C) even in the winter. The plant does not like drafts or extreme temperature changes – its leaves droop almost instantly, the petioles soften and lose their flexibility.
Container
Calathea has a shallow root system. Therefore, you'll need a small container for this plant. The material of the pot isn't important; both plastic and ceramic containers will suffice. It's critical that the Calathea has adequate drainage, so apply a layer of expanded clay that fills the pot.
Fun fact
Some Calathea cultivars have “eyes” on their leaves, similar to peacock feathers. Calathea is also known as the Peacock Plant because of this.