If you are looking for a houseplant to add colour and texture to your home, the Calathea genus is a master choice. These tropical plants are famous for their striking patterns and their fascinating nocturnal movement: they close their leaves in the evening and unfurl them again with the sun, earning them the nickname "Prayer Plant".
Although Calatheas have a reputation for being demanding, the key to their success lies in one thing: consistent humidity. Follow this guide to keep their leaves intact and their colours vibrant!
Popular Cultivars and Their Unique Patterns
The Calathea genus ('Calathea') offers an incredible diversity of patterns and shapes. These cultivars share similar care needs (high humidity, indirect light):
- Calathea Ornata ('Calathea ornata'): Our featured star! It is famous for its large dark green leaves striped with pink on young shoots (turning white as they mature). The underside is a gorgeous red-purple.
- Calathea Orbifolia: Famous for its large, almost round, bluish-green leaves with very elegant pale green stripes.
- Calathea Majestica 'White Star': Features more elongated leaves with highly contrasting white/cream stripes, perfect for minimalist decor.
- Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant): Offers a complex pattern of dark spots resembling a peacock's eye, with a vibrant purple underside.
- Calathea Lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant): Distinguished by its long, narrow, and wavy, highly graphic leaves.
Use and Benefits: Colour and Movement Daily
Calathea is prized by plant enthusiasts for these reasons:
- Permanent Colour: It offers shades of pink, white, and purple without the challenges associated with flower maintenance (Calathea rarely flowers indoors).
- Moving Plant: Its daily movement (opening during the day, closing at night) makes it a dynamic decorative element, especially if you place it in a room you frequent in the evening.
- Easy Cleaning: Its large leaves can gather dust over time. You can easily remove it by gently wiping them with a damp, soapy cloth.
Is the Calathea an Air Purifier?
While all plants filter the air, Calathea is generally included in lists of plants that help purify indoor air by removing certain toxins, but its greatest strength remains its aesthetic role and its need for humidity, which also benefits the ambient air.
Essential Care: Humidity is the Golden Rule
The key to success with Calathea lies in mimicking its tropical forest environment.
Light: Aim for Perfect Indirect Light
Calathea needs medium, indirect light. It does not tolerate direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its delicate foliage and cause variegated cultivars to lose colour. A little direct morning sun, especially during winter, is beneficial.
Caution: Placed in too much shade, it weakens and its colours fade. An East or North-facing window is ideal.
Watering: Maintain Humidity, But Avoid Excess
The soil must remain relatively moist at all times (never soggy, never dry). You should water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch, soaking the entire root ball.
For optimal watering:
- Use room temperature water, ideally distilled or rainwater, as Calathea is extremely sensitive to chlorine and minerals. These minerals are the frequent cause of brown tips.
- Water thoroughly, ensuring water drains out.
- Immediately discard any excess water that accumulates in the saucer: the pot must not sit in water to prevent rot.
Humidity and Temperature: Constant Tropical Warmth
Calathea is tropical and does not tolerate cold. Aim for a constant minimum temperature of 18 °C (65 °F). It should never be placed near a frosty window or an air conditioning vent.
Crucial Humidity: It requires high atmospheric humidity at all times. Without it, the foliage dries out, and brown marks form on the leaf margins. During the winter, using a humidifier is strongly recommended. Calathea is a good candidate for a bright bathroom.
Fertilization, Repotting, and Propagation
Fertilization: Apply an all-purpose or green plant fertilizer at half strength, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, in spring and summer.
Repotting: Calathea is often sold in a pot that is slightly too small for its root mass: it is best to repot it into a larger pot soon after purchase. Afterward, repot annually in the spring, changing the old soil. A standard indoor potting mix (mixed with some perlite) will work perfectly.
Propagation: The most common method is division, preferably in spring or summer during repotting. Gently separate the root clumps to create new plants.
Safety: Good news! Calatheas are generally non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats, making it a safe option for homes with pets.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Brown Leaf Tips or Margins: The main cause is a lack of atmospheric humidity or sensitivity to salts/minerals in tap water. Use a humidifier and water with distilled or rainwater.
- Droopy Foliage: Can be a sign of extreme thirst, but more often a temperature shock or overly saturated soil. Check drainage and ensure the temperature does not drop below 18 °C (65 °F).
- Loss of Pink Colour: Lack of light. Move the plant closer to a brighter indirect light source.
- Pests: Calatheas can be vulnerable to spider mites if the air is too dry. Increase humidity and wipe the underside of the leaves with a damp cloth.
