These calathea care tips will help keep your houseplant thriving.
Calathea plants(Calatheaspp.)
have quickly become one of the most popular houseplants due to theirdiverse leaf forms and colors.
Credit: Denny Schrock
For this reason, calathea is also sometimes called prayer plant, leading to some confusion in the trade.
Like their relatives, calatheas require some extra effort to keep them healthy in the home environment.
Keep the plants in a warm, well-lit location away from heater vents and strong fans.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Calathea Care Tips
Light
Calatheas preferbright, indirect light.
Soil and Water
Calatheas preferwell-drained soiland quickly become unhealthy in overly saturated conditions.
Standard potting soil can be amended for better drainage by combining three parts potting soil to one part perlite.
Keep the calatheas moist at all times and water as needed rather than on a set schedule.
Drench the soil thoroughly during each watering and allow all excess water to drain away from the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Calatheas are tropical plants that thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Keep them in a warm location where temperatures rarely drop below 65F.
A horticultural heating pad can be beneficial in cooler locations.
Fertilizer
Most potted plants benefit from occasional fertilizer applications, and calatheas are no exception.
Calatheas tend to slow their growth during cooler months, and fertilizing should cease during this time.
Calatheas are relatively slow growers, so they only need to be repotted every one or two years.
Soggy compost can also cause root rot, which will be evident if the plant base is blackened.
Allow the compost to dry out before adding any more water.
Pests common to calatheas includemealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.
Before using pesticides, spray the plants with warm, pressurized water to physically wash away the pests.
How to Propagate Calathea
Calatheas are bestpropagated by dividing mature plants.
Remove the plant from the pot and gently shake it to loosen the soil.
Gently pull apart the root ball with your hands to divide off individual plants.
Use clean scissors or shears to cut any connected stems or roots.
Water the individual pots to remove air pockets and keep the plants in a warm, bright location.
Here are a few common species you might find.
This makes it an extremely attractive houseplant.
It looks a bit like its relatives, theprayer plants, mixed with an unrelatedsmall banana plant.
No, calatheas are nontoxic and do not pose a threat to humans or other animals.
Calatheas require a high level of humidity to thrive.
