Many plants can be used indoors for decoration and landscaping purposes. But few of them can match the vibrant personality of the Calathea plants. These plants have the ability to transform any home, office or commercial property thanks to their unique qualities.
The popularity of Calathea plants has constantly been growing not only because they’re rather easy to take care of but also because they can easily survive and even thrive in low-light places.
Whether you prefer a pop of green or colourful blooming plants that give flowers, Calathea plants come in a wide array of types and shapes. So far, nearly 300 cultivars of Calatheas are known. Such great diversity suggests that the same rules might not apply to all varieties. Some varieties can be quite demanding (i.e. White Fusion). In the plant community, they have the reputation of being ‘drama queens.’
To ensure you choose the most suitable plant for your needs, we believe that your knowledge of Calathea plants should be complete. And below, you will find the most extensive guide ever created on Calathea plants.
What are Calathea plants?
Calathea plants are part of the Marantaceae family, neotropical rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants native to tropical Americas and some areas in Africa. These plants share a beautiful nickname that has made them gain even more attention in recent years. Calatheas are commonly referred to as the ‘prayer plants’; the nickname stems from a naturally occurring phenomenon called nyctinasty, the circadian rhythmic nastic daily movement of leaves. Various Calathea plants, in response to the onset of darkness, move their higher plants up and lower them down at the onset of daylight.
Botanical plant name: Calathea
Family: Marantaceae
Native to: South Americas, tropical Africa
Care: Easy to care, requires low light, enjoys moist soil and medium to high humidity levels but can also survive low humidity
Size & Shape: Size and shape depend on the type of Calathea plant. Indoor flowering Calatheas can reach up to 30 cm in height (without the height of the flowers), whereas green Calatheas can reach even up to 60 cm in height.
Common problems: Yellow leaves, curling leaves, browning leaf edges, leaf pattern loss, mushy stems, drooping, infestation.
Toxicity: human, office and pet friendly
Types of Calathea plants
Calathea plant counts over 300 varieties ranging from dark green velvety leaves to leaves with maroon undersides and geometric patterns; however, only a few of them are available. Let’s have a closer look at some of the most popular and widely found types.
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea Orbifolia is an indoor species of Calathea plant with beautiful ornamental large and round leaves. Besides making for a great decoration inside every home, Calathea Orbifolia also has air-purifying qualities. It thrives in moderate shade, good humidity and drainage.
Calathea Ornata
Calathea Ornata is also an indoor Calathea plant that comes in an array of varieties, the most popular being Roseolineata and Sanderiana. The plant’s large ornamental leaves differ from the other types by showcasing a unique pattern and effervescent colours.
Calathea Medallion
Also known as Calathea Veitchiana, Calathea Medallion is another popular indoor Calathea choice used as decoration thanks to its beautiful oval green leaves with deep burgundy undersides that reveal themselves at the onset of darkness. This plant is a definite favourite in many households.
Calathea Warscewiczii
Also referred to as Calathea Jungle Velvet, this indoor Calathea plant is slightly larger reaching 0.5 to 1 m in height and width at maturity. The large patterned lanceolate leaves resemble a light-and-dark green fishtail with cone-like inflorescences that fade to yellow or burgundy.
Calathea Makoyana
Calathea Makoyana is one of the most ornamental Calathea plants that has gained the “Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.” The plant can grow 30 to 60 cm high, revealing beautiful large contrasting green and purplish-red leaves. The plant’s gorgeous foliage resembles a peacock, for which reason it goes by the name of Peacock Plant.
How to care for Calathea plants?
Sunlight
Calathea plants are shade-tolerant plants. They require low light, which is why they’re relatively easy to care for. They will thrive in medium, indirect sunlight but can survive in low light as well. If you don’t want the leaves to fade to yellow or brown around the edges, appearing burned, you will avoid direct bright sunlight.
Watering
With the Calathea plant, it’s hard to tell when you’re overwatering or underwatering it. Overwatering your Calathea plant might result in leaves curling, drooping and changing their colour to yellow. The same problems can be caused by underwatering.
Weekly waterings are fine so long that you allow the top 2’ of soil to partially dry. In summer, watering should be done more frequently to avoid dryness of the soil, and in winter, watering should be reduced to avoid root rot.
Humidity & Temperature
Calatheas are tropical plants, and they thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees. The plant does not do well in cold environments. The curling of the leaves is one of the indicators that the temperature is either above or below the range. Calathea enjoys moist soil with moderate to high humidity levels. Avoid soggy soil as it will lead to problems caused by overwatering.
Maintenance
Calatheas are low-maintenance plants. Wiping the dust off the leaves and misting them is enough to keep good moisture levels and humidity. Taking away all the yellow leaves will make your plant keep strong and more aesthetically pleasing.
Fertilizing & Soil
Both fertilizer and type of soil play an important role in Calathea’s growth. Although the plant doesn’t require fertilization, to stimulate growth and give more flowers, you can fertilize it with a standard houseplant fertilizer. The best times to fertilize are spring, summer and fall when the plant is in flowering season.
To thrive, Calathea needs a soil mix. You can use a combination of 50% potting soil, 20% orchid bark and charcoal each, and 10% perlite.
Repotting
It is recommended to repot your plant every year or each other year for it to grow strong and beautiful. The pot size will depend on the desired outcome. For wider foliage, you should choose a pot that is 2’’ larger in diameter than the current one.
Propagation
Propagation of the plant should be done by division at repotting time and only in mature plants. Search for a piece with a separate root system and gently divide it without harming the roots to propagate the plant.
Toxicity
Calatheas are human, pet and office-friendly and are absolutely non-toxic.
Pruning
Pruning a plant’s older leaves is a common practice. It will help keep the foliage aesthetically pleasing and strong. Remove any yellow, brown or burned leaves from the base connecting to the main stalk.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need an ornamental plant, then get yourself a Cebu Blue pothos from Philipines.
Pests and other common problems
Calatheas can be affected by pest infestation. The most common pests are spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, fungus gnat, and more. Look for bugs visible on the underside of the leaves, any afflicted small dry spots, white dots, or even yellowing of the leaves. Calatheas have thin leaves, so any kind of pest infestation is not hard to detect.
Types of Calathea plants
Common FAQs
Where should I put my Calathea plant?
Your Calathea plant can be kept anywhere in your room, house, office or commercial property. Shady areas with indirect bright light are best for your plant to thrive.
Are Calathea plants difficult?
Calathea plants are generally not difficult plants. Some varieties are low-maintenance and don’t require much care. Others like White Fusion can be finicky and real ‘drama queens.’
Should I mist my Calathea?
Calatheas enjoy moderate humidity levels. Misting your plant every now and then will help keep the humidity levels in balance to grow beautiful and rich foliage.
How do you make Calathea bushy?
Taking care of the following recommendation will help you make your Calathea bushy: maintain the right temperature 60 to 85 degrees, indirect sunlight, maintain moderate humidity levels (keep around a humidifier if it’s dry in summer), fertilize with standard houseplant fertilizer every 2 or 4 weeks during the flowering season, repot your plant yearly or every other year as needed.
Should I cut brown leaves off Calathea?
Yes, you should cut brown leaves off Calathea to improve its appearance and promote healthy growth. Always cut at the base where the leaves join the main stalk.
How long does it take a Calathea to reach full growth?
Calatheas grow at a fairly fast rate. They can reach up to 60 cm in height. Any excessive growth is not possible with Calathea making it a very low-maintenance plant.
How do you grow Calathea indoors?
To grow your Calathea plant indoors, you need to ensure moist soil at all times, good humidity levels and indirect sunlight. Keep it out of direct light.
Conclusion
Calathea can be called a decor plant. They are great indoor plant choices that can transform any place and make it more visually appealing. Although they are low maintenance, you have to follow recommendations if you want your Calathea to thrive and/or give flowers. How beautiful and strong your Calathea will grow depends a lot on sunlight source, humidity and soil moisture levels, temperatures, and other known practices we have explored in this article.
If you’re planning to adorn your home, office or commercial property with Calathea plants, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of patterned leaves and the occasional flash of colours ranging from deep burgundy, neon green, bring pinks and white fusion. This display of colours will leave nobody indifferent.