Calatheas are low-maintenance ornamental plants. They love plenty of light but need to be kept away from direct sunlight, so a partially shaded spot in your garden should do the trick.
At the same time, you couldn’t go wrong with keeping your calathea indoors either. Their charming variegated patterns will beautify your interiors as they purify the air.
So, if you fancy keeping your calathea as a house plant, you’re going in the right direction.
Are you interested to know more about calatheas? Then keep reading.
Why Should You Have Calathea Plants?
When you bring calatheas into your home, you bring their benefits into your life as well. Here are some of them.
Take a look.
Better Air Quality
Having lots of indoor plants, and not just calatheas, improves the air quality in many ways. First of all, they take in carbon dioxide and boost the concentration of oxygen in exchange.
They also trap impurities floating in the air and trap dust. Most calathea varieties have wide, waxy leaves that are good at this particular task.
Needless to say, those with mild respiratory conditions, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, will benefit more from having calatheas indoors.
Moreover, calatheas regulate humidity through a process called evapotranspiration, so you can expect less throat irritation from dry air. One of the most peculiar traits of the calathea, though, is that it’s extra hardworking at night during the day.
Therefore, you can sleep better knowing that your calatheas improve the air quality in your home even while you rest.
Mother Nature’s Charm
There are approximately sixty varieties of calatheas, each with different colors, sizes, shapes, and patterns. For this reason, calatheas make for wonderful ornamental plants.
You can put smaller varieties in a small pot and place them on the countertop, shelf, or accent table. Then, you can put the bigger ones on the floor by the door or the table.
The calathea’s bright green leaves and pretty flowers will surely give your room a more natural and inviting vibe.
Calming Effect
Having green leafy foliage within the house brings out a sense of calm and contentment to the occupants. This isn’t just because of the psychological effects of the color green, although it helps, too.
This is mainly because of the biophilia hypothesis. This theory states that humans feel instinctively connected to things from the natural environment.
In effect having indoor plants, us feel more relaxed and refreshed, resulting in lower stress levels and better focus. Consequently, we’re not just happier and healthier, but also more productive.
Safe for Small Children and Pets
Now that we’ve got you to like calatheas and want them in your home, the next question is: is it safe?
This is a common worry among parents who have curious little humans in their home or nosey fur babies – or both. However, unlike most suspiciously attractive plants, calatheas are harmless.
They don’t give off toxic fumes or itchy sap when you accidentally break a leaf or stem. Therefore, your pets and children are completely safe around calatheas.
We can’t say the same for the other way around, though. So, make sure to keep your calathea safe so that pets and kids won’t knock them over when they’re playing rough.
How to Pick and Buy a Healthy Calathea Plant?
There are a few telltale signs of whether a calathea is healthy or not. To make sure that you’re picking a healthy plant, here are the hints that you should look out for.
Roots
A healthy calathea’s roots should be firm with a light shade of yellow. On the other hand, dark brown or black discoloration and mushy texture are signs of root rot.
Stems
If the rotting has progressed from the roots to the stem, you’ll notice discoloration on the stem. By then, the stems should’ve turned dark brown or black.
If neglected, the problem would inevitably reach the leaves and may mean that the plant is beyond saving.
Leaves
Calatheas are known for their leaves’ bright green hues and patterns. However, if you notice yellow leaves, they could be over-watered.
Yellowing of the leaves is an early sign of root rot. At this stage, the problem may still be reversible. However, if you’re seeing black spots on the leaves, this could also mean that the condition is at an advanced level and may need
The plant may still be saved at this point and you shouldn’t wait until all the roots and stems have turned mushy. When this happens, you’ll have to let go of your calathea plant.
Black spots on the leaves show up if the plant isn’t getting enough oxygen, water, or nutrients that they usually get from the soil.
Other Signs
Besides the color, another way to know that your calathea isn’t well is if it’s not growing as it should. The proportion of the size to its age may vary by the calathea variety, so it’s best to look it up to make sure.
Along with this, you’ll notice a foul smell coming from the plant, which could be a sign of rotting.
Should I Place Calathea Plants in a Pot Plant or a Garden?
On the ground or in a pot, the calathea plant would thrive either way. Still, right in the garden is where plants would love best.
On the ground, their roots could reach as far as they can. The soil would also be healthiest in the garden because of earthworms and richer organic matter.
The only setback to this would be relocating. Transferring would be much more challenging than if the plant was in a pot in case it gets too hot or cold outside.
On the flip side, you’ll need to bring in the fertilizers and aerate the soil manually if the calathea is in a pot.
So, which is better? Well, that depends on which one you’re willing to compromise.
Where to Keep Your Calathea Plant?
Calatheas are indeed among the hardiest plants around. Yet, there are some conditions that you need to consider to keep your calathea comfortable.
Plants need light, air, and water to make their food through the process of photosynthesis. You shouldn’t, however, place your calathea directly under the sunlight as this may dehydrate its leaves.
Instead, put them in a partially shaded spot where they could still get lots of light.
Furthermore, calatheas flourish in a tropical climate, hence they’re not so fond of the cold. So, it’s best to keep your calathea in an area where the temperature’s somewhere between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Are a Few Calathea Varieties You Can Have In Your Home?
Despite being under the same classification, each calathea variety is beautifully original. So to help you pick one for your home, here’s a collection of common, yet equally pretty, varieties for starters.
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia has tropical beauty spots oversized, round leaves with silver stripes. When well cared for, it can grow up to three feet tall.
Calathea Zebrina
Otherwise known as the zebra plant, this perennial foliage has large oval leaves and long stalks. This variety has either white or purple flowers, but these are less likely to bloom indoors.
A mature zebra plant can grow somewhere between 80 centimeters to a meter tall.
Calathea Ornata
Also known as the pinstripe, the ornata is one of the most common calathea varieties. This plant reaches maturity by the time it grows about 2 feet tall and wide.
The pinstripe’s leaves are wide and oval-shaped with light pink stripes.
How to Care For Your Calathea Plant?
If your calathea is in a pot, give it water until it flows through the hole at the bottom. Discard the excess water that settles in the saucer.
Water your potted calathea if three-fourths of the soil is dry. Also, spray the leaves once in a while to keep them moist.
Sometimes, the leaves could turn yellowish and the edges look burnt, and you’re sure that it’s not over or under-watered. The problem might be the water quality.
When this happens, give your calathea clean water from a different source. Distilled or purified water would be best.
As much as possible, use only organic fertilizers so that it’s safe for small children and pets.
FAQS
Is it easy to care for calathea plants?
Calathea plants are relatively simple to maintain. They may have a slight preference for warm, humid places, but they’ll live through winter, too.
So, if you’re a beginner, calathea would be the ideal plant to try out your green thumb.
How often should you water calathea plants?
On average, you only need to water your calathea once a week. However, if you live in a dry region, the best way to know if it’s time to water your plant is by checking the soil.
If the top couple of inches is dry, then you know it’s time to water them.
Why is my calathea plant losing leaves?
Falling leaves are a result of underwatering. The leaves and stems could easily break if the plant is dehydrated.
My calathea plant is drying up, what should I do?
Make sure that you’re giving your calathea sufficient water, but not too much (over-watering can lead to root rot, which is equally dangerous).
Also, keep your calathea away from the harsh rays of the sun.