The Complete Calathea Care Guide

How to care for a calathea plant:

1. Indirect light
2. Limited water
3. Avoid cold temperatures
4. Place in humid areas
5. Use well-draining potting soil
6. Fertilizer optional
7. Occasional pruning
8. Common calathea problems

Most people know the struggle of picking out the perfect plant that not only looks great in your space but also grows well in the conditions you can provide for it. A majority of the more ornate plants often have demanding lighting, watering, and environmental requirements — which most of us can’t provide.

But, one great alternative to these plants that still offers eye-catching colors and foliage, and is relatively easy to maintain are the Calathea plants. In this article, we talk about how to care for a Calathea plant, and how it may be the perfect plant for you.

What are Calathea Plants?

Calathea is a genus of tropical, perennial plants well known for its vibrantly patterned foliage, and unique leaf movements. The leaves of this plant fold up slightly at night, which is a movement called nyctinasty. This reveals the striking undersides of their leaves, and is also how they get their other name — “prayer plant.”

What Calathea Plants Can I Buy?

There are several varieties of Calathea plants for sale in Manila that you can grow both indoors and outdoors. They include:

• Calathea Arrowroot
• Calathea Fishbone
• Calathea Louisae
• Calathea Medallion
• Calathea Pinstripe Ornata
• Calathea Rabbit Track
• Calathea Rufibarba
• Calathea Zebrina

How to Care for Your Calathea Plant:

Calathea plants are quite popular choices as they are easy to care for. While they may be slightly more demanding than some other indoor plants, caring for them is still something a beginner plant owner can do.

While specifics may vary from variety to variety, here are the key requirements for most Calathea plants:

Indirect light

They need ample and bright light to grow — but always place them where they can receive indirect light. While it is a tropical plant, they’re used to growing beneath the shaded canopy of trees and are more used to filtered sunlight rather than constant harsh rays.

Putting your Calathea plant in direct sunlight will burn the leaves, and will fade their vibrant colors over time. They tolerate medium to low indirect light, but their foliage may not be as vivid.

Limited water

Like most plants, Calatheas prefer filtered or dechlorinated water. As Calathea plants love to have moist — not soggy — soil, we recommend watering about once a week. Before watering your Calathea, check if the soil is half-dried to prevent overwatering. They cannot tolerate lots of water, as they will drown or rot.

The most important rule of thumb here is to never let their soil dry out. You may have to water more frequently if your plant is placed somewhere with brighter light and warmer conditions.

Avoid cold temperatures

As a tropical plant, Calatheas will not do well in the cold. They prefer temperatures ranging from 18°C to 30°C, similar to their native habitat. Temperatures that go too high or too low from this range may damage your Calathea, and cause their leaves to brown or curl.

Place in humid areas

Again due to where they normally grow, Calathea plants love growing in humid spaces such as the bathroom or kitchen. They can absorb water from the air with their wide leaves — so if their space is humid, expect to water it less often.

If you’re concerned about humidity, try using a fine-mist mister or humidifier to boost the humidity levels indoors.

Use well-draining potting soil

Calatheas do not do well in overly moist soil or standing water. We recommend using a well-draining potting soil or mix. To check if your potting products are well-draining, see if they contain things like coco coir, pine bark, compost, or perlite.

Fertilizer optional

They do not require fertilizer to grow well. But, you can use fertilizer in periods of growth and flowering (such as during the warmer, hotter season).

Occasional pruning

Calatheas don’t require frequent pruning either. They may need the occasional touch-up to remove older leaves, which may be colored brown or yellow. You can also prune the leaves off to the bottom of the stem. This will encourage healthier growth to appear.

Common calathea problems

They’re easy-going plants but may still suffer from common plant problems. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Wilted, curling leaves — If their soil is dry, they are likely unwatered or need to be replaced in a more humid area.
• Yellowed leaves, with a black base — If their soil is very wet, they are likely overwatered and their pot needs to be drained.
• Spotted leaves — This could be a fungal infection or a mineral build-up from their water.
• Pests — Mites, gnats, and mealybugs are common pests for Calatheas. Treat as soon as possible with natural pesticides and regular wipe-downs of the plant.
• Tips or edges of the leaves look “burnt” — A mineral buildup from their water. Switch to filtered water or rainwater. You can also let your tap water stand overnight so chlorine and fluoride can evaporate.

How Fast Do Calathea Plants Grow?

Calathea growth depends on the variety of Calathea plants, but all of them tend to grow fairly slowly. Calathea plants usually will only grow up to 2 feet in height and then stop. Some varieties can produce flowers, but this is not common if they are grown indoors.

Are Calathea Plants Safe For Children and Pets?

They are non-toxic plants, so they are safe to keep around young children, and pets such as cats and dogs. But, we always recommend keeping your plants out of reach from curious children and pets just in case.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know how to care for Calathea plants, check out Unbeleafable’s Calathea collection! These plants are the perfect choice for people who want something with stunning foliage but want something relatively easy to grow and maintain even indoors.