How To Grow And Care For Calatheas

These tropical houseplants charm with their stunning striped or otherwise patterned foliage.

Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest.

Calatheas are houseplants that not only stand out because of their eye-catching foliage but also because of the movements of their leaves. The leaves noticeably lift and dip in a circadian rhythm. During the day, calathea leaves stretch horizontally from their stems, and at night, they are standing straight up, which earned it the nickname prayer plant.

These pretty houseplants thrive with minimal maintenance. They do best in bright, indirect light but also tolerate low-light conditions. There are 60 different calathea species and many cultivars with striped or otherwise patterned leaves. When grown as houseplants, calatheas rarely bloom.

Calatheas like medium to bright indirect light, but if all they receive is low light, often adapt to it. They don't need frequent watering. It is recommended to water calatheas every one to two weeks at the most. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings is essential to keep the plants from becoming waterlogged. They also love humidity, mimicking their native tropical environments.

Indoors, calatheas should be placed in a location with bright, indirect light. Outdoors, calatheas need filtered sunlight, such as under a tree canopy. In direct sunlight, they will burn, leaving the foliage less vibrant.

Plant calatheas in potting mix that contains peat moss to ensure excellent drainage and the proper pH. Outdoors, plant them in loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Maintain a well-draining soil to avoid root rot.

Water potted calatheas every one to two weeks, but wait until the top few inches of soil are partially dry. Calatheas require a balance of consistent watering to prevent leaves from browning and avoid waterlogged soil.

Calatheas thrive in temperatures similar to their native climates. Their ideal temperature range is between 70° and 85°F; avoid letting the temperature drop below 60°F.

Try to keep the plant in humid conditions that mimic the plant's tropical environment. To give them an occasional spa treatment, bring them into the bathroom when you shower, or place them near a humidifier.

Calatheas benefit from a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer in the spring and summer. Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant or less actively growing.

Calatheas are available in a wide variety, all with beautiful leaves. Finding the best calathea for you comes down to the conditions of your space, as each has specific care requirements. Here are a few eye-catching species:

Calatheas are easy to maintain and only require minimal pruning. Removing spent foliage is optional because wilted or brown leaves will eventually fall off, but doing so helps maintain a neater appearance. Prune dead or damaged leaves by removing them with scissors or pruning shears at the intersection of the leaves and the stem or base.

Propagate calatheas should be at least two years old when propagated through root division. The best time to do this is in the spring or summer.

Growing calatheas from seed is more challenging than through root division. Start seeds in the spring. Fill a seed-starting tray filled with damp potting mix and lightly press the seeds into the mixture.

Place a clear plastic bag or dome over the tray to trap humidity. Place the tray in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist. After the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic. Keep watering them. Transplant into larger containers as needed.

Similar to propagating, repotting calatheas is best done in the spring when growth is vigorous. Choose containers larger than the root ball with plenty of drainage holes. Containers at least eight to 10 inches deep provide enough space for roots to expand.

It is only necessary to repot calatheas every one to two years. Water the plants deeply before repotting.

If your potted calatheas spent the summer outside on a patio or porch, bring the plants indoors before temperatures drop below 60°F. Check them for any pests and use an insecticidal soap if required.

Reduce watering as the plant is not actively growing during the winter but don't let the soil dry out below the top inch. Make sure the indoor humidity is high by using a humidifier or terrarium or placing the plant in the bathroom when showering.

Calatheas are susceptible to common houseplant pests, including spider mites, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, thrips, and fungus gnats. Allowing the soil to completely dry before watering helps to prevent pests. Treatment includes spraying calatheas with neem oil and regularly wiping down leaves.

Diseases that impact calatheas include root rot and bacterial leaf spots. Using clean water and well-draining soil helps to avoid these problems.

Calatheas are fairly easy to maintain when meeting the plant's care conditions, but neglect or imbalanced water, soil, and light requirements can cause problems.

Wilting or curling calathea leaves occur when plants are underwatered. Underwatered calatheas or low humidity levels cause the plant to dry out and die back, an irreversible process.

Curling leaves can also be a sign of too much direct sunlight.

There are several reasons why calathea leaves turn yellow, including overwatering or an infestation of spider mites, whiteflies, or thrips. Root rot occurs when calatheas are overwatered, which is first noticeable in older leaves. If the soil does not dry out, calatheas will wilt and leaves drop.

Exposing plants to certain minerals can also cause yellowing foliage. Water the plant with distilled water.

One big boon of calatheas is that they are, unlike many other tropical houseplants, not toxic to humans or pets.

Calatheas require high humidity (50% or higher), which is why they have the reputation of being harder to care for than other houseplants.

Because calatheas are sensitive to the minerals and chemicals in tap water (especially chlorine), they might start looking unhealthy when watered with tap water. Consider watering the plant with distilled water.