If ornamental foliage and stunning leaf patterns are your ideal houseplant, there isn't a better choice than the magnificent Calathea. These houseplants will stop your scrolling, bring your shopping cart to a screeching halt, and be the talking point for any guest who enters your home. They truly are show-stoppers!

Even though they tend to have a reputation for being fussy, it is not only possible to have these plants thrive in your home, but it is also easier than you think. We'll cover everything you need to know to grow every species of Calathea, from their light and watering needs to temperature and humidity, fertilizing, and pet safety. But first, we'll look at the natural history of Calatheas, which is the key to growing them successfully.

Let's dive into it!

The Natural History of Calatheas

In the forests of South America, Calatheas scatter natively along the forest floor, receiving plenty of moisture and humidity from the overhead trees, which creates a dome of protection. They scoop up as much dappled sunlight as possible but relish in the warm temperatures and high humidity beneath the forest canopy. While dozens of Calatheas were formally reclassified as Goeppertia, many people still refer to these stunning plants as Calatheas today. Ultimately, you may see them labeled as one or the other.

Calatheas are also nicknamed "Prayer Plants" because they belong to the Marantaceae family. They earned this nickname because, like others within the Marantaceae family, their leaves can fold upwards in the evening and will open up again in the morning. In the wild, they would do this to optimize the little amount of light that they received along the forest floor. In fact, many Calatheas also have a dark aubergine or maroon backing to their leaves. This helps the light bounce off the back of the leaf so the side containing chlorophyll can leverage as much light as possible.

Light Requirements for Calatheas

While Calatheas receive precious little direct sunlight in the wild, our indoor spaces are much darker for them. Many Calathea species are tolerant of low light conditions, but ideally, you want to lean toward medium to bright indirect light. A good rule of thumb with Calatheas is that the darker the leaf, the more tolerant they tend to be of lower light conditions. A great example is the Calathea Ornata, which has dark green leaves with thin, bright pink patterns.

The Calathea Ornata has beautiful, brightly colored, upright, oval leaves.

On the other hand, the Calathea White Fusion has lighter green leaves and plenty of white variegation, so it certainly favors more of that bright, indirect light. This particular species of Calathea is my favorite, so I dedicated a special care guide exclusively for this alluring Calathea species that you can't miss if you're thinking of adding this beauty to your home.

The top side leaves of the Calathea White Fusion features contrasting white markings alongside the green, and the underside has a pretty light purple-pinkish hue that also runs down the stems.

Regardless of the variety, the key is keeping the light indirect. Too much light, or strong direct sunlight can cause your Calathea's intricate leaf patterns to fade. And worse, too much light can even result in leaf scalding.

Watering Calatheas

Calatheas prefer to have their soil kept moist but not soaking wet. While Calatheas are moisture-loving plants, any plant can succumb to root rot if it's sitting in completely drenched soil day after day. Only give your Calatheas water when the soil is nearly dry but not completely dry. You can check the moisture levels by probing your finger in the soil up to the first knuckle. Calatheas are not very forgiving of drying out since their thin, delicate leaves can't store moisture the same way a succulent plant can. It helps to check your soil every couple of days. Sometimes if you miss a watering, your Calathea can look deflated and even on the verge of death. If this happens, try giving it a good drink and wait to see if it perks up. More often than not, it will. However, repeatedly letting your Calathea's soil mass dry out can make leaves dry and crispy.

It's also important to consider that some Calatheas dislike tap water, which can be treated with minerals. They may develop brown tips at the outermost point of the leaf. In this case, you can switch to filtered water, or even rainwater if you can access it. Either way, avoid exceedingly cold water at all costs, as this can shock your Calathea.

Soil Needs for Calatheas

When it comes to choosing the best soil for your Calathea, it's important to remember that while they prefer more moisture retention, they still need drainage to avoid root rot. Store-bought potting mix tends to be too heavy and holds onto too much moisture. What's worse is that if you happen to let it dry out too much, it's challenging to rehydrate it. Calatheas tend to thrive in soil mixes designed for aroids because they live in such similar tropical environments. Check out my Aroid Soil Mix for the perfect recipe of moisture-retaining ingredients like coco coir and rice hulls, but also drainage elements like orchid bark and perlite. It's the best-kept secret for growing happy Calatheas!

My Aroid Soil Mix Recipe is perfect for happy Calatheas.

Temperature and Humidity for Calatheas

The key to growing beautiful Calatheas is replicating their natural environment as best as possible, meaning warmer temperatures and moderate to high humidity levels are optimal environments for these plants. This will also help to prevent pests. Spider mites particularly enjoy Calatheas but prefer dry conditions. Not everyone's home has naturally high humidity levels, so keeping your Calathea near a humidifier is the most efficient way to set them up for success.

You can also keep your Calathea in a bathroom or kitchen if there is enough lighting, as these areas in the home tend to have higher humidity levels. You can also consider adding a pebble tray or grouping your Calatheas together.

As for temperature, Calatheas prefer to live in conditions between 65-80°F (18-27°C). They love warmth and plenty of it and they are very sensitive to cold. Keep them clear of drafty windows, air conditioner vents, or cold appliances to avoid cold damage.

Feeding Your Calathea

If your Calathea is producing new leaves, you may want to give it some fertilizer to encourage even more growth. They will enjoy a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer very sparingly during the growing season. I'd recommend diluting your fertilizer to half-strength since it is possible to overdo it with Calatheas. They can be sensitive to strong chemicals and even develop a curled, burnt-like appearance on the leaves if they get too much fertilizer.

Pet Safety and Calatheas

If you have a pet, Calatheas are a great, generally safe houseplant to keep around the home. With that said, keeping any houseplant out of reach from your pets is always important to avoid any potential choking hazards or upset stomachs.

Even pet-safe houseplants like Calatheas can have toxic ingredients in the soil, fertilizer, or any pest prevention measures you might have in place, so it's always best to keep them away from your pets. This may be a challenge if you have cats since they particularly enjoy nibbling on Calathea's delicate foliage!

Conclusion

If you want to fill your home with some of the most stunning decorative foliage on the planet, here are some tips to remember when caring for your Calathea:

• Lighting: While they can be tolerant of medium to lower light, give your Calatheas bright, indirect light if possible.

• Watering: Calatheas prefer to have their soil kept moist but not soaking wet. Allow the soil to nearly dry out between waterings (but never let it completely dry out!)

• Soil: Skip the store-bought potting soil mix and craft your own soil that your Calatheas will love. Check out James's Aroid Soil Mix for the ideal soil recipe.

• Temperature and humidity: Calatheas need warmer temperatures, between 65-80°F (18-27°C). They also love high humidity levels and will do well with a humidifier in their environment.

• Fertilizing: Calatheas are sensitive to strong fertilizers, so use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength and feed it sparingly during the growing season.

• Pet safety: The great news is that Calatheas are considered a pet-safe houseplant, though leaving your Calatheas somewhere your pet might access is not recommended.

With these tips, you will be able to replicate your Calatheas natural environment and enjoy their gorgeous foliage for years to come!

If you have any more questions about caring for your Calathea houseplants, download my Pistils & Pollen mobile app and reach out to me directly in our growing online community!

I can't wait to grow with you!

James🌿