How to Care for Calathea

Korean name: 칼라테아

Known as the 'prayer plant', it features beautiful striped and patterned leaves. It has a unique habit of folding its leaves at night.

Key facts

Care Guide

Detailed care guide

Calathea is a foliage plant known for its beautiful striped and patterned leaves, and it has the unique habit of folding its leaves up at night.

Watering

Water it with distilled water or rainwater once the soil surface dries out. This plant is sensitive to fluoride, so it's best to avoid tap water. Giving it too much water, or letting it stay wet too long, can turn the leaves yellow and mushy.

Light

It grows well in indirect light or low light, and direct sunlight can scorch the leaves or fade their color. Too little light can cause the stems to grow leggy. A bright spot out of direct sun is ideal.

Humidity

High humidity is essential — keep it at 60% or above for healthy growth. Low humidity can cause the leaf tips to dry out or brown. Mist it often or raise the humidity around it.

Temperature

It grows best between 18–27°C. Outside that range, the leaves can droop or change color, so be careful.

A common first-timer mistake

The most common mistake is frequently watering with tap water. Be sure to use distilled water or rainwater instead.

If you have pets

Calathea is not known to be toxic to pets. That said, eating a lot of any plant can cause stomach upset, so if your pet chews on it habitually, move the plant out of reach.

Season by season

In spring and summer, it grows actively, so don't forget a small amount of fertilizer once a month; skip fertilizer in other seasons. In winter, growth slows, so extend your watering interval a bit and be especially careful about overwatering. Keeping conditions consistent is always important.

Common problems and fixes

If the leaf tips dry out or turn brown, that can be a sign of low humidity, so mist it often and consider keeping a humidifier nearby. Too much water can turn the leaves yellow and mushy, so only water once the soil surface has dried. If light is lacking, the stems grow long and thin, so look for a slightly brighter, indirect-light spot.

Repotting and propagation

Repot once the roots have filled the pot or drainage has worsened. When repotting, choose a moisture-retentive potting mix and move it carefully without jostling it too much. Every leaf matters to calathea, so be careful not to damage the roots or leaves.

Who it's a good fit for

This plant is a great fit for anyone who enjoys its distinctive patterns and changing leaves. It suits people who can consistently manage high humidity and attentive care. It's especially well-suited to those who enjoy observing a plant's subtle changes and have the time and care to devote to it.

Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.

Common questions

How often should you water Calathea?

Water with distilled or rainwater when the soil surface is dry. Sensitive to fluoride. Roughly every 7 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Calathea?

It likes Indirect light to low light. Absolutely avoid direct sunlight.. You can grow it indoors. Use Moisture-retaining mix.

Is Calathea safe around pets?

No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.

Is Calathea good for beginners?

Difficulty: Demanding. Keep it around 18~27°C. Humidity: High humidity required (above 60%). Fertilise Fertilize once a month from spring to summer (small amount).