Learn All About Calathea (Prayer Plant) with our Guide
Calathea come in many varieties and are known for their bold patterned leaves and are commonly known as the ‘Prayer Plant’ as they fold up slightly during the night revealing their colourful undersides and open again in the morning. They are considered relatively easy to care for but do like an environment with higher humidity and like their soil to be kept constantly moist.
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Light |
Calathea (Prayer Plant) will do best in medium to bright in-direct light but can tolerate lower light situations. Never allow Calathea (Prayer Plant) to stand in direct sunlight as the leaves will get sunburned. |
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Watering |
Water your Calathea (Prayer Plant) when the top 25% of the soil is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer/pot. Try to keep their soil constantly moist but be careful its not soggy. Calathea (Prayer Plant) prefer rainwater. Alternatively use water that has been boiled and cooled down. |
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Humidity |
Calathea (Prayer Plant) like many tropical plants prefers a spot with good humidity. If leaf edges begin to curl or go brown and crispy its generally due to lack of humidity. Mist them with rain water on a regular basis to prevent this. |
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Temperature |
Calathea (Prayer Plant) enjoy a warm environment preferably between 18-25c. Avoid placing in locations with cold drafts and areas prone to sudden temperature changes. |
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Fertilizer |
For best results feed your Calathea (Prayer Plant) with an all-purpose houseplant food once a month during the growing season (March-September). No fertilizer is required during the winter months. |
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Toxicity |
Calathea (Prayer Plant) are non-toxic and are safe for humans and pets. |
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Additional Care Information |
If you notice the tips or edges of your Calathea (Prayer Plant) are burned, often with a yellowish hue it could be due to using tap water. To solve this preferably use rainwater, distilled water or water that’s been boiled and allowed to cool down. Tap water contains added minerals, chlorine and fluoride which your Calathea (Prayer Plant) will not like. |
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Troubleshooting |
If your Calathea (Prayer Plant) leaves are curling the soil could be too dry. They like to be kept in constantly moist soil. However, also be sure that you are not overwatering and keep to a consistent watering schedule. It could also be due to lack of humidity. As Calathea (Prayer Plant) are tropical plants try to replicate this environment as best as possible. Keep in a humid environment such as a bathroom or kitchen and mist regularly or keep a humidifier nearby. |
The information above is written by Plantila and should be used as a guide only. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any additional advice. If you have purchased a plant at Plantila that's not doing so well please send us a picture via WhatsApp to 028 42 798478 and we will try to help.