Calathea Care: An Expert Growing Guide and Tips

A Calathea is one of the most loved indoor jungle plants from Central and South America. Its big, glossy leaves with brightly colored, beautiful patterns can add elegance and style to your interior or outdoor space. Despite its low-maintenance requirements, the plant still needs consistent care and attention. If you don’t meet the needs of your Calathea plant, it may show signs of stress. And when given the right care, it’ll reward you with stunning foliage that adds life and color to any room. 

In this guide, we’ve covered all essential Calathea care tips, including its water, light, and temperature requirements, along with guidance on feeding, repotting, and propagation. So, let’s get started without further ado.  

About Calathea Plants

Calathea Plants (Calathea) are beautiful plants from the family Marantaceae, which are renowned for their strong air-purifying properties. These plants are native to the warm and humid American regions, with over 200 species known so far. Many Calathea varieties can be grown indoors as potted plants or outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. Besides the pretty flowers, the leaves of Calathea plants, often large and variegated in pink, orange, red, and white, are another reason why people love them. 

They are also called “Prayer Plants” because their leaves naturally fold up during the night and unfurl in the day in search of the morning sun. This movement is called nyctinasty. Calatheas are safe for pets, according to ASPCA, so you don’t have to worry if you’ve got cats or dogs at home. They also help clean the air and add beauty to any room. Because Calatheas don’t grow more than 1-3 ft. tall, they are perfect for small spaces like kitchen shelves or office desks.

Discover Different Calathea Varieties

A Calathea Rattlesnake (Calathea lancifolia) is the first love of every Calathea plant enthusiast. It features long, wavy leaves with a “reptile skin” pattern in dual shades of green. The oval-shaped leaves of a Calathea Medallion (Calathea roseopicta 'Medallion’) look great with silver or cream-colored markings, as if nature itself painted them. Finally, the Brazilian Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana) stands out with its red undersides and green and yellow pattern, resembling watermelons. 

Calathea Plant Care: Growing Guide and Common Problems

While Calathea care isn’t difficult, including for beginners, some attention and expertise are required to help it grow properly. For instance, it’s essential to understand how often to water Calathea and its humidity requirements to prevent it from drying and eventually dying. 

Calathea: Watering and Humidity

Calathea plants should not be watered too frequently. The soil just needs to be moist but not soggy. Furthermore, these plants thrive in high humidity (60%-70%). That’s why you may need to place a humidifier near your plant or place it on a pebble tray filled with water. 

How Often to Water Calathea

Water a Calathea plant only when the top 2” of soil are dry. Tap water isn’t a good choice for watering Calatheas, as they are sensitive to chemicals, such as fluoride and chlorine. Instead, use rainwater, or overnight or distilled water. 

Should I Bottom Water a Calathea? 

You can bottom water a Calathea or hydrate your plant from the top. Bottom watering, however, keeps the soil evenly moist and reduces the risk of overwatering, which commonly happens if you water from the top. Just ensure you don’t let the plant sit in water for too long; otherwise, it may absorb excess water. 

Calathea: Light Requirements and Temperature Tolerance

Let’s now understand the light requirements and temperature tolerance of these tropical plants from the rainforests. 

How Much Sun Does a Calathea Need Indoors?

A Calathea needs a few hours of bright, indirect sun indoors. It doesn’t like direct sunlight, as it’s used to living in dappled (or filtered) light beneath the jungle canopy. Plus, direct light can also burn the delicate leaves of Calathea plants, turning them brown and crisp. 

Can Calathea Grow in Low Light? 

While Calatheas can grow in low light, it’s generally not a good idea. For example, low-light conditions may hamper the growth rate and affect the vibrant patterns on the leaves. If natural sunlight is scarce in the place where you live, consider supplementing it with artificial grow light. 

Calathea: Temperature Range

Calathea plants prefer a temperature range of 70°F to 80°F for optimal growth. They can’t tolerate anything lower than 60°F or more than 85°F, so cold drafts or extremely hot conditions are a big no for these tropical houseplants. 

Calathea: Soil, Feeding, and Repotting

Calathea plants grow best in slightly acidic (or neutral), well-draining, and airy soil that stays slightly moist but never soggy. A readymade mix of potting soil with perlite, coco coir, or peat moss works well; this keeps the roots healthy and provides them with airflow. 

Feed your Calatheas with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer. Don’t fertilize in winter, as the plant rests during that time. Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer bottle to avoid overfeeding your Calathea plant.

When to Repot Calathea

You should repot your Calathea plant every 1-2 years, or when you notice that the roots are struggling or forcing themselves out of the drainage holes, whichever happens earlier. Spring or summer is the best time to repot Calatheas. Choose a 1-2 inches bigger pot and replace the old potting mix with fresh soil to keep the plant healthy and growing.

How to Propagate Calathea

The best way to multiply a Calathea is by dividing it during repotting. When the plant has grown too large for its pot, gently take it out and look for natural sections where the roots can be divided. Each section should have its own roots and a few (ideally, 5-6) leaves. Place each part into a small pot with fresh soil. Water the new plants and keep them in a warm, humid spot with bright, indirect light. 

Expert Tip: Don’t move the new Calathea plants too much at first, and avoid overwatering. With time and care, each division will grow into a healthy plant.

Calathea: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Calathea plants boast a unique aesthetic appeal, but they can sometimes show signs of distress if anything goes wrong with your Calathea care routine. If you notice your Calathea plant’s leaves curling, browning, or turning yellow, don’t worry. These common problems can be fixed easily with a little extra attention. 

Calathea Leaves Curling: Causes and Fixes

Leaf curling is usually a sign that your Calathea plant is dry or stressed. This can happen due to underwatering, dry air, or sudden temperature changes. Ensure you water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry with room-temperature water. Also, keep it away from cold drafts or direct heat sources. Using a humidifier or placing a tray of water nearby can help raise humidity around the plant. 

Expert Tip: To prevent future curling, follow a regular watering schedule and maintain a stable, warm, and humid environment.

Calathea Leaves Turning Brown: Reasons and Solutions

Brown leaf edges or tips often come from low humidity, overfertilizing, strong direct light, or using tap water with chemicals. Try switching to filtered or distilled water, place the plant in indirect sunlight, and dilute the plant food. If the air is dry, mist the leaves or use a humidifier to help. Remove brown tips with clean scissors to maintain the plant’s healthy look. 

Expert Tip: Feed your Calathea plant only once a month during the growing season, early spring and summer, and maintain good humidity year-round.

Calathea Leaves Turning Yellow: Resolving the Issue

Yellow leaves on your Calathea Prayer Plant are generally due to overwatering, poor drainage, or not enough light. Check if the pot has enough drainage holes and the soil isn’t too soggy. Let the top layer dry before watering again. Move the plant near a window with bright, indirect light. Trim yellow leaves to help the plant focus its energy on new growth. 

Expert Tip: Save your Calathea plant’s leaves from yellowing by following a light watering routine and placing it in soft natural light.

How to Care for Calathea: FAQs

Q: Where should I place my Calathea?

A: You should put your Calathea in a spot with bright but filtered light. Avoid the harsh sun, as it can burn its leaves. Make sure the air is not too dry. Bathrooms with light are also great, as they can provide the right humid environment.. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heaters.

Q: Should I cut brown leaves off Calathea?

A: Yes, you should cut brown leaves off Calathea plants. Use clean and sterilized scissors to cut near the base, but don’t damage healthy parts. Brown leaves won’t turn green again, and trimming them means your Calathea Prayer Plant won’t waste energy on damaged leaves. If many leaves are brown, check the light and humidity to address the root cause. If required, revise your Calathea care routine. 

Q: How do you know if you overwatered Calathea?

A: If your Calathea’s leaves droop, turn yellow, or feel soft, it may be too wet. Mushy stems or a bad smell from the soil are also signs of too much water.  Always let the top part of the soil dry before watering again. Use a pot with holes, and empty extra water from the tray after watering.

Q: Is Calathea toxic to cats and dogs?

A: No, Calathea is safe for cats and dogs. It’s a pet-friendly plant, so you don’t need to worry if your furry friend touches the foliage or sniffs it. Even if they nibble a leaf, it won’t harm them much. Still, it’s better to keep plants out of reach, just in case.

Q: Can I root a Calathea in water?

A: It’s better to propagate Calatheas by division instead. Use clean tools to gently separate healthy sections with roots and plant them in moist soil. Keep new plants in a warm and humid spot.

Conclusion

Calathea plants are beautiful and pet-friendly, and perfect for indoor spaces. While they don’t need much to thrive, regular care with the right watering schedule, light, humidity, and soil makes all the difference. Keep an eye on their leaves to spot early signs of stress, such as curling, browning, or yellowing, and adjust your Calathea care routine as needed. With a little attention, your Calathea will grow lush and vibrant, and brighten any room.

Grow your Calatheas with companion plants, such as Philodendrons, Peperomias, Pothos, and Alocasias to create a lush, vibrant, and versatile indoor jungle!