HOUSEPLANT OF THE MONTH: CALATHEA
Get to know our September houseplant of the month - the charming Calathea
Calatheas are best known for their striking foliage, with leaves that look like they’ve been hand-painted with patterns
If you’re looking for a head-turning houseplant you can cherish for years, then the Calathea is the plant for you! Find out everything you need to know about caring for Calathea plants in our detailed guide
POPULAR CALATHEA VARIETIES
There are a wide variety of unique looking Calatheas that will add vibrant, lush, tropical foliage to your home. From bold colours to intricate patterns, check out some of the most popular Calathea varieties:
Calathea ‘Silvia’
The foliage of this Calathea variety includes many shades of green, as well as burgundy red undersides, making it a unique, beautiful, multi-coloured plant!
Calathea insignis
Also known as a rattlesnake plant, this variety is a popular amongst Calathea fans due to its spotty foliage and wavy sword-shaped leaves
Calathea makoyana
If you choose the Calathea makoyana, it’s worth displaying it on a bright windowsill – its pale green stripey leaves look translucent when sunlight shines through them, giving it the common name Cathedral window plant
Calathea orbifolia
The beautiful round leaves and distinctive silver patterned markings of this Calathea variation make it a bold statement plant for your home
Calathea triostar
While it can be trickier to look after than other Calathea varieties, the main attraction of a Calathea triostar is its rewarding foliage. Its usual green leaves are dappled with shades of beautiful blush pink!
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CALATHEA
While Calatheas can be challenging to look after, it’s worth knowing the right ways to care for them as they’re very visually rewarding plants! To keep it simple, here’s everything you need to do to look after your Calathea plant:
Light: Calatheas prefer indirect but bright light levels and are tolerant of some shade. Make sure you don't sit them in direct sunlight. If your Calathea leaves look dusty, make sure to wipe them with a damp cloth so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible
Water: Calatheas need to be watered by filtered or distilled water, or rainwater if possible. You can leave tap water standing for 24 hours or boil it and leave it to cool. Water your plant little but often, keeping the soil evenly moist. You also need to tip away excess water at the bottom of the plant pot so that the Calathea’s roots aren’t left sitting in water or else they'll rot. Be careful not to overwater your Calathea, but look out for curling leaves as a sign of underwatering. Cut back on watering in the winter
Humidity: These plants love lots of humidity. Keep their humidity levels high by misting their leaves daily or standing your Calathea on a tray of moist pebbles
Temperature: Keep your Calathea in a room at a consistent temperature – a minimum temperature of 15 degrees is preferred. Keep your plant from draughts and avoid rooms with fluctuating temperatures
Soil: Use a mix of peat-free multipurpose compost and perlite for your Calathea
Feeding: If you prefer, you can feed your Calathea through its growing months (April to September) with a general-purpose liquid fertiliser or balanced houseplant fertiliser
Repotting: You should try and repot your Calathea every few years. Repot it into a slightly larger pot during the spring
WHERE SHOULD I KEEP MY CALATHEA
Bathrooms or bedrooms are ideal spaces for Calathea plants, since they love a bright and humid atmosphere. Wherever you decide to keep your plant, make sure the temperature in the room is consistent and it’s placed in a space away from draughts
FUN FACTS ABOUT CALATHEAS
- Calatheas have several fun nicknames due to their interesting and unique leaves – they’re commonly known as the peacock plant, zebra plant and prayer plant
If you’re an animal loving houseplant parent and like the look of Calatheas, then we’ve got some good news! Calatheas are known to be non-toxic, making them pet friendly. However, it’s still better if you avoid letting your furry friend nibble at its leaves... both for the benefit of your pet and the plant!
Maranta plants, which are also known as prayer plants because they close their leaves up at night, are often mistaken as Calatheas. However, most Calathea varieties don’t close their leaves. You may notice your Calathea moving its leaves throughout the day to direct itself towards the sunlight, which it’s evolved to do in its natural environment
Calatheas are native to Brazil and found in other tropical locations like South Florida and Hawaii
Calatheas are air purifying plants, meaning they’ll take in carbon dioxide and other harmful air particles in their environment and release oxygen in return. If you keep a Calathea in your bedroom, it might help you wake up feeling more refreshed than usual!