Low-Light Beauties: The Calathea Care Guide Low-Light Beauties: The Calathea Care Guide

Low-Light Beauties: The Calathea Care Guide

Here's a guide on how to care for your Calathea!

The genius Calathea, known as dramatic, temperamental and fussy, will thrive and grow quickly with the right care and environment. Picky about their conditions, they will let you know if they are unhappy. Paying attention to their patterns will allow you to create a home they love.

Calathea

They are part of the Marantaceae family, which makes the Calathea cousins to the popular Prayer Plant. Bonus...the Calathea is pet-friendly!

View more pet-friendly plants here.

Here is an easy care guide to keep your Calathea alive and healthy

Light

They love filtered medium-low indirect light. You may notice the leaves moving in different parts of the day—this pattern is called nyctinasty—reaching high at night and bowing down during the day. It is believed that the leaves follow the sun movements for maxim photosynthesis.

 

Water

Less is more with Calatheas—water once the soil has dried 50%, typically once a week. Monitor the frequency as the watering needs of the plant vary with the amount of sunlight it receives. Be careful to not let the soil dry out. You can watch the leaves to determine how your watering schedule is working. If the leaves brown or wilt, you may need to increase the frequency of watering. 

Calatheas are sensitive to chemicals, so use filtered water with or water that has been sitting for 24 hours. 

 

Temperature and Humidity

Create a humid environments that mimic their tropical home. We recommend keeping a humidifier close and or placing the plant by the bathroom where humidity can come from the shower. This is key, especially in the dry Canadian climate. Maintain the space at a temperature of 18-22℃. 



Check out the varieties of Calatheas we carry:

Pin-Strip Calathea

Network™ Calathea

Calathea Roseopicta Rosy

Shop an assorted package of Calathea's here

Calathea leaves