Calathea in ceramic pot (40 cm)

The genus calathea includes some of the most beautiful tropical plants in the world, characterized by boldly marked, oblong leaves in a dazzling array of colors. Due to the plant's eye-catching stripes and veining, they're often known by nicknames such as the zebra plant, peacock plant, or rattlesnake plant. Native to Brazil and grown indoors year-round, calathea are true tropicals in every sense of the word, gaining a reputation for being somewhat fussy about their grow conditions. However, once those conditions are maintained, these tropicals will thrive and grow rather quickly, often reaching a mature size of one to two feet tall in a year. In addition to being popular house plants, calathea can also be found planted ornamentally outdoors in tropical environments like Hawaii or southern Florida.

Calathea Care

Calathea have a reputation as greenhouse plants, and it's easy to see why. They're highly sensitive to chilly temperatures and grow best when kept in the warm, humid environment greenhouses often provide. The good news: You don't have to call a greenhouse or glass atrium home in order to care for one of these tropical beauties. As long as you take care to mimic the balmy temps, moisture-packed air, and shady environment calathea love, they can thrive in nearly any household.

Light

While it may seem counterintuitive for a plant that is considered tropical, calathea plants actually prefer filtered, indirect light or shade. They're used to growing beneath a canopy of trees on the jungle floor and are therefore adapted to brief dapples of sunlight instead of constant harsh rays. In fact, it's best to keep your calathea plants out of direct sunlight, as too much light can burn the leaves and cause their vibrant patterns to fade. You may also notice the leaves of your calathea move throughout the day, often folding upwards at night and opening wider in the morning. These movements are known as nyctinasty and are thought to follow the sun's movement in the sky in an attempt to maximize light absorbancy in the wild.

Soil

Moisture is of utmost importance to a calathea plant, so opt for a soil blend that retains water well. A peaty potting mixture that is lightweight and airy works best, as does any specialty mix geared towards African violets. Be sure to plant your calathea in a pot with drainage holes at its base; although it likes moist soil, it is still susceptible to root rot if it becomes waterlogged. Additionally, calathea plants prefer slightly acidic soil, thriving best in an environment with a pH of around 6.5.

Water

The calathea is one thirsty plant and does best when watered regularly in order to maintain a consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Depending on your home environment, this could mean watering your calathea plant every few days, once a week or once every other week—the most important rule of thumb is to never let the soil dry out. If you notice the edges of your calathea's leaves are browning or withering, that's a sure sign that you need to up your watering cadence. Calathea are also surprisingly picky when it comes to the type of water they receive and are known to be sensitive to several minerals typically found in most tap waters, which can cause their leaves to yellow. To avoid this, water your calathea with filtered water, rainwater, or allow your tap water to sit out overnight so that any chlorine or fluoride present can evaporate.