Calatheas have some of the most beautifully patterned leaves in the houseplant world — Calathea orbifolia's silver stripes, Calathea ornata's pink pinstripes, Calathea medallion's deep green and purple medallions. They are also notoriously demanding: high humidity, filtered water and consistent warmth are non-negotiable. Get those right and they thrive.
Quick reference
| Scientific name | Calathea spp. (now Goeppertia) |
|---|---|
| Common names | Calathea, Prayer Plant (loosely), Peacock Plant |
| Family | Marantaceae |
| Native to | Tropical Americas |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Pet safety | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans — pet-safe. |
Calathea care guide
Light
Medium, indirect light. Calatheas are understory plants and dislike direct sun, which scorches their patterned leaves.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy). Water when the top 1 cm of soil feels dry — usually every 4–6 days. Always use filtered, distilled or rainwater; calatheas are highly sensitive to chlorine and fluoride.
Humidity
60% or higher is essential. A humidifier is almost mandatory in most homes — pebble trays alone are usually not enough.
Temperature
Comfortable from 18–26 °C (65–80 °F). Avoid temperatures below 15 °C and any cold drafts.
Soil
Light, moisture-retentive but airy mix — equal parts potting soil, coco coir or peat, and perlite.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
Pruning
Trim brown leaf edges with sharp scissors for cosmetic improvement. Remove fully brown leaves at the base.
Repotting
Every 2 years in spring. Calatheas prefer being slightly root-bound to stressed and re-rooting.
Propagation
By division during repotting — gently separate natural clumps and pot each section in its own container.
Common Calathea problems
Brown crispy leaf edges
Cause: Tap water (chlorine, fluoride or salt buildup); occasionally low humidity.
Fix: Switch to filtered, distilled or rainwater immediately. Boost humidity to 60%+.
Curling leaves
Cause: Thirsty plant or too much direct light.
Fix: Check soil — water if dry. Move out of direct sun.
Spider mites (fine webbing)
Cause: Dry air conditions favour spider mites on calatheas.
Fix: Rinse leaves with a strong water spray, treat with insecticidal soap weekly for 3 weeks, and raise humidity.
How PlantCare Pro can help with your Calathea
Scan your Calathea in the PlantCare Pro app to confirm the species, get a 0–100 health score, and receive a personalised, weather-aware care plan. Save it to My Garden to track its health over time and get notified when something looks wrong.
Calathea FAQ
Why do my calathea's leaves keep going brown?
Tap water is the most common cause — chlorine, fluoride and salts accumulate in the leaves over time. Switch to filtered, distilled or rainwater and the new growth should be clean.
Are calatheas hard to care for?
They're more demanding than beginner plants. The three key requirements — high humidity (60%+), filtered water, and stable warmth — are non-negotiable. Meet those and they're not difficult.
Why do calathea leaves move at night?
The 'prayer' movement is a natural circadian rhythm called nyctinasty — calatheas raise their leaves at night and lower them during the day. It's a sign of a healthy plant.