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How to Care For a Calathea Prayer Plant
How to Care For a Calathea Prayer Plant
Calatheas (also known as prayer plants, maranta leuconeura) are a super fun tropical plant that brings handpainted flair to your home or office.calathea prayer plant They’re also fab air-purifiers, and kids and pets love them too because they are nontoxic to touch. This plant can be fussy but with the right care it will flourish.
Like other tropicals, calatheas prefer indirect light to bright sunlight.calathea prayer plant They’re used to shady rain forest floors in their natural environment, so direct light can burn their gorgeous leaves. They also need humidity, so grouping them together with other plants will help create more of an indoor rainforest.
To keep a calathea happy, water it regularly.calathea prayer plant It needs to be moist but not saturated, so make sure the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry before watering. It’s easy to overwater this plant, so be cautious. Over time, this can cause root rot. It’s a good idea to wipe the leaves occasionally, too. This removes dust and promotes photosynthesis.
When a calathea is thirsty, you’ll notice it will droop and the leaves will become soft and limp. If this happens, soak it in a sink full of water for about 10 minutes until the soil is moist but not soggy. Then, gently shake the excess water off and put it back in its pot.
A droopy calathea can be caused by several things, including overwatering, incorrect water temperature, low humidity or nutrient deficiency. If this is the case, repot it and make sure to use a well-draining tropical mix that contains worm castings, pumice, peat moss, and orchid bark or coco coir. Then, plant it in a slightly larger pot and water generously.
Another common problem with a calathea is brown or crispy tips on the leaves. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as using tap water that’s high in minerals, too little light, or overwatering. If this is the case, switch to filtered or rainwater and water it generously until it’s moist but not soggy. Increase humidity by misting the plant or grouping it with other plants to act as a humidifier.
Repot your calathea every one to two years to give the roots fresh soil and encourage growth. If you decide to repotted, do it in the spring. When you do, pick a container that’s slightly bigger than the old one to avoid overwatering.
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