How to Care for Calathea

Calathea are grown for their foliage rather than their flowers, and it is easy to see why. Their leaves come in an impressive range of patterns, from fine pinstripes and delicate brushstrokes to broad bands of cream, pink and green. Some varieties also have deep purple or burgundy undersides, which become visible as the leaves move throughout the day.

Calathea are often referred to as prayer plants because their leaves naturally rise and lower in response to the light. This daily movement is known as nyctinasty and is caused by a small joint of specialised tissue at the base of each leaf. As evening arrives, the leaves lift upwards, then gradually open again as morning light returns.

The genus comes from the tropical Americas, and the greatest concentration of species grows in the rainforests of Brazil. In the wild Calathea lives low down on the forest floor, in warm, wet shade under a thick canopy. It has a reputation for being fussy, but it is not really. It just wants you to recreate the forest floor rather than a sunny windowsill.

How Much Light Does Calathea Need?

Calathea prefers low to medium indirect light, which makes it one of the best plants for rooms that are not especially bright. A north-facing window, or a spot set well back from a brighter one, is ideal.

Direct sunlight is the fastest way to ruin one. The markings on the leaves fade, the colours wash out and the edges scorch. Because it is adapted to life in deep shade, its leaves have no defence against strong light. If your Calathea looks faded compared with the day you bought it, move it somewhere gentler and the new growth will come through with better colour.

How Often Should You Water Calathea?

Keep the compost lightly and evenly moist, watering when the very top of the soil starts to feel dry rather than letting the whole pot dry out. That usually means watering once or twice a week in spring and summer, and less often in winter.

The other half of the answer matters just as much: use the right water. Calathea is sensitive to the minerals, chlorine and fluoride found in tap water, and over time these build up and burn the leaf edges brown. Rainwater, filtered water or distilled water will make a visible difference. If you only have tap water, let it stand uncovered overnight before using it, and water a little more generously so excess salts flush out of the drainage holes.

What Humidity Does Calathea Need?

Calathea wants humidity of 60% or higher, and it is genuinely worth providing. It comes from the floor of Brazilian rainforest where the air is warm and saturated almost all the time, and its thin, wide leaves have no protection against dry air.

Most homes run at 40% to 50%, and in winter with the heating on that can fall below 35%. At those levels a Calathea develops brown, papery edges and curling leaves. Running a humidifier nearby is the most effective fix. Grouping plants together, using a tray of damp pebbles, or keeping it in a steamy bathroom all help too. Misting gives only a brief lift and can encourage leaf spotting, so it is not the best answer on its own.

What Temperature Does Calathea Need?

Calathea is happiest between 18°C and 26°C, with no sudden swings.

The lowest temperature it can withstand is around 15°C, and anything colder than that will damage the leaves and stall the plant completely. Cold draughts are its particular enemy, so keep it away from letterboxes, doors that open to the outside, and windowsills that get chilly at night. A warm, stable, slightly shaded spot is exactly what it wants.

How Do You Propagate Calathea?

Calathea cannot be grown from leaf or stem cuttings, so division is the only way to make more. Spring, when the plant is coming back into active growth, is the best time.

Water the plant a day beforehand so it is well hydrated, then slide it out of its pot and brush the compost away from the roots. Look for natural clumps, each with its own shoots and roots attached to the rhizome underneath. Separate these gently with your hands, or cut cleanly through the rhizome with a sterile knife if needed, making sure every section has several leaves and a healthy share of roots.

Pot each division into a small pot of moist, peat-free houseplant compost, water it in lightly and keep it somewhere warm, shaded and humid. Covering it loosely with a clear bag for a couple of weeks helps it recover. Expect it to sulk a little before it settles, which is normal.

Why Are My Calathea Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellow leaves on a Calathea usually mean the roots are too wet or too cold. If the lower leaves are yellowing and the compost is soggy, let it dry down further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely. If the plant sits somewhere cool, especially below 15°C, yellowing and limp leaves often follow, so move it to a warmer spot.

Brown crispy edges are the other classic Calathea complaint, and they are a different problem with a different fix. They point to dry air or to mineral build up from tap water. Raising humidity and switching to rainwater or filtered water solves it, although the existing damage will not heal. You can trim the brown edges off with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf.

A handful of habits keep Calathea looking good. Use rainwater wherever you can. Keep humidity high and temperature steady. Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant feed at half strength once a month in spring and summer only, because Calathea is sensitive to over feeding. Repot every couple of years in spring. And leave it in one place rather than moving it around, since it responds badly to change.

Shop Calathea at House of Kojo

Want to add some pattern to your shelves? Browse our Calatheas at House of Kojo, from the bold striped classics to the rarer collector varieties. Each plant is chosen by hand, packed carefully for the journey and sent out with simple care instructions.