How To Care For Plants

How to care for a Calathea (prayer plant)

Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)

Care facts verified
Calathea (prayer plant) (Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)), the species that wants medium indirect light; no direct sun
Photo: Flocci NivisCC BY 4.0source

Calatheas are forest-floor plants, so they want medium indirect light, soil kept lightly and evenly moist, and warm, humid air. The crispy brown leaf edges everyone complains about come from dry air and the minerals in tap water — switch to filtered or rainwater and lift the humidity, and those patterned leaves stay flawless.

Care at a glance

Light
Medium indirect light; no direct sunThese grow under a rainforest canopy, so direct sun fades the markings and burns the leaves. A bright room away from the window itself is perfect.
Water
Keep evenly moist with filtered or rainwaterNever let it dry out fully or sit in water. Fluoride and salts in tap water are a leading cause of brown edges, so use rainwater, filtered, or stand tap water out 24 hours.
Soil
Moisture-retentive but airy peat-free mixA houseplant compost with added perlite holds gentle moisture without going boggy.
Humidity
High — 60% or moreA humidifier or pebble tray is almost essential in a heated room; dry air crisps the edges.
Temperature
18–24 °C (64–75 °F); keep above 15 °CIt hates cold draughts and sudden chills, which cause leaf damage.
Difficulty
DemandingFussy about water quality and humidity — the diva of the prayer-plant family.
Pets
Non-toxic to petsNon-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). A safe choice for pet homes, though eating a lot of any leaf may cause mild stomach upset.

Where it comes from

Native rangeTropical rainforest floors of South America, especially Brazil

Propagation

Calatheas are propagated by division, not cuttings. At repotting time in spring, ease the plant from its pot, gently pull the root mass into clumps that each have several leaves and a share of roots, and pot them separately. Keep the divisions extra warm and humid — a covered spot or a clear bag for a couple of weeks helps them recover from the disturbance they dislike.

Common problems

  • Crispy brown leaf edges

    Likely cause: Low humidity and mineral build-up from tap water are the classic combination.

    Fix: Raise humidity above 60% and switch to filtered water or rainwater; trim damaged edges with scissors following the leaf shape.

  • Leaves curling or staying folded up

    Likely cause: Underwatering or air too dry — the plant rolls its leaves to conserve moisture.

    Fix: Check the soil is lightly moist and increase humidity; the leaves should relax once it is comfortable.

  • Faded, washed-out markings

    Likely cause: Too much light bleaching the leaf pattern.

    Fix: Move it out of direct sun into bright, indirect light to let the colours deepen again.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my calathea get crispy brown edges no matter what I do?

Two things usually combine: heated air that is too dry, and the fluoride and salts in tap water. Move to filtered water or rainwater and keep humidity above 60% and the new leaves come in clean.

Why do calathea leaves move up and down during the day?

They have a hinge-like joint at the leaf base called a pulvinus. It raises the leaves at night and lowers them by day, which is why the family is nicknamed prayer plants.

Is a calathea safe to have around cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists calatheas as non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them one of the better picks for pet households. Eating a large amount could still cause a mild upset stomach.

Can I use a calathea in a low-light bathroom?

A bathroom can be a great fit because of the humidity, as long as there is enough indirect daylight. In a genuinely dark room the markings fade and growth stalls.

Sources

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