Calathea plant is one of the best plants that can thrive in indoor conditions and at the same time adds more greenery to your indoor space. The plant belongs to the Marantaceae family and there are 300 species of this plant available in the world. The plant belongs to the tropical regions of South America and it is a very beautiful pot plant. The calathea plant has variegated foliage along with beautiful flowers that bloom in summer with yellow, purple, and white colors.
Calathea plant is also known as a prayer plant commercially in many parts of the world. But do you know why is a Calathea called a prayer plant? The plant tends to close its leaves in the night and it looks as if the plant is praying and thus it was named praying plant. The plant then opens its leaves in the morning to receive the light. The plant is easy to grow and care for if perfect growing conditions are provided indoors.
Benefits of Calathea plant
- The calathea plant is a great indoor plant as it helps in purifying the air and provides fresh oxygen. It promotes a healthier environment by taking carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen for humans.
- The plant not only purifies your nearby surroundings but also gives you a pleasant and charming look to your indoor setting.
- The calathea plant helps in removing the toxins present in the form of dust and thus you and your plant can breathe fresh air.
- If you have dry skin issues and respiratory issues due to less humidity in the atmosphere, place a calathea plant in your room and it will add moisture inside your room.
- These plants are kid and pet friendly and you can place them in your living room, bedroom or anywhere you want without having to think about your loved ones.
Also read: Staghorn Fern: Know How to Care & Grow this Expensive Plant
Most famous Types of Calathea Plant
There are so many different varieties of calathea plants and all of them have distinct colored foliage that grabs the attention of every person. Although they are different, if you want to take care of the calathea plant, you need to follow the same procedure for all.
- Calathea Orbifolia: The Calathea Orbifolia can grab your attention through its large green leaves that grow around 8-12 inches wide and streaked with a silver line. For the plant’s best growth, keep it away from direct sunlight and provide good humidity around the plant. The plant will thrive very well in indoor temperatures between 65°F to 80°F.
- Calathea Lancifolia: Calathea Lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant) is unique just because it has the same markings as the rattlesnake. They Have glossy leaves and the plant grows around 18 inches tall. To grow this plant you need well-drained moist soil, indirect sunlight and humid conditions.
- Calathea Zebrina: The Calathea Zebrina, also known as the Zebra plant/Calathea can be easily identified due to its dark green stripes running across the leaves and resembling a zebra’s striper. They will bloom very well in well-drained moist soil and favourable tropical temperatures.
- Calathea Roseopicta: Calathea Roseopicta has striking foliage that is oval in shape and bright green on the top and purple at the bottom. There are different varieties in Calathea Roseopicta like the Calathea Roseopicta Medallion, Rosey, Dottie, and Corona. Keep the temperature between 65°F to 80°F with well-drained soil for the good growth of the plant.
- Calathea Makoyana: Also known as the peacock plant, the Calathea Makoyana has beautiful thin leaves which are light green with dark green peacock markings on top of it. The undersides are purple in color with a reddish stem. For this calathea plant propagation, you need bright indirect sunlight, well-drained soil and a temperature between 60°F and 75°F.
- Calathea Rufibarba: The Calathea Rufibarba is also known as the Velvet or Furry Calathea. This spear-shaped Brazilian plant has a burgundy underside and green leaves on top. Do not place this plant in soggy soil and avoid bright direct sunlight if you want good growth of this plant. Keep the temperature between 65°F and 80°F.
- Calathea White Fusion (Variegated): The white fusion calathea has variegated foliage with bright green leaves with bright white stripes, making it perfect for people who love showy plants indoors. The underside of the leaves is lavender in color and the plant needs bright indirect light just like other calathea plants with moist soil and favorable climate conditions.
- Calathea Setosa: The Calathea Setosa is known for its silvery green foliage that looks stunning inside your indoor settings. You can expect this plant to grow around 10-12 inches if you put it under bright indirect light, water it regularly after the soil gets dry and keep it in temperature between 65°F and 80°F.
- Calathea Warscewiczii: Also known as the jungle velvet, the Calathea Warscewiczii plant is one of the famous varieties of Calathea. A mature plant can grow up to 3 feet with 12 inches wide leaves. This Costa Rica-based plant has bright green leaves with fishtail-like stripes on them with a purple-colored backside of the leaves.
- Calathea Crocata: The Calathea Crocata has beautiful bright yellow colored leaves that give it the name of eternal flame. The beautiful tropical plant is native to the forest of Brazil and has beautiful dark green spear-shaped leaves. To avoid this calathea plant drooping, you need to water it regularly after losing its moisture and keeping the temperature between 65°F and 80°F.
Every species of this plant has some distinct features but if you see your calathea plant dying you should look at the most basic things required for the growth of plant like eh humidity around the plant, temperature, is the soil well drained or not and if you are watering the plant regularly in the blooming period or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many species of Calathea plant are there?
There are around 300 species of Calathea plant.
Q2: Which Calathea plant is easiest to grow?
The Calathea Lancifolia is considered as the easiest to grow among all the Calathea species.
Q3: What are the best conditions for the growth of the Calathea plant?
The Calathea plant grows very well if you provide well-drained moist soil, with regular waterings, bright indirect light and a humid atmosphere.
