Your guide to: Calatheas

Let’s take a minute to talk about Calatheas!

It’s true, they can sometimes be a bit dramatic (can’t we all) and most plant lovers you speak to give you ‘the look’ when you mention that you have bought one (the look indicates it’ll probably be dead within the month). However, this incredible species closes its leaves at night and reopens them again every morning, rearranging and changing everyday, which I think is well worth the extra care they require.

For this reason they are also known as the ‘living plant’, and what a great reminder that these beautiful houseplants we bring into our homes are also living beings, requiring similar basic needs as ourselves to survive (water, food, sunlight). It’s truly something that we can bring plants into our homes to remind us how wonderful the world is outside and in a small way connect us back to nature.

Ok, let’s not get too existential about it, now that I’ve convinced you that you need a Calathea in your life, let me list my favourites.

Calathea Orbifolia

In the top spot is Calathea Orbifolia. Native to Bolivia, it has big, beautiful, opal shaped, striped leaves which transport you straight into the heart of a jungle. This is the Calathea to go for if you’re looking for a statement piece in your home, growing up to three feet in height if kept in the correct conditions.

This is where we come to some of the ‘cons’ of having a Calathea, as mentioned above, they can be fussy. The Orbifolia in particular requires some work.

It needs regular watering, keeping the soil moist but not soggy (it also prefers rainwater or filtered water), and using a well draining potting mix. It also requires higher humidity but be careful, if kept in conditions too damp they can become prone to root rot & fungus. It’s natural lighting is on a bright but shaded rainforest floor, so a medium to bright spot is best (avoid direct sunlight). It also requires warm temperatures and hates cold drafts. This beauty is also non toxic though and so is great for animal lovers too!

Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant)

Second spot is given to the Peacock Plant, which has striking patterned leaves of contrasting light and deep greens. At night, the leaves fold up to reveal deep moody purples on the underside of the leaves, every inch the belle of the ball.

This calathea can do ok in a general houseplant soil, but it will need to be well draining. As with the Orbifolia, the peacock plant requires higher humidity levels, it may be worth investing in a humidifier if you have a few calatheas, or planting them on a pebble tray. Although you can mist a calathea, they prefer misting towards the underside of the leaves, be careful not to get the top of the leaves too wet. Again, as this plant is native to Eastern Brazil, it will prefer a warmer climate and bright indirect light.

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar

This is a special one to me as it’s the first calathea I ever owned (and very nearly killed). Although it perhaps isn’t as uniformly patterned and striking as the two above, the Triostar has a vibrant pink underside and lighter pink splashes on the leaves, still demanding attention for its beauty. It also has longer, thinner leaves but none the less has the distinct characteristics of a Calathea in that it moves every day almost giving you a new plant to look at every morning.

Watering needs to be regular, as with the two above, the soil needs to be kept moist but not soggy. It is ok to allow the top couple of inches to dry out before watering again. As with most calathea, it prefers a higher humidity, well draining soil and medium to bright indirect light.

These aren’t the type of plants you can ignore, largely due to being high maintenance but also because they really do look so tropical and lush! If I have managed to convince you that you’d like to give them a go, check out our online store where we have plenty of choice available.