Calathea
La Calathea es una planta muy chula con un aspecto único que sin duda te hará volver y mirarla más de cerca. ¡Debe tenerla en su casa! La Calathea es una planta muy chula con un aspecto único que sin du...
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The Calathea: a living work of art for your home
The Calathea is a striking houseplant known for its beautiful leaf markings and rich colours. From deep purple undersides to vivid green patterns, every Calathea is a living work of art.
Originally from the tropical rainforests of South America, the Calathea grows in the shade of tall trees. That natural habitat has made it a true shade lover. The Calathea is also called the 'prayer plant' or 'living plant', because at night its leaves fold together as though in prayer. It is a lovely thing to watch, and it is exactly where those nicknames come from.
Is the Calathea air-purifying?
The prayer plant is known for its air-purifying qualities. Like many other houseplants, the Calathea is able to filter certain toxins out of the air and improve the air quality in your home. Among other things, it absorbs harmful substances such as benzene, formaldehyde and toluene.
Is the Calathea toxic?
Happily, the Calathea is not toxic and completely safe around children and pets! That is why we list it with a clear conscience under our pet-friendly houseplants.
Is the prayer plant a difficult plant?
Calatheas are generally seen as reasonably straightforward houseplants, but in practice they do ask for a fair bit of attention. They are sensitive to changes in their surroundings and are more demanding than many other houseplants. They do well in spots with indirect light or partial shade, though the living plant copes with less light than many other species. Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves quickly. Keep the potting soil slightly moist: don't let it dry out, but don't make it too wet either. Finding that balance can take a bit of trial and error, which makes this plant slightly less suitable for the beginner.
The different kinds of Calathea
At Green Bubble we offer several kinds of beautiful Calathea. Here are our favourites!
Calathea Compactstar
The beautiful leaves of the Calathea Compactstar are light green with dark green markings. The underside of the leaf is purple.
Calathea Orbifolia
This is one of our favourites. The Calathea Orbifolia has unusual, silver-striped leaves in a fresh green. The plant is an eye-catcher in any home.
Calathea Warscewiczii
The deep green, dark leaves of the Calathea Warscewiczii steal the show at your place. The leaves look just like velvet!
Calathea Medaillon
The beautiful leaf markings on the Calathea Medaillon really do make an impression. Combined with the dark red underside, this plant is an asset to any home.
How do you care for the prayer plant?
The Calathea is a beautiful houseplant, but it is important to give it the right care.
- Watering: water the plant weekly. The soil should stay slightly moist, but never soggy. Check regularly that the soil has dried out before you water again.
- Light: the Calathea grows best in bright indirect light or light shade. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
- Pruning: prune away dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant healthy and encourage growth. Pruning also helps you keep the shape you want.
- Humidity: Calatheas adore high humidity! If the air in your home is dry, you could mist the plant regularly with a plant mister.
The ideal spot for the prayer plant
The Calathea is no fan of bright sunshine. It feels far more at home in a mostly shady spot. Avoid places directly in front of a window or above a radiator. The living plant loves a humid environment, and above a hot radiator it is thoroughly out of its element. A radiator gives off a great deal of dry air, and so does underfloor heating.
Pruning the Calathea and taking cuttings
Pruning a prayer plant and taking cuttings from it isn't complicated. If you look after the plant well, you won't need to prune your Calathea often. Old or dead leaves can simply be snipped off close to the main plant. That way the plant sends its energy to the healthy leaves.
We explain how to take cuttings from the Calathea in our blog 'How do I take cuttings from my Calathea?'
Diseases and pests on the Calathea
It is worth knowing that every houseplant is susceptible to plant diseases, but happily the prayer plant is generally quite resistant. In the winter months the plant may be prone to spider mite. Spider mites can appear when the air around the plant is too dry. You can mist the leaves preventatively with a plant mister filled with water. Misting the leaves not only raises the humidity, it also considerably reduces the risk of spider mite.
Buying a Calathea at Green Bubble
Green Bubble is the place to buy a colourful prayer plant! When you buy a plant you naturally want the healthiest, best-looking one there is. We work every day to send out only the highest quality plants, which is why ours come straight from the grower.
Want to buy a Calathea without traipsing all the way to a shop? At Green Bubble you order all your houseplants online easily, and they arrive at your front door within a few working days. That way you never have to lug plants around again. Shop at Green Bubble now!
