Calatheas are part of the ‘prayer plant’ family, Marantaceae. The prayer plant nickname stems from the daily movements of the plants leaves, known as nyctinasty.Various plants in this family move their leaves up at nighttime and lower them in the daytime in accordance to a circadian rhythm. Humidity: Calatheas prefer higher humidity if possible. Consider incorporating a fine-mist mister or humidifier to boost humidity level indoors. Water: Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. *We recommend Bottom-watering, sometimes called reverse watering, is when you place a plant in a bowl of water, allowing the soil and roots to soak water from the bottom up. (Naturally, your pot needs to have drainage holes for this to work). Temperature: Like most popular houseplants, calatheas prefer temperatures in the 65°F-85°F range (18°C-30°C), similar to their tropical native habitat. It’s best not to let the temperature go below 60°F (15°C) to avoid cold damage. Food:Calatheas prefer a well-draining potting soil or mix. Look for ingredients like compost, pine bark, coco coir, worm castings, and perlite. These provide nutrients and help maintain moisture (but not too much). Tip: They are considered non-toxic, making them safe to keep around cats and dogs. However, the best practice is to keep houseplants out of reach of small children and curious pets just in case.
