Calathea

( kal - uh - THEE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Plants in this genus are commonly called Calatheas or Prayer Plants, and come in a variety of different foliage colors and patterns. Many species are popular container or indoor houseplants. Calathea was first introduced as a houseplant in the 1970s and 1980s. Leaves are commonly large and flowers can be yellow, purple, or white and bloom in summertime. Leaves are commonly purple or red on the undersides, and have variegations of pink, orange, red, white, or a combination. Calathea plants do produce small flowers, but rarely do so when grown indoors.

Calathea Species and Varietals

The genus Calathea is a member of the plant family Marantaceae and includes 60 species. The genus was much larger until about 200 species were moved to a separate but related genus, Geoppertia. These plants are commonly called Prayer Plants due to their tendency to close their foliage at night and open it back up during the day (a phenomenon known as Nictinasty). Calathea plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 11 and 12 or Sunset growing zones 24,-26, H1 and H2, and are widely grown as houseplants in all other zones (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map).

Calathea anulque
This species is native to Ecuador, and is commonly traded and sold as a houseplant. It grows naturally in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. It is considered an endangered species in its native range due to habitat loss and poaching. Individual plants reach up to between 24 and 36 inches tall at maturity.

Calathea crotalifera (Rattlesnake Plant, Rattle Shaker, Yellow Rattleshaker, Rattlesnake Ginger)
This species is native to central and southern Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America. It produces inflorescences that look like rattlesnake rattles, and is grown as an indoor ornamental houseplant. These plants grow from rhizome and can reach 10 feet tall in their natural habitat. These plants generally reach up to 2-5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide at maturity when in bloom.

Calathea 'Ginga'
Also referred to as 'Milky Way', and commonly sold under the botanical name Aspidistra elatior 'Milky Way'. This species has foliage speckled with white spots, reminiscent of a sky full of stars. This species is a commonly grown houseplant and outdoor tall groundcover, reaching up to 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity and forming clumps over time.

Calathea lutea (Bijao, Cigar Calathea, Cuban Cigar, Mexican Cigar Plant, Habana Plant, Pampano, Havana Cigar)
This species of Calathea is native to southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical South America. Growing from rhizome, these plants reach 10 feet tall and love wet soil. Leaves from these plants are sold in its native regions as food wrappers, and they are also cultivated as ornamental plants. Indoor specimens will be smaller.

Calathea orbifolia (Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant, Orbifolia Prayer Plant)
This species of Prayer Plant is native to Bolivia and is commonly grown as a houseplant in many areas of the world. It has beautiful leaves, requires partial shade, humidity, and good drainage to thrive. Individual plants reach up to between 2 and 3 feet tall and 1 and 2 feet wide at maturity.

Calathea picturata (Geoppertia picturata) (Painted Calathea, Silver Variegated Calathea)
This species of Calathea forms clumps of foliage, forming a groundcover that reaches 14-16 inches tall. Foliage is dark green above and purple-red underneath, with silver veining and markings on the leaf surface. Varietal 'Argentea' (usually sold under Geoppertia picturata 'Argentea') has silver leaves with green margins.

Calathea zebrina (Geoppertia zebrina) (Zebra Plant, Zebra Prayer Plant, Peacock Plant)
Native to southeastern Brazil, this species is an evergreen perennial and reaches just over 3 feet tall at maturity. Leaves are dark green above and red underneath, with leaf spines, margins, and veins etched in lime green to chartreuse. There are many cultivars, including:

'Burle Marx'

'Beauty'

'Beauty Star'

'Dottie'

'Eclipse'

'Flame Star'

'Freddie'

'Greystar'

'Indri'

'Lancifolia'

'Leopardina'

'Medallion'

'Mia'

'Misto'

'Pinstripe'

'Rattlesnake'

'Roseopicta'

'Rosy'

'Sanguinea'

'Warscewiczii'

'White Fusion'

'White Star'

Caring for calathea

Calathea can be grown outdoors in climates that remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. They prefer a space with bright, indirect light that is protected from direct sun, as foliage tends to burn. Foliage can also be damaged by wind. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but ensuring it does not become waterlogged. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Calathea plants can survive in the landscape for between 5 and 10 years if given proper care before needing to be replaced.

Growing Calathea Indoors
Calathea grown indoors will need to be placed in an area that receives indirect light. In their native landscapes, they grow in the understory of thick forested sites, and never receive direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. The best light is indirect sun from an east-, south-, or west-facing window. Choose a container that has a drainage tray underneath that can be filled with rocks; this will help to keep the area around the plant humid. The container should be 1-2 inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Fill with a well-draining substrate; a great mix for Calathea is a mix created for African Violets. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new pot. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist soil; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. After a few years, these plants will need to be divided to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to successfully divide a Calathea plant, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The best way to propagate a Calathea, or Prayer Plant, is to divide already existing plants. For instructions on how to divide these tropical plants, see the directions below:

Propagating Calathea by Division
Division is the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate your plant, as they need to be divided every three to five years to keep them healthy. Otherwise, the roots will become too crowded, especially if they are being grown in a cramped border or container. To use this method, gather a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately replant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots.

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. If the Calathea is being grown in a container, remove the entire root ball from the pot. Once you've gotten it out of the ground or pot, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least a few growing points per division. Inspect each segment to ensure healthy roots and lay them out on the ground. If there are any blackened or rotted out root areas, trim them at this time.
If you will be planting your Calathea in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. If you have issues with drainage in your garden, amend with loamy soil before planting. Backfill and water generously. If planting in a container, simply add well-draining substrate and top with a layer of mulch.