The Calatheas are a stunning group of plants. They are native to the tropical Americas and are also known as prayer plants or zebra plants. The plant is a popular house plant and is very attractive. The plant is sought after by tropical gardeners and indoor plant lovers.

 

Calatheas have insignificant flowers, but their leaves are very attractive and large. The leaves may be patterned with interesting colorful lines, or colorful blotches or colorful spots. Calathea has pointed, oval, dark green leaves which are silvery - white stripe down center of leaf and a scalloped stripe down each side of leaf near the margin. There is a red tint on underside of leaf.

 

The height of Calathea may range from 6 inches to 3 feet tall. The foliage varies in color; some have rose, yellow, olive or white leaves.

 

A good quality Calathea may be produced, but careful attention must be given to the production environment. Mist and reduced light are important during the early stages of propagation. Soil for Calathea should be highly organic and well drained. Use plenty of coarse material in the soil mix to help water flow through. It requires frequent watering. Calatheas are produced by divisions or tip cuttings, with nodes to form the roots.

 

Calatheas are damaged by fluoride and the pH should be maintained near 6.5. Lower light levels can cause pale leaves with indistinct markings, while higher light levels result in tip necrosis and sometimes bleached areas on the leaf. The major arthropod pests of these plants include caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, and scales.  

 

Did you know?

 

• Calathea insignis, also called Rattlesnake plant, is a bushy species with narrow, tapering erect foliage.
• Popular Calathea varieties include: Calathea burle-marxii, Calathea burle-marxii, 'Ice Blue’ and Calathea burle-marxii 'Ice Green'.