Calathea, commonly known as the Prayer Plant, might just be your perfect match. These stunning indoor plants are renowned for their striking foliage and fascinating daily leaf movements. Let's dive into everything you need to know about caring for these botanical beauties.
Understanding Your Prayer Plant
The Calathea family, particularly the stunning Prayer Plant Medallion, is celebrated for its dramatic leaf patterns and colours. These tropical beauties get their nickname from their unique habit of folding their leaves up at night, resembling hands in prayer. The Medallion variety showcases round leaves with distinctive dark green patterns on top and purple undersides, making it a true showstopper in any room.
Essential Indoor Plant Care Tips for Calathea Success
Light Requirements: Calatheas thrive in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can fade their beautiful patterns and scorch their leaves. Place them near an east or north-facing window for optimal growth.
Watering Needs: These plants prefer consistently moist soil but don't like to sit in water. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, using room temperature water. They're particularly sensitive to fluoride, so filtered water is ideal.
Humidity: As tropical plants, Calatheas love humidity. Maintain levels above 60% by using a humidifier, placing a pebble tray beneath the pot, or grouping them with other foliage plants.
Common Indoor Plant Problems and Solutions
Even with the best care, you might encounter some challenges:
Crispy Leaves: Usually indicates low humidity or using tap water. Switch to filtered water and increase humidity levels.
Yellow Leaves: Often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and use well-draining compost.
Fading Patterns: Too much direct sunlight can cause pattern fading. Move your plant to a more sheltered spot with indirect light.
Creating the Perfect Plant Display
Calatheas make stunning statement pieces, especially when paired with the right container. Choose from our range of stylish plant pots to complement your home's décor. For a tropical paradise effect, consider grouping your Calathea with other humidity-loving plants like indoor ferns or Monstera plants.
Seasonal Indoor Plant Care
During winter, reduce watering frequency but maintain humidity levels. Keep plants away from cold drafts and heating vents. In spring and summer, increase watering as needed and feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertiliser.
Why Choose Houseplant UK for Your Calathea
At Houseplant UK, we take pride in delivering the highest quality plants right to your doorstep. Our Prayer Plant Medallion comes with our quality promise, ensuring each plant is carefully checked before dispatch. With express 1-2 day delivery and over 250,000 satisfied customers, you can trust us to help grow your indoor jungle.
Expert Plant Care Support
If you're new to plant parenthood, don't worry! Calatheas can be categorised between our easy care plants and our rare and unusual plants collections, depending on the variety. Our team is always here to help with expert advice and care tips.
Ready to welcome a Prayer Plant into your home? Visit our Calathea collection today and choose from our carefully curated selection. With our express delivery service and quality guarantee, your new plant companion is just a click away. Don't forget to explore our range of plant care essentials to give your Calathea the best start in its new home!