Genus Information
Calathea is a Genus of plants that are found in the humid understory of tropical forests throughout the Americas. They are known as Prayer Plants due to their ability fold their leaves up during the night and then unfurl them in the morning in order to access the filtered sunlight on the forest floor. Kept for their varied and vibrant foliage they will not flower indoors despite flowering in their natural habitat.
Care Requirements – Moderate
Light requirements
Calathea rhufibarba requires bright indirect light.
Watering requirements
Keep the top of the soil damp at all times through Spring and Summer, increase time between watering slightly through Winter months. Best to water little and often.
Humidity requirements
Calathea requires humid and warm spot free from draughts. Either place in a bathroom or kitchen or mist regularly to help it stay healthy.
Growth
The Prayer Plant reaches heights of up to 0.5-1m and is a fast grower.
Origin
Originally native to South America.
Flowering
Calathea do not flower when kept as house plants.
Foliage
Calathea insignis has interesting green foliage with a soft purple underside which gives it it’s nickname of Velvet Calathea.
