How to Care for an Indoor Plant Called Calathea
Calathea is a decorative tropical plant that is often used as a potted house plant because of its beautiful foliage. In its native regions, such as Thailand, the leaves are used for wrapping fish for exports and making decorative containers as a tourist attraction. Calathea is somewhat temperamental as a house plant, usually because it does not receive the humidity it needs to thrive. Knowledge of how to treat the plant will help you keep it alive and thriving for long periods of time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place the calathea in a north-facing window. The plant likes bright light, but too much direct sun will burn the leaves.
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Place a layer of pebbles in a tray underneath the potted plant. Keep these pebbles wet to increase humidity from underneath the plant.
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Water the calathea thoroughly with filtered water when the soil is even slightly dry. The plant is particularly sensitive to soft and hard water, as well as the fluoride and calcium added to tap water. Do not let the calathea dry out, but also do not keep the roots soaking wet.
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Fertilize the plant minimally, only when it is growing most vigorously in the summer. Use a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength, and follow the directions on the package for application instructions.
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Place a humidifier near the plant in the winter months, and keep it on during the day. Indoor heating systems create very dry air, almost like a desert. Because the calathea is a tropical plant, it needs extra humidity during this time to survive.
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