Calathea Care: How to Keep a Calathea Plant Healthy

Calatheas, which belong to the Marantaceae family, are perennials that make for good indoor plants. However, they can also grow outside in a humid environment.

Sometimes called prayer plants, calatheas, which are native to Brazil, react to light and darkness. The plant can handle a few hours of direct sunlight but it doesn't do well in colder temperatures. The leaves have a dark green topside and a purple underside

Calathea plants can do with some direct sunlight, but be careful with giving them too much light. They prefer bright indirect light and will grow best in a shady room. Place your zebra plants away from any open windows with sunlight.

The tropical plants come from Brazil, so they prefer humidity. You can provide ample humidity by placing a humidifier in the room, or by placing the potted plants on top of a saucer filled with pebbles. Add water to the pebbles and the humidity will travel up through the pebbles and the pot to the plant's roots.

Instead of tap water, use distilled water. Alternatively, you can save rain water for your plants. Don't heavily water cathedral plants. Feed them room temperature water when the soil an inch (2.5 centimeters) below the surface is dry.

The plants require regular watering during the summer months and less frequent watering during the colder months. You can periodically give the plants houseplant fertilizer.

Groom your calathea plant regularly to keep it looking beautiful. Wipe any dust off the leaves with a clean, damp cloth. Mist the leaves to ensure that all sides of the plants receive humidity and moisture. Remove any yellow leaves to keep your plant strong and growing.