Plant Spotlight of the Week: Calathea

Plant Spotlight of the Week:

Calathea

A genus of flowering plants belonging to the Marantaceae family, calathea contain about 60 species and are native to Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. With leaves that range in color from pink, red, white, and orange, the plant will fold its leaves up at night and unravel them in the morning to reach for sunlight. This is caused by the movement of a tiny joint the plant possesses called a pulvinus. The process for which this all stems from is called nyctinasty. The circadian rhythm-based nastic movement of higher plants in response to the onset of darkness. You can also find that in the summer calathea will bloom and flower (if kept outdoors.) 

Care Tips

-Because these plants grow in shady parts of the tropical canopies, low to medium light is what you wanna give it. Too much sun and sunburn will soon occur. 

-This plant also needs high humidity levels to support growth. Your kitchen and bathroom would be perfect places for your plant. Warm temperatures are also a must. Ideally you want to keep these plants in a range between 75 and 85 degrees. 

-As a result of being sensitive to chemicals and minerals found in tap water, watering with distilled and spring water while also using reverse osmosis to water the plant is best to give it a balance of needed nutrients. 

-Consider using a well-draining potting mix when potting your calathea. Pine bark and worm castings are a couple of the ingredients you should look for when choosing a potting mix as they add a boost of needed nutrients.

Plant tip #2: This species was introduced in the 1970s and have grown in popularity because of their look and tropical feel.