Calathea care

This name is due to their movement, as the leaves fold up after dark. The daily movement of plant leaves is known as nyctinasty. Various plants in this family move their leaves upward at night and lower them during the day. Have you noticed this in your plant? They move their leaves by changing the water pressure in their pulvini, the swollen nodes at the base of the leaf, along the petiole. These movements are thought to follow the movement of the sun in the sky to maximize light absorption.

light requirements

This plant requires a lot of light on a daily basis, but direct sunlight can be problematic for it as it can burn the leaves and fade the color. This is mainly because these plants are jungle plants, growing on the forest floor where they are shaded from the sun by the overlying foliage. If you have a shady spot in your home, this plant will likely thrive there.

temperature and humidity requirements

The Calathea is used to warmer climates and therefore thrives best in room temperature. At higher temperatures, the leaves will curl up to protect them from the heat. Also, make sure the plant is not near windows and doors with drafts so that it does not suffer from cold shock. They also like humidity so that they can absorb moisture through their leaves as they would in their natural environment. If the leaves are too dry, they tend to turn a little brown around the edges. The air in the room should be above 50 percent.

Pour

Calatheas like moist soil, so it's important that they get enough water. However, too much water can drown the plants, so you need to keep the soil moist but not wet.

repotting

The Calathea does not need to be repotted often, but it is a good idea to repot it every two years to ensure that the soil contains enough nutrients for the plant to grow and that the roots have not become too large for the pot the plant is currently in.

Are they toxic to pets?

The Calathea plant is non-toxic to dogs and cats who may chew on a leaf while it is growing in your home.