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How to Care for your Calathea Prayer Plant

Read our tips on how to care for this trendy but tricky, tropical beauty in our Calathea care guide.

18 September 2025 | Green Inspiration

Calathea (Prayer Plant) Care Guide

Learn how to care for your  gorgeous Calathea, aka the Prayer Plant. This tropical plant is one of our all-time favourites here at TLB and, in our humble opinion, is one of the most beautifully striking houseplants, thanks to his stunning patterned leaves.

This tropical beauty belongs to the Marantaceae family, originally from North America, there are over 30 varieties of Calathea in this genus and many of them prove very popular as potted houseplants.

Read more to find out about our handy care tips and FAQ to learn all about the Calathea.

Calathea
View the family of Calathea plants
variety of houseplants on tables including the Calathea

Caring for the Calathea (Prayer Plant)

Now, as houseplants go, the Prayer Plant, which is sometimes dubbed as a ‘Drama Queen’, is not what we’d typically describe as low maintenance. However, if you are not phased by a somewhat demanding green buddy and have the time to perfect his care requirements then you will be richly rewarded with a botanical beauty that brings colour, movement and stunning patterns to your home. Read on to discover all you need to know to keep your Calathea thriving in your home.

Watering your Calathea (Prayer Plant)

Getting the watering routine right is one of the most important aspects of Calathea care. These plants thrive with consistent hydration and will reward you with lush, vibrant foliage when properly tended.

Key Guidelines

  • Keep soil evenly moist: The top inch should remain slightly damp — never bone dry or waterlogged.

  • Adapt to your environment: Frequency depends on factors like temperature, humidity, and pot size. Warmer, drier conditions mean more frequent watering.

  • Check regularly: When acclimating a new Calathea, monitor the soil every 2–3 days to learn how quickly it dries in your home.

  • Typical schedule: Most Calatheas need water about once a week, more often during active growth or hot weather, and less during cooler months.

  • Naturally thirsty: Consistent moisture supports their broad leaves and distinctive patterns.

Best Watering Practices

  • Use the right water: Filtered, distilled, or rainwater is best, as Calatheas are sensitive to fluoride, chlorine, and salts in tap water.

  • Match the temperature: Always water with room-temperature water to avoid root shock.

  • Ensure drainage: Choose a pot with drainage holes and never let the plant sit in excess water. Empty saucers promptly.

  • Water evenly: Apply water across the soil surface so the entire root system is hydrated.

  • Try bottom watering: Occasionally place the growing pot in a shallow tray of water or in the sink for 15-20 minutes to encourage deep-root hydration.

 

two separate images of a Prayer Plant nearby plant accessories

Light requirements for Calathea (Prayer Plant)

Calatheas thrive in conditions that mimic their natural rainforest environment, where large tree canopies filter the sun. Providing the right type of light is key to keeping their foliage healthy and vibrant.

Key Light Requirements

  • Avoid direct sunlight: Harsh rays can scorch and fade the delicate leaves.

  • Prefer indirect light: Place your Calathea in a spot with medium to bright indirect light for best growth.

  • Tolerates lower light: Unlike many houseplants, Calatheas adapt well to relatively low-light conditions, making them ideal for homes without abundant natural light.

  • Think canopy conditions: Aim to replicate dappled or filtered light, as the plant would naturally experience under rainforest trees.

Best Placement Practices

  • Position the plant near an east- or north-facing window for gentle light exposure.

  • If using a south- or west-facing window, keep the plant several feet away or filter the light with sheer curtains.

  • Avoid dark corners with little or no natural light; if needed, supplement with a grow light designed for houseplants.

  • Rotate the pot every few weeks to encourage even growth and prevent the plant from leaning toward the light source.

Temperature Needs of your Calathea (Prayer Plant)

As a tropical native, the Calathea thrives in consistently warm environments. Keeping your plant within its preferred temperature range will help maintain vibrant, healthy foliage.

Key Guidelines

  • Ideal range: Calatheas do best in temperatures above 18°C, with a minimum threshold of 15°C.

  • Tropical tolerance: They can handle warmer conditions up to the high 20s°C, making them resilient during hot summer spells.

  • Avoid cold stress: Temperatures below 15°C can damage the plant, leading to leaf curling, browning, or slowed growth.

Best Placement Practices

  • Keep your Calathea in a stable indoor environment, away from drafts, radiators, and air conditioners.

  • Avoid placing the plant near cold windows during winter months.

  • If your home fluctuates in temperature, consider grouping Calathea with other tropical plants to create a microclimate of warmth and humidity.

  • During summer, ensure the plant doesn’t sit in stagnant hot air — gentle airflow helps mimic tropical breezes.

Humidity needs of your Calathea (Prayer Plant)

High humidity is essential for Calatheas to maintain their lush foliage and prevent leaf edges from crisping. Mimicking the moist, tropical air of their natural habitat will keep your plant thriving.

Key Guidelines

  • High humidity required: Aim for levels of 50–60% or higher for optimal growth.

  • Low humidity stress: Dry air can cause brown tips, curled leaves, or slowed growth.

  • Ideal placement: Bathrooms and kitchens often provide naturally higher humidity, making them excellent locations.

Best Humidity Practices

  • Use a humidifier: Placing one near your Calathea ensures a stable, moisture-rich environment.

  • Mist occasionally: Light misting can provide a temporary boost, though it’s best combined with other methods.

  • Group plants together: Clustering houseplants creates a shared humid microclimate.

  • Tray method: Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (without touching the base) to increase local humidity.

  • Monitor levels: Use a small hygrometer to check your room’s humidity and adjust conditions as needed.

an image of a person using a mister on a Prayer Plant and a Calathea with Green and Pink foliage

Propogating your Calathea (Prayer Plant)

Unlike many houseplants that can be propagated easily from stem or leaf cuttings, Calatheas can only be propagated through division. This method works best during repotting in the spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing.

Key Guidelines

  • Division only: Calatheas do not root successfully from cuttings. Propagation is achieved by carefully dividing the root system.

  • Best time: Carry out division during repotting, ideally in spring or early summer for the highest success rate.

  • Plant maturity: Ensure the mother plant is healthy and well-established before attempting propagation.

Propagation Steps

  1. Remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the root ball.

  2. Identify natural divisions — sections of the plant with their own shoots and roots.

  3. Separate carefully, ensuring each division has roots and at least one healthy stem with leaves.

  4. Replant divisions into fresh, well-draining potting mix suitable for Calatheas.

  5. Water lightly and place in a warm, humid spot with indirect light to reduce transplant shock.

  6. Maintain high humidity during the first few weeks to encourage establishment

Shop Calathea (Prayer Plant) at The Little Botanical

As we noted earlier in the blog, there are many varieties of Calathea and we’re pleased to say that we stock a number of them here at The Little Botanical. Our Calathea plants come in a wide variety of colours, all with those stunning, signature patterned leaves so you can choose a patterned beauty that is exactly right for you. Take a look at what we have to offer and choose your favourite.

Firstly, we have our gorgeous green Calathea, with his striking combination of light and dark green patterned leaves. Available in a choice of stoneware or our signature belly baskets, this gorgeous greenery will make a fab style statement in your home. And if you already have the perfect pot for this beautiful praying plant, he’s available naked too!

Popular Calathea selections

Our British-grown Calathea range

We stock British grown, unique varieties of Calathea. Each variety has their own look and comes in a choice of different coloured stoneware. Whatever you choose, your new healthy plant, grown by specialists, will arrive at your door, instantly ready to be popped in your chosen spot.

Calathea Angela

Perhaps the simply stunning Calathea Angela will be the variety for you. This boldly patterned beauty in striking shades of green and silvery pink will brighten up your interiors.

Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea Orbifolia

Next up we have a more subtly patterned beauty; the Calathea Orbifolia, whose large oval leaves in stripey shades of light and bright green are simply stunning. Pop him on a sideboard or windowsill and prepare to swoon.

Calathea Elgergrass

Our Calathea Elgergrass is oh so unusual with his distinctive elongated leaves with wavy edges. They are deep green on top and a gorgeous maroon colour on the underside, so you will enjoy a changing colour scene as the leaves move up and down at dusk and dawn, just gorgeous.

Calathea Medallion

Maximise the striking beauty of our gorgeous Calathea Medallion by placing him in a light and airy space for all to see and admire. You won’t want to miss his stunning green patterned leaves during the day, but keep an eye on him at dusk when you’ll be treated to a view of gorgeous deep purple on the underside of his leaves.

Our stunning Calathea Trio

We know there is so much choice within the Calathea range, so many different patterns and colours it can be very difficult to choose which one is for you. If that’s how you’re feeling, you might want to check out our Calathea Trio. A gorgeous combo of patterns and colours potted in beautiful stoneware to really take your urban jungle styling up a gear. With the added benefit that they will act as humidifiers for one another, helping them to stay healthy too, win-win.

Why not go for a big Calathea?

Perhaps you’ve got a dark, dreary corner that’s just crying out for an injection of gorgeous patterned greenery. If that’s the case, take a look at our Big Calathea, available in our signature seagrass and cotton belly basket or our hand-painted grey ceramic, this big beauty will make a striking statement in any room.

Fun Facts about the Prayer Plant

Throughout this blog, we have referred to this plant by its most common nickname of the Prayer Plant and you might be wondering why. This nickname is inspired by the nocturnal habits of the so-called Prayer Plant. At night time, this spectacular plant puts on quite a show; the leaves fold upwards giving the appearance of praying hands. It is thought that this graceful movement allows the plant to capture the rays of the sun optimally during different times of day (or night).

The Prayer Plant is known as a symbol of new beginnings, this is derived from the well-known phrase ‘to turn over a new leaf’ and is inspired by the nocturnal activity of the moving leaves.

Your Calathea is much more than just a pretty leaf; he is also a fab air-purifying plant too. He will reward all your hard work tending to his rather demanding needs by cleansing the air around you.

And last but definitely not least, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Calathea is non-toxic, meaning he is perfectly safe around your furry friends, hurrah!

large calathea variations and other houseplants

Frequently Asked Questions about the Prayer Plant

The Calathea has a motor organ at the base of its leaves called the pulvinus. The cells that make up the pulvinus shrink and swell due to the pressure caused by the osmotic flow of water. This, in turn, creates the visible movement of the leaves.

A number of things can cause brown tips on the leaves of your Prayer Plant. The most common cause of brown tips is the tap water being used to water him. The Calathea is sensitive to the minerals found in tap water. To rectify or avoid this switch to filtered water, rainwater or water that has been left out overnight, allowing the minerals to evaporate. If switching the water doesn’t do the trick, other possible causes are low humidity, incorrect watering, overexposure to the sun or too much fertilizer.

Overwatering your Calathea will cause yellow leaves. These plants like damp but not soggy soil and shouldn’t be left to sit in water. If you are unsure of how much water your Calathea needs, try watering your plant from the bottom. To do this, pop your plant in its growing pot, into the sink and allow it to soak up what it needs. This should help prevent overwatering.

The most likely cause of a droopy Calathea is underwatering. Pop him in his growing pot, into a sink full of water to soak up as much water as he needs and he should revive. If your plant is still very dry, water from the top as well to ensure he is fully hydrated and then pop him back in his ceramic.

Crispy leaves on your Calathea are caused by low humidity. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting him regularly and consider grouping your plants together so that they can act as humidifiers for each other. The great news is that you can trim the brown parts of the leaves off of the Calathea, keeping the same shape, without causing any harm to your plant.

Severe underwatering and completely dry soil will cause the leaves of your Calathea to curl inwards and start to brown. Your plant will need a good drink to ensure it is fully hydrated but the good news is, it should recover. You can trim off any brown leaves but make sure there is some greenery left.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about these gorgeously unique and distinctive Prayer Plants and that you feel reassured that you can look after one, even though they’re slightly needier than some other houseplants. If you’ve still got questions about this green beauty or any others, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected]. Keep the faith plant people!

 

Lots of love

Team TLB xx

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