Prayer plant
Calathea
Calathea
Give this genus more humidity than most houseplants from the outset — a naturally dry room will show stress within weeks.
Care
Direct sun bleaches and scorches the patterned leaves.
Likes consistently moist (not waterlogged) compost and high humidity; one of the fussier common houseplants.
Peat-free, moisture-retentive but well-drained houseplant compost.
Remove yellowing or damaged leaves at the base.
A dilute balanced feed monthly in the growing season, and none in winter. Calatheas are fussier about water quality and humidity than about nutrients — rainwater or filtered water does more for the leaves than any fertiliser.
Divide at repotting in spring, teasing the clump into sections that each keep several leaves and a good share of root. Keep the divisions warm, humid and shaded until they settle, or they sulk.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years into fresh compost. how ›
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneMist regularly or stand on a pebble tray to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot every 1-2 years into fresh compost. how ›
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season. how ›
- JuneMist regularly or stand on a pebble tray to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. From low humidity or dry air.
What to do. Increase humidity, avoid radiators.
How to spot it. Often normal daily response to light, but persistent curling suggests underwatering or low humidity.
What to do. Check watering and humidity.
How to spot it. In dry air.
What to do. Increase humidity.
GoeppertiaGoeppertia, Prayer plant
Goeppertia Goeppertia
Many plants sold as Calathea are botanically Goeppertia after the genus was split — the care is the same, so treat the two names as one plant and follow the water-quality and humidity rules from day one.
Care
Bright indirect light to part shade — direct sun bleaches the leaf markings permanently.
Medium — keep evenly moist with rainwater or filtered water; it reacts badly to the fluoride and chlorine in hard tap water.
Peat-free, humus-rich houseplant compost with perlite or bark for air. It must stay moist without ever being waterlogged.
Cut browned or crisped leaves off at the base of the stalk. Nothing else — every leaf is part of the display, so removing damaged ones is as much cosmetic as horticultural.
A dilute balanced feed monthly through the growing season, at half strength, and nothing in winter. Brown crispy leaf edges are more often water quality or dry air than a lack of feed, and adding fertiliser makes salt build-up worse.
Divide the clump at repotting in spring, separating sections that each keep several leaves and a good share of root. Keep the divisions warm, humid and shaded for a few weeks — a division in dry air sulks and drops leaves.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilRepot and divide if crowded, into an open humus-rich compost. how ›
- JuneSwitch to rainwater if leaf edges are browning — this is usually water quality, not neglect. how ›
- NovemberMove it away from radiators for the winter and group it with other plants to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilRepot and divide if crowded, into an open humus-rich compost. how ›
- JuneSwitch to rainwater if leaf edges are browning — this is usually water quality, not neglect. how ›
- NovemberMove it away from radiators for the winter and group it with other plants to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot and divide if crowded, into an open humus-rich compost. how ›
- JuneSwitch to rainwater if leaf edges are browning — this is usually water quality, not neglect. how ›
- NovemberMove it away from radiators for the winter and group it with other plants to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot and divide if crowded, into an open humus-rich compost. how ›
- JuneSwitch to rainwater if leaf edges are browning — this is usually water quality, not neglect. how ›
- DecemberMove it away from radiators for the winter and group it with other plants to raise humidity.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. A thin brown margin round otherwise healthy leaves.
What to do. Hard tap water or dry air — use rainwater, raise humidity, and flush the compost occasionally.
How to spot it. The pattern washing out to pale green.
What to do. Too much direct light — move it out of the sun.
How to spot it. Fine speckling and webbing in dry, heated rooms.
What to do. Raise humidity and wipe the leaves; dry air is the underlying cause.
Questions
Prayer plant: is it hardy?
H1a: True houseplant, needs above 15°C. It survives heated glasshouse.
Can it grow in a pot?
Calathea: Grown exclusively as a houseplant given its need for warmth and humidity. Goeppertia: Yes — a houseplant by definition, and it does best in a humid room such as a bathroom or kitchen.
Prayer plant: when do you prune it?
Calathea: Remove yellowing or damaged leaves at the base. Goeppertia: Cut browned or crisped leaves off at the base of the stalk.
When do you feed it?
Calathea: A dilute balanced feed monthly in the growing season, and none in winter. Calatheas are fussier about water quality and humidity than about nutrients — rainwater or filtered water does more for the leaves than any fertiliser. Feeding months, UK: April–September. Goeppertia: A dilute balanced feed monthly through the growing season, at half strength, and nothing in winter. Brown crispy leaf edges are more often water quality or dry air than a lack of feed, and adding fertiliser makes salt build-up worse. Feeding months, UK: April–September.