Calathea Insignis | Rattlesnake Plant | Houseplant | 13cm Pot

Calathea is a genus of tropical plant from South America, that consists of many of the most breathtakingly beautiful plants on the planet. The leaves are often leathery to touch and are decorated with vivid colours.

Calathea’s have become popular with plant enthusiasts because the leaves of a Calathea expand outwards from the centre during the day and then close like hands in prayer at night, earning it the nickname “Prayer Plant”. This process is called nyctinasty.

Other common names used are: zebra plant, peacock plant, and rattlesnake plant. These nicknames are given to Calathea’s because of their eye-catching stripes and leaf veins in radical colours.

Calathea plants prefer diffused and indirect light.  They are specialists at growing on the forest floors shaded by trees. Over time they have evolved to grow in dappled sunlight, rather than continual strong rays.

Calathea plants require a lot of moisture! So, make sure you choose a compost blend that can hold a lot of it. It is preferable to use a peaty potting mix that is light and airy. Also ensure that you plant your Calathea in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom; while it prefers moist soil, it is nevertheless prone to root rot if waterlogged.

Additionally, when it comes to keeping your Calathea happy, warm temperatures are your best friend. Choose a location in your home that is constantly warm. Calathea will flourish at temperatures between 21 and 31 degrees Celsius, but if this is not doable a Calathea can withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees centigrade.