Why are my leaves curling?

Curling leaves are a classic sign that your plant is thirsty or the humidity is too low.

Should I mist my Calathea?

Misting provides only temporary humidity, so a humidifier or pebble tray is much more effective.

Plant guide

Calathea.

Calathea

Pronounced go-ep-ER-tee-uh

Also known as Calathea, prayer plants

prayer plants (genus) — Photo by Lena Struwe (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

Calatheas are famous for their stunning, patterned foliage that moves throughout the day. They thrive in warm, humid spots and bring a tropical feel to any room. These plants are quite particular about their environment and prefer consistency.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: medium
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely indoors

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Use distilled or filtered water to avoid brown leaf tips caused by minerals. Watch for curling leaves, which often signal the plant needs more humidity.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim off any yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the stem to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound, typically every two years.
Soil: Well-draining peat-based mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops growing despite being in the right season.

Safety

People: This plant is non toxic to humans and pets.
Pets: These plants are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The leaves can be a choking hazard if small children pull off and ingest pieces.
Edibility: While not considered toxic, these plants are not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Large, oval-shaped leaves
Intricate, colorful leaf patterns
Deep purple undersides
Leaves fold up at night

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, white, pink, evergreen
Flowers: white, yellow, purple, 2 to 5cm

Common problems

Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry air and leave fine webbing on the undersides of leaves.
Brown leaf tips — This is usually caused by low humidity or the use of tap water containing fluoride or chlorine.

Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Maintain consistent indoor temperatures and monitor humidity levels closely during the winter months.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is sized to fit the root ball snugly.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot during the growing season.
Carefully tease the root ball apart into two or more sections.
Ensure each section has a healthy amount of roots and at least one leaf.
Repot the divisions into fresh, well draining potting mix.
Water lightly and keep in a warm, humid spot until established.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps them all happy.

Grows well with

Ferns — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Peace Lily — These plants enjoy the same tropical environment and moisture levels.

Keep away from

Succulents — Succulents require bright light and dry soil, which would kill a Calathea.

Similar species

Maranta — They are closely related and share the same prayer plant habit.
Stromanthe — It is a cousin in the same family with similar care needs and striking foliage.

Science

Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Calathea
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Central and South America.
Conservation: Many species are threatened in the wild due to habitat loss from deforestation.

They grow on the shady forest floor where they rely on high humidity and dappled light to thrive.

Uses: indoor ornamental, air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves curling?: Curling leaves are a classic sign that your plant is thirsty or the humidity is too low.
Should I mist my Calathea?: Misting provides only temporary humidity, so a humidifier or pebble tray is much more effective.

Where the name comes from

The name Calathea comes from the Greek word kalathos, meaning basket, referring to the basket like shape of the flowers.

Good to know

They are often called prayer plants because their leaves move throughout the day.
They belong to the Marantaceae family.
These plants prefer indirect light to avoid leaf scorching.
They originate from the tropical rainforests of the Americas.

Is your calathea looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.