Calathea (Marantaceae) are known for their very diverse, colorful, and beautifully patterned leaves. Combined with their ability to grow in lower light conditions, these make very popular house and office plants (bonus as they are pet and child friendly). Coming from the jungle floors of South America and Africa, Calatheas are flexible with their light source but are in need of high humidity. Luckily, grouping Calathea’s together increases humidity and gives you an excuse to buy more (in case your partner questions you).
One of my favorite things about Calatheas is their nightly movement. Named ‘Prayer Plant’ for a reason, their leaves move up at nighttime and down in the daytime as they follow the path of the sun. Called nyctinasty, this is done by altering the water pressure in their stalk. Many see this and panic thinking their plants are drying out as they appear to shut down but never fear, they will be back to normal in the morning.
There are so many types of Calathea and I recommend them all! Here are five of my favorites:
Prayer plants and calatheas are two of the most popular types of houseplants thanks to their eye-catching foliage and easy care requirements. But there’s also a lot of confusion surrounding prayer plants and calatheas Are they the same? Different? What defines each one?
In this article we’ll unravel the taxonomy behind prayer plants and calatheas. You’ll learn the key differences as well as why they’re so often mixed up.
What Are Prayer Plants?
True prayer plants belong to the plant genus Maranta, which is part of the Marantaceae family. There are several Maranta species, but the most common is the Maranta leuconeura, also known as the fancy-leaf or peacock prayer plant.
Some defining features of prayer plants include:
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Oval-shaped leaves with striking patterns and veining, usually green leaves with red or light green veining.
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Perform nyctinasty, closing their leaves upward at night. This earned them the “prayer plant” nickname.
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Prefer low indirect light conditions. Direct sun will scorch their leaves.
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Thrive in warm temperatures between 60-80°F. Cold drafts can damage leaves.
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Require constant humidity. Low humidity causes browning leaf edges.
Overall, true prayer plants are easy-care houseplants ideal for beginners and plant collectors alike. Their beautiful bi-colored leaves give them an exotic, tropical feel.
What Are Calatheas?
Calatheas are a plant genus in the Marantaceae family, the same family as prayer plants. Some popular Calathea species include:
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Calathea lancifolia (rattlesnake plant)
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Calathea makoyana (peacock plant)
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Calathea ornata (pinstripe plant)
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Calathea roseopicta (rose painted calathea)
Calatheas share several key features such as:
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Vibrant patterned leaves with colors like green, pink, white, and silver.
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They do not close their leaves at night.
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Require similar care to prayer plants – bright indirect light, high humidity, and warm temperatures.
So while calatheas and prayer plants have similar needs and origins, calatheas are not prayer plants at all. They have different habits, leaf shapes, and patterns that set them apart.
Why the Confusion Exists
If calatheas don’t exhibit the “praying” actions of Maranta prayer plants, why are they called prayer plants so often? There are a few reasons for this:
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They belong to the same Marantaceae family, resulting in very similar care.
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They both have stunningly patterned leaves that grab attention.
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Casual houseplant owners assume “prayer plant” means both.
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Sometimes calatheas are intentionally mislabeled as prayer plants by sellers.
Their close relation and shared family name means calatheas have picked up an incorrect nickname along the way. But while prayer plants and calatheas are “cousins”, they are distinct plant genera.
Tips for Telling the Difference
Once you know what defines prayer plants and calatheas, telling them apart is straightforward:
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Prayer plants close their leaves upward at night while calathea leaves remain open.
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Prayer plants are only from the Maranta genus, while calatheas are Calathea.
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Prayer plants have colored veins on green leaves. Calatheas have more abstract leaf patterns.
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Prayer plant leaves are oval in shape while calatheas have more variety.
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Some calatheas have purple leaf undersides. Prayer plants do not.
While they have similar needs as houseplants, calatheas lack the distinct praying habit that gives prayer plants their name. Remembering this key difference helps avoid mixing them up.
Caring for Prayer Plants and Calatheas
Despite being separate plant genera, prayer plants and calatheas thrive under nearly identical care:
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Bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun scorches their foliage.
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Consistently warm temperatures from 60-80°F.
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Very high humidity around 50% or more.
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Well-draining but consistently moist potting mix.
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Fertilization every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer.
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Pruning dead leaves and stalks to encourage new growth.
Providing the right balance of light, humidity, and moisture keeps both prayer plants and calatheas looking lush. Although different plants, their shared needs make them perfect companion plants in any home.
The Takeaway
While their similar leaf patterns and care confuse many plant owners, prayer plants and calatheas are distinct houseplant varieties. True prayer plants are Marantas, while calatheas have their own genus. Knowing the taxonomy and habits of each helps avoid incorrectly mixing them up! Both make fantastic houseplants that are sure to bring a touch of the tropics indoors.
How to Care for your Calathea
LIGHT: A Calathea can grow many places in your home with very few exceptions. They do not do well in direct sun as it can bleach the leaves and turn them to crisps. Place your calathea in a part of a room that has low to indirect bright light. If it has to be a window, North facing should do just fine. Calatheas with darker leaves, such as the Pinstripe, do well in even lower light.
HUMIDITY: Now this is the part I struggle with the most, keeping moisture in the air. So much of this depends on where you live, the type of heating and cooling you have, and how your old your home is.
Either way Calatheas want humidity of 50% or higher with some varieties preferring more than 65%. If you are like me and you need to supplement your humidity, you can purchase a humidifier (this is mine), place your calatheas in your bathroom (hot shower excuse!) for the best results or other humid rooms like the laundry room or kitchen, and lastly keep them on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
WATER: Because Calathea’s can be a little finnicky, I like to give them dechlorinated water or if you are blessed with a house, fresh water from your rain barrel. For easy dechlorinated water, I leave my water jugs out overnight which gives time for the chlorine to evaporate. When watering, make sure to keep these babies moist but pour away any excess water that ends up in your tray. Make sure to have a pot with drainage holes because if it sits in water it will get root rot. Keep an eye on the dryness of the soil and water when you feel it start to dry out.
TEMPERATURE: Not surprinsgly, these jungle plants are not cold hardy, let alone cool hardy. They want temperatures over 60°F (15°C) in your house. If you have drafty windows, heating vents, radiators, fans etc. you need to make sure your Calatheas stay clear. Drafts can not only suck humidity out of the air but also provide uneven temperatures resulting in an unhappy Calathea. They are pickly little friends.
SOIL: Calatheas prefer a well-draining potting mix. If you are buying a bag at the store lool for ones that contain compost, perilite, charcoal, orchard bark, pine bark, coco coir, and worm castings. There are some stores that even sell specific Calathea and Maranta soil.
**FERTILIZER: ** It is best to fertilize your Calatheas in the growing months with an even balanced fertilizer solution. This will help them remain dense and expand their root system. I like to use a water soluble fertilizer like this so I can control how much I am giving my plant.
CURLING LEAVES: Curling leaves are a very common issue with Calatheas. If your plant is sitting in too much light it will start to burn and curl inward. Move it farther away from the light. The other, most likely, reason is that it is drying out and in an attempt to conserve water, it is curling up. Water it immediately and you will see it unfurl soon.
BROWNING: Brown leaves and tips are also a common issue. This can come from a lack of humidity and, I have to say, is my biggest issue with this plant. Increase your humidity using the methods listed in the humidity section above. The other reasoning could be that your water has too many chemicals and minerals in it. Try using distilled water and see if that helps.
TERRACOTTA, PLASTIC OR CERAMIC: You may think that terracotta would not be ideal as it dries out soil faster, it can be advantageous for you. Because the pot is breathable it allows the soil to stay moist but not wet; however, if you tend to under-water or live in a dry place, keep with ceramic or plastic.
GNATS: These damn things amirite? While you can use those fun fly traps for your plants, you need to address the reason they are there. With the moistness that Calatheas require, it can make an ideal home for fruit flies. Allow the top of your soil to dry out and instead water from the bottom for awhile.
Ranging from velvet textures to geometric patterns and magenta undersides, there are so many amazing forms of Calatheas and I hope this inspires you to fill your home with a couple. Tag me on Instagram with your babies @thegreenmadhouse and let me know if you have any questions below.
Prayer Plant Care | How to successfully care for Calathea, Maranta, Ctenanthe, and Stromanthe
FAQ
Is a Calathea plant the same as a prayer plant?
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Feature
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Calathea (Genus)
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Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant)
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Genus/Species
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Calathea (Genus)
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Maranta leuconeura (Species)
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Leaf Shape
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Variable, can be rounded, oval, or lance-shaped
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Primarily oval
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Growth Habit
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Upright and shrubby
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Trailing
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Care Difficulty
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More challenging, requires high humidity and specific watering
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Easier to care for, more forgiving
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Examples
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Calathea zebrina, Calathea ornata, Calathea roseopicta
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Maranta leuconeura
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What is another name for prayer plant?
Maranta leuconeura, commonly called prayer plant, is an evergreen, rhizomatous, low-growing, clump-forming, tropical perennial that is noted for its beautiful foliage.
What is another name for the Calathea plant?
Calathea plants are also known by more common names such as cathedral plants, peacock plants, zebra plants, rattlesnake plants and prayer plants.
How do you know if a prayer plant is a Calathea?
To identify if your plant is a Calathea or a Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura), look at its leaves. Calatheas have leaves with various shapes – round, oblong, and lance-shaped, while Marantas generally have oval leaves. Calathea leaves may have different patterns and colors compared to Maranta leaves, which have strong symmetrical patterns and brightly colored veins and ribs.
What is a Prayer Plant?
Prayer plants are a group of plants belonging to the genera Calathea, Maranta, Stromanthe, and Ctenanthe. Calathea plants, such as Freddie, are grown for their ornamental leaves. Freddie, also known as the ‘Zebra Plant’, has bicolored striped foliage that alternates between a silvery or soft green and deep green bands.
Is Calathea a good houseplant?
With a little care, calathea can make a fantastic houseplant wherever you live. While the plant is young, its leaves are especially vibrant. They are luscious green and covered in intense patterns. These patterns tend to be white, but fade with age, as the leaves take on a more uniform green. But there is variation.