How to Care for Calathea Plants
Calatheas are some of the prettiest indoor plants around, but they can also be a little dramatic. With their patterned leaves, bold colours and prayer-plant habit of moving throughout the day, they make a beautiful feature plant for bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and other bright indoor spaces. If you want to grow one at home, browse our Calathea potted houseplant for a leafy option with plenty of personality. The catch with Calatheas? They like consistency. If your Calathea has crispy edges, curling leaves or sad floppy stems, it is usually trying to tell you something about light, humidity or water quality.
Calatheas prefer bright, filtered light rather than harsh direct sun. A spot near a window with sheer curtains, or a bright room away from the window, is usually ideal. Too much direct sun can fade the leaves or cause dry, burnt patches. Too little light can slow growth and make the plant look a bit dull. If you are building a leafy indoor setup, browse our indoor plants for more houseplants that suit Australian homes.
Humidity is a big one for Calatheas. They come from tropical environments, so they love moisture in the air. In dry homes, especially during winter or with heating and air conditioning, the leaf edges can turn brown and crispy. A humidifier is the easiest fix, but grouping plants together, keeping them in a bathroom with good light, or placing them near other leafy houseplants can also help. Misting gives a quick cosmetic boost, but it will not usually fix long-term humidity issues on its own.
Water quality can also make a difference. Calatheas can be sensitive to chemicals and minerals in tap water. If the leaves keep getting crispy even when the soil is not bone dry, try using filtered water, rainwater or water that has been left out overnight. Keep the soil lightly moist, but never soggy. Think damp sponge, not swamp.
Water when the top few centimetres of soil start to feel dry. If you are unsure, a moisture meter can help take the guesswork out of watering. Calatheas do not like drying out completely, but they also hate sitting in water. Always use a pot with drainage and empty any excess water from decorative cover pots. If watering issues are causing leaf changes, our guide on why indoor plant leaves turn yellow can help you troubleshoot common causes.
If your Calathea leaves are curling, check the soil first. Curling often means the plant is thirsty, too cold or reacting to dry air. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly and let the excess drain. If the soil is wet and the leaves are still curling, check for cold draughts, root issues or overwatering. Calatheas can be fussier than hardy trailing plants, so if you are new to houseplants, you may also like our guide on how to care for Devil’s Ivy.
For crispy tips, trim the brown edges with clean scissors if they bother you, but focus on fixing the cause. Increase humidity, avoid direct sun, and consider switching water sources. You can also read our guide on how to fix brown tips on indoor plant leaves for more detailed troubleshooting.
Calatheas do not need heavy feeding. Use a gentle indoor plant fertiliser during the warmer growing months and avoid fertilising when the plant is stressed, freshly repotted or barely growing. Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth so they can absorb light properly and keep looking lush. If you are comparing care needs between different popular houseplants, our guide on how to care for Ficus elastica is also useful.
If you want a houseplant with personality, a Calathea is a gorgeous choice. Just give it filtered light, stable warmth, decent humidity and careful watering. Once you learn its little moods, it is much less scary than its reputation suggests. It is not the most set-and-forget indoor plant, but for plant lovers who enjoy patterned foliage and a bit of leafy drama, it is absolutely worth it.