Since Calathea comes from the Brazilian rainforest, where it grows close to the ground, in shady locations, it needs a location in your home without direct sun. It is enough for it if it receives some sunlight in the morning and evening, but is otherwise rather shady. It is much more important to it that you give it a warm and humid room climate without drafts and protect it from lower temperatures. This means that the room temperature should never fall below 18 degrees and that you should spray it regularly (preferably daily) with lukewarm, lime-free water. Make sure that you don't water too much (it doesn't tolerate waterlogging), but that the root ball never dries out. The plant also appreciates it if you wipe the leaves regularly with a damp cloth. Tip: If you want to get the plant to bloom, it is best to place it from November to January in a room that is not illuminated in the evening. If you're lucky, you'll see inflorescences in January and February that stand in upright spikes and look really great.

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Calathea “Mike” is a plant with many names

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Calathea has always fascinated people. This is the only way to explain why it — in addition to its botanical name — received so many common names. In German, it is also called basket marante or rattlesnake plant; in French it is called a “living plant”, in Italian “plant of prayer” or “peacock plant”; and in English it is called “cathedral plant” or “zebra plant.” Well, at least the terms rattlesnake, zebra and peacock are probably due to the extravagant leaf patterns. “Cathedral” could be related to the shape of the leaves or even the whole plant. And the basket chestnut was probably created because the Calathea belongs to the Marantaceae family and the natives of America wove baskets from the leaves of the Calathea. The terms “living plant” and “plant of prayer” are nice. Because it was created because the leaves of Calathea curl up in the evening and unfold again in the morning. Especially in the evening, they look like hands folded in prayer.

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