Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0
About
Calathea is a popular genus of tropical houseplants, prized for its large, colorful, and often variegated foliage. The leaves exhibit nyctinasty, a striking behavior where they fold up at night and unfurl in the morning.
Field notes
Morphology
The leaves are often large and colorfully patterned, frequently variegated with bright colors such as pink, orange, red, and white, while the underside is often purple. The plant exhibits nyctinasty, folding the leaves at night and unfurling them in the morning.
Distribution & habitat
Native to parts of tropical Latin America, and also grown in Hawaii.
Ecology
The young leaves and bracts can retain pools of water called phytotelmata, which provide habitat for many invertebrates. The foliage is also important to some herbivores, such as the caterpillars of the purple owl (*Caligo beltrao*) which feed on *C. zebrina*.
Cultivation notes
Calatheas prefer low to medium light, avoiding direct sunlight. They require high humidity and an acidic, porous, and well-draining soil. Ideal temperatures range from 75 °F to 85 °F, and they should be kept moist but not wet.
Conservation
Due to habitat destruction, several species are threatened with extinction.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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