So, you may need to mist your more frequently during winter and water it less than in summer. This houseplant species is also called the flowering calathea. Being a shade plant, it doesn’t mind growing indoors, though it requires a minimum of 3-4 hours of filtered light each day. Some types of these ‘praying plants’ have large oval leaves with dark purple and pink patterns. You should water your calathea when the top 1” (2.5 cm) of the soil has dried out. The best place for a calathea is on a west-, east-, or north-facing windowsill. One of the most unusual species of calathea is the calathea musaica (Network plant). Dark green, light green and cream-colored patterns make this houseplant a showstopper. The leaves of calatheas sometimes curl up from the outer edges inward toward the central vein because something is wrong in their environment. Unlike other plants in the arrowroot family, calathea propagation is usually by plant division. The plant derives its name from the lovely, silver-colored polka dots on leaves and the rich purple undersides of the stems. Dead cats make great mulch eventually. Remember, if it doesn’t get adequate sunlight, it may lose its vibrant purple coloring. • Zone: It can be planted outdoors in zones 10 and 11. • Height: 2-3.5 ft, depends upon the species. Getting the soil right is the perfect way to grow a calathea with healthy roots and leaves. Similar to true prayer plants (marantas), some calathea varieties have leaves with undersides that are a different color from the top side. Over-watering your calathea is the most common reason for fungal and bacterial diseases. By Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell Purple waffle plant is a slow-growing groundcover that is cultivated primarily for its showy, heavily-textured foliage, which is grey-green on the topside, and either dark red, maroon, or purple on the underside, depending on the variety. These plants have greenish leaves covered with velvety purple fuzzy hairs. Water only when the soil is partly dry, mist regularly, and apply calathea fertilizer once a month to grow healthy calathea houseplants. With a special marking of stark white veins against red, purple, green and cream leaves, the calathea lends an exciting and fashionable touch to your home. To grow a new calathea, put the plant in a suitable pot that has a moist, well-draining potting mix. Add worms to make it happen faster, but many cats have worms already in their system, so nature will work unassisted. Choose a container that is 1” to 2” (2.5 – 5 cm) wider than the current one. Nov 20, 2020 - Learn to Identify your indoor house plants so you can give them the care they need to grow well. Contrary to its name, silver squill is a tough little plant. Avoid over-watering your calathea to increase humidity. The distinguishing features of the ‘Corona’ are the wide dark-green margins on the leaf edge and burgundy-purple colored underside. Learn how to grow a rubber tree houseplant here! Oyster plant spreads from the roots forming thick clusters. The striped leaves of this groundcover shimmer with a silvery glow, depending on the angle, and the purple underside flashes as it clambers over itself. Calathea plants thrive indoors in bright, indirect sunlight when planted in moist, well-draining soil. Dark green leaves with wine-purple underside. Some species of calatheas flower indoors. Also nice is they have shiny green leaves and make good house or patio plants. • Spread: 2-3 ft. Caladiums are beautiful tropical plants with big, wafer-thin leaves having varying patterns in reds, pink, purple and cream. In sub-tropical and tropical zones Oyster plant is considered an invasive pest that escapes into wetlands and crowds out native plants so avoid using it in zones 9b to 11. 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