Calatheas and Marantas: Prayer Plant Care and Varieties

Calatheas and marantas belong to the family Marantaceae, a group of tropical plants native to the Americas. They share one of the most distinctive behaviors of any houseplant: nyctinasty, the movement of leaves in response to light. During the day, the leaves spread horizontally to capture light. As light fades in the evening, the leaves fold upward and together, resembling hands in prayer. This movement is driven by changes in water pressure in specialized cells at the base of each leaf stalk, and it happens every day in a healthy plant. If a plant in this family stops moving, it is usually a sign that conditions are not right.

Taxonomy Note

Many species formerly sold as Calathea have been reclassified taxonomically to the genus Goeppertia. In practice, the trade name Calathea remains dominant in retail and is the name most readers will encounter on plant labels. This guide uses Calathea as the primary name for species formerly in that genus, with Goeppertia noted parenthetically where relevant. The exception is Goeppertia orbifolia, where Goeppertia is used as the primary name because it has become established under that name in a significant proportion of retail.

Shared Care Requirements

Calatheas and marantas share the same core requirements, and getting these right is the key to keeping them healthy.

Water quality matters more for this plant family than for most houseplants. Tap water in many areas contains fluoride and chlorine that accumulates in the leaf tips, causing the brown tip damage that is the most common problem in calathea care. Using filtered water, rainwater, or tap water left to stand overnight in an open container reduces this significantly. The calathea brown tips and crispy edges guide covers all the causes and how to address them.

Humidity is the second major requirement. These plants are native to humid tropical forest floors and perform best at 60 percent humidity or above. Most homes run at 30 to 50 percent, which is tolerable but produces the best results only when supplemented. A humidifier is the most effective approach. The options suitable for houseplant use are covered in the best humidifiers for plants guide.

Light should be medium to bright indirect. Calatheas and marantas are understory plants in the wild, accustomed to filtered light beneath a forest canopy. They tolerate lower light than most tropical houseplants but will not thrive in deep shade. Direct sun bleaches the intricate leaf patterns and causes leaf roll.

Potting mix should drain freely while holding some moisture. A peat-free mix of coir, perlite, and a small amount of potting compost works well. Avoid heavy mixes that stay wet, which cause root rot in these plants faster than in more drought-tolerant species.

Brown Tips and Crispy Edges

Brown leaf tips and crispy edges are the most frequently asked-about symptom in this plant family, and they almost always have a correctable cause. Fluoride toxicity from tap water, low humidity, inconsistent watering, and cold air from drafts are the most common triggers. The diagnostic process and corrections for each are in the brown tips and crispy edges guide.

Propagation

Calatheas and marantas propagate by rhizome division rather than stem cuttings. The plant produces a clumping root system with multiple growing points, and when the clump is large enough, it can be separated into two or more sections at repotting time. Each section needs at least one healthy growing point and a portion of the root system to establish successfully. The full process is in the how to propagate calathea by division guide.

Species and Varieties

The calathea and maranta family contains hundreds of species with a wide range of foliage patterns and sizes. The guides below cover the most popular in cultivation.

The maranta prayer plant care guide covers the true marantas, including the red-veined and green varieties most commonly found in retail.

Species guides for the four most popular calatheas: calathea medallion care, calathea white fusion care, calathea ornata care, and goeppertia orbifolia care.

For a broader overview of the range available, the types of calathea and maranta variety guide covers the full spectrum from common to collector-level.

For houseplant care fundamentals that underpin success with this plant family, including humidifier selection and pebble tray technique, the houseplant care fundamentals hub is the reference starting point.