Let's be real here. The Calathea is a difficult one in terms of care. It needs constant humidity and warmth. Here are the most common issues you'll experience with plants in the maranta and prayer plant families.

What causes Calatheas’ leaves to curl?

Calatheas are humidity-loving, tropical plants. In fact, while this plant is generally easy to care for, it often requires multiple waterings a week (or more in the summer!) to give it the proper moisture that it craves. In most cases, Calatheas’ leaves curl when their soil is excessively dry, though there could be a few other minor reasons that are causing your plant’s leaves to curl.

How to fix curling leaves on a Calathea

Easy! Give it a good drink of water—but from the bottom up. Soak your plant in water by placing it in a deep dish, bowl, sink or bathtub with a few inches of water. You may leave it soaking anywhere from a few hours to 24 hours. After a day or so, you will see how the leaves magically unfurl!

This method of deep watering is called “bottom watering” and Calatheas aren’t the only plants who love it! Learn more about the benefits of bottom watering here.

Water Quality

If you’ve thoroughly soaked your Calathea but it’s still showing signs of curling leaves, consider using filtered water. Tap water often contains salts, chlorine, minerals, and fluoride, which can accumulate in the soil and lead to leaf tip burning, browning, and curling. To address this, try using filtered water or letting your tap water sit in an open container or sink overnight to reduce chlorine content.

Temperature & Humidity

Since the Calathea is a tropical plant, it thrives in high humidity. If your environment lacks humidity, you can increase it by misting the leaves regularly, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier nearby.

Temperature is also essential for your Calathea's well-being. Ensure that it is not placed in a drafty area or exposed to heating and cooling vents. Cold temperatures or excessive dryness from constant warm airflow can also cause the leaves to curl.

Other problems with Calatheas

Calatheas can show a few different signs of distress:

Brown Edges

Brown edges appear when the air is too dry for your plant. Add misting to your watering routine or keep it on a bed of rocks and shallow water to add humidity. You can also trim the leaves, either removing the entire leaf at the stem’s base, or trimming the leaf itself, following the natural shape to get the plant and/or its leaves looking sharp again!

Droopy Leaves

Tour plant is getting too much water. Allow the soil to air out or change the soil completely to decrease chances of root rot. 

Ready for more? Read our full guide on Calathea care, including tips for propagation, repotting, and more.

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Calathea Medallion

A stunning prayer plant with a deep color palette of leaves painted by nature.

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Calatheas are among the most gorgeous plant families: with deep coloration and beautifully patterned foliage, they boast breathtaking leaf variegation. They also bring a party trick that you don’t see from every plant on the market: movement. Their foliage reaches and folds in accordance with the location of the sun throughout the day. With all of these charming attributes, it stands to reason that you want to buy one of your own! But there are a few things to know about Calatheas before you take the plunge. So read on, because it’s all here!

What Are The Most Popular Calathea Varieties?

The Calathea Medallion (Calathea Roseopicta), Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea Lancifolia), and Peacock Plant (Calathea Makoyana) are among the most popular Calatheas for indoor spaces. And they have a few things in common: gorgeous emerald and cabernet variegation, leaves that sway with the sun, and the designation of Prayer Plant. 

A Calathea Rattlesnake practicing nyctinasty during the day (right) and at night (left)

Why Are Calatheas Called “Prayer Plants”?

Calatheas are also known as Prayer Plants because of a unique evolutionary behavior common to this plant family, called nyctinasty. A strange word, we know! But there’s a simple explanation. Nyctinasty is the behavior through Calatheas lift and drop their leaves in relation to the cycle of day and night. (It all comes down to sunlight, of course!) During the darker hours, the leaves of a Calathea point upwards, as if in prayer. And during the day, their leaves drop down, allowing the foliage’s surface area to soak in as much light as possible. Voila: Prayer Plants!

Do Calatheas Need A Lot Of Water?

Calatheas are easy-going when it comes to water: they simply like to be kept consistently moist. It’s important that your Calathea’s soil be neither soaking wet nor dry as a bone. Plan on gauging the soil’s moisture every few days to ensure that it maintains a consistent degree of moisture. 

Do Calatheas Need A Lot Of Light? 

You may be relieved to hear that Calatheas do not require a ton of light. Also known as “Shadow Plants”, Calatheas are native to the dense jungles of South America, where they grow on the forest floor and receive only dappled sun. And because Calatheas have very sensitive leaves, it is actually very important to keep them away from strong rays of direct sunlight. The best spot for a Calathea will be one where they receive medium to bright indirect light.

Calatheas Love Humidity

Calatheas thrive in a humid environment. They’re native to rainforests, after all. Humidity can be boosted by placing a humidifier close to your plant, placing your Calathea’s pot on a pebble humidity tray, or grouping several Calatheas closely together, which supports a mini-biome of moisture.

Boost Your Calathea’s Water With A Simple Trick

Most indoor plants do just fine with water from the tap, but when it comes to Calatheas, you may find that tap water is a bit too harsh for your plant. Calatheas are sensitive to minerals and chemicals in water, so “hard” water (water with a high mineral content) can be rough on your plant. The good news? You can neutralize hard water by simply leaving it out overnight. That’s right: just fill up your watering can, leave it to sit overnight, and the chlorine in the water will evaporate. If you have a water filter, you can also exclusively use filtered water for your Calathea.

…But Mist Your Calathea With Care

Most plants adore a good misting, and Calatheas like a fine mist, too- but not on the tops of their leaves. Think of Calatheas as the butterflies of the plant world. The things that make them so gorgeous (their leaves, of course) are exceptionally delicate. In other words, look, don’t touch! If  you want to mist your Calathea, mist it from the bottom up, spraying the undersides rather than the tops of the plant’s leaves. And don’t mist everyday- spotting can occur when Calatheas are over-misted. In general, a humidifier or pebble humidity try is a safer bet for these delicate divas.

Calatheas Have A Colorful Reputation

Calatheas are, inarguably, the belles of the ball. But they are also particular: they are choosy and vulnerable to environmental changes. If you’re looking to buy a Calathea for a loved one as a gift, it is worth considering their familiarity with plant care. Calatheas are exceptionally beautiful plants, but they are not entirely low-maintenance, and it is unusual for them to maintain a uniformly pristine appearance at all times. They’re wild, full of personality, and they go their own way. These reasons are exactly why they’re passionately adored by plant aficionados- but they are also things to consider before buying one for yourself or as a gift. If you’re looking for a “Set It And Forget It” plant, you might prefer another variety, like a Pothos or Parlor Palm. 

How to select a thriving, gorgeous Calathea

Once you’ve fallen in love with the Calathea family, there’s no turning back! But there are a few things to look for as you get ready to buy. When you shop for your new Prayer Plant, inspect its foliage carefully. Healthy Calathea foliage will be richly colored and will not have brown or yellowing edges. Its leaves should be vibrant and firm, and its stems should have good posture and a healthy texture. Its soil should not be entirely dry, nor soaking wet. And its grow pot should have a draining hole. This is imperative to avoid root rot. 

Avoid purchasing your Calathea from a garden center

This golden rule has never been more important than when you’re shopping for a new Calathea. At this point, you’re well aware that Prayer Plants are incredibly beautiful, and also that they’re more sensitive than many other indoor plant varieties. Now it’s time for you to be choosy: only buy a Calathea from a trusted, premium grower rather than a garden center or home improvement store.

There are so many reasons that this is important, but we’ll touch on just a few. Remember how Calatheas need to be misted on only the underside of their leaves? The odds are that if you buy your new Prayer Plant from a garden center, it’s been blasted unceremoniously by a hose, and more than once. 

Garden centers often offer attractively low prices, but there are reasons that they are able to do so. Namely, they do not purchase premium plants (which, naturally, cost a premium price). Additionally, they often care for their plants with a one-size-fits-all approach. And as you’re now well-aware, Calatheas do not like to be treated like everyone else.

You simply can’t know how a garden center has watered your Calathea, what products it has been treated with, or how it has been cared for. And once you’ve bought it, you still have to overcome the logistics of bringing it home. 

Transportation is tricky for all living plants, but with Calatheas, extra care is imperative. Driving a new Calathea home in your vehicle is more of a recipe for disaster than success, and can result in structural damage, leaf fall, and stress that may manifest overtime. Like many other tropical plants, Calatheas are also vulnerable to stress caused by forced air (either cold or warm) from a car’s A.C. or vents. 

As you start your journey of Calathea love, begin on the right foot by buying your Prayer Plant from a premium supplier that offers doorstep delivery, or ships Calatheas in packaging that is specifically engineered for their protection.  When you make the choice to buy your plant from a trusted supplier, you can rest easy knowing that they are experts in their field. Careful transport and plant care that is tailored to your plant’s species is the key to a healthy plant.

Even the healthiest Calathea can experience stress from time to time

Chances are, you’ll have some questions about your Calathea from time to time. After all, they’re magical, mysterious and yes, divas. We’ve got you covered: every plant purchased from Léon & George includes lifetime access to our Plant Doctor service: a team of horticulturalists with decades of experience growing and caring for plants. The Plant Doctor team is here to assess your plant’s health and growth, provide tips and treatment plans, and to offer supportive guidance as you care for your plant. There are no fees required- the Plant Doctor service is just one of many ways we ensure that every plant we sell is designed to thrive.

We’ve compiled a list of common problems that Calatheas can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and impassioned plant parents are the key to our success! Click here to learn more about how to care for and grow your Calathea. 

Shop The Wildly Colorful Calathea Rattlesnake From

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A gorgeous Prayer Plant with variegated, curly leaves in shades of merlot and deep green, the Calathea Rattlesnake is a stunningly vibrant indoor variety that’s perfect for tabletop placement. Ideal for spaces that receive medium to bright indirect light.

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What causes brown edges on Calathea leaves?

Calatheas have expressive leaves. They engage in a type of circadian rhythmic movement known as nyctinasty: this means that their sensitive leaves move in reaction to the light they receive. In the evening, they turn their leaves up, and during daylight hours, those same leaves are lowered.

As you might imagine, plants with sensory skills like these can also be delicate, with a preference for specific conditions. When it comes to Calatheas, this can mean that if the water, light, soil or food that your plant receives isn’t just right, the plant may respond with something all plant owners dread: browning leaf edges. 

But not to worry! In keeping with our commitment to providing the best resources available for indoor plant owners online, we’ve got solutions! Read on, and let us take the mystery out of Calathea care.

Incorrect Lighting

A Sunburn? Not For Me, Thank You. Never forget that Calatheas need indirect light. They’re no desert darlings, and they must not be placed directly in front of windows or below skylights. Plan on making a home for your Calathea in an area that receives steady, indirect light and plenty of moisture. (Yes, this plant is a perfect bathroom buddy!) 

Water Quality

Calatheas would prefer to receive the quality of water that they get in their native environments (moist rainforests in South America and Southeast Asia). On the off chance that you happen to live in a jungle, this shouldn’t be a problem. But for the rest of us, we have to rely on some more urbane life hacks. 

The hard minerals in your water like chlorine, salt and fluoride can be harsh for indoor plants like Calatheas. If you have a water filtration system, it’s a great idea to use it to filter your water before watering your plant. Another hack is to simply leave your water out to “breathe” in a bowl or the kitchen sink overnight before watering your Calathea with it. This gives the water time for the fluoride to dissipate (evaporate,) which occurs when it meets oxygen. 

Lack of Humidity

Plan on misting your Calathea at least once weekly and consider keeping your plant in a part of your home that receives regular moisture like the bathroom or kitchen. You can also place your Calathea near a humidifier and reap the double-benefits of the humidifier softening your air while your Calathea purifies it! Need a mister? Look no further: this one is beautiful, sustainable and has components for both misting and watering!

Dry Is Good for Humor and Martinis; Not So Good for Calathea Soil

Once again we come back to your lovely Calathea’s homeland: a moist and fertile rainforest, burgeoning with life! Recreate that magic by ensuring that your Calathea’s soil is consistently moist. It’s not as hard as it sounds! Regularly delve one to two inches into your Calathea’s soil with your pointer finger. If the topsoil feels dry, water your plant. If it’s still moist, you can wait. For most indoor environments, this means watering about 1-2 times a week.

Too-cold temperatures

Let’s be clear- your Calathea is a tropical plant, and like a Floridian retiree, she prizes a pleasant climate. Keep her away from drafts, heaters or cooling vents. (The rush and push of air circulating through appliances will only irritate your plant.) 

Expect to see the dreaded curling if your Calathea grows cold or excessively dry. Keep your room temperature between 65-80 degrees consistently, and your Calathea’s leaves will practice their graceful nyctinasty in peace! 

Keeping Your Calathea Happy

Indoor plant care can be tricky. Over or under-watering? Too much sun, or not enough of it? When your Calathea exhibits signs of browning, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause.

Remember these simple words of wisdom: 

• Don’t drown your plant. Overwatering is by far the most common cause of ill health in indoor plants, Calatheas included.

• No sunburns allowed. No plant wants its leaves to burn, and the tropical Calathea prefers indirect light only.

• Humidity, humidity.  Make sure that this Queen of the Rainforest is receiving… well, her rain. Misting is a gift to your Calathea, and you may find it surprisingly meditative for you, too! 

In the meantime and while you make adjustments for its comfort, don't be afraid to give it a makeover. Trimming is completely safe and allows your plant to redirect more energy to new growth. Here are a few simple tips as you prepare those scissors:

• Check that the blades are clean or disinfect them with rubbing alcohol.

• Trim off whole leaves as close to the root as possible.

• For leaves with just a bit of brown edges, reshape them by following the leaf's natural lines.

Now get out there and give your plant some love!

Ready for more? Read our full guide on Calathea care, including tips for propagation, repotting, and more.

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