Houseplants are a great way to incorporate greenery and life into a home. In Arizona, one houseplant in particular is receiving a lot of attention. According to a recent data analysis by All About Gardening, Calathea is Arizona’s most Googled houseplant. Its deep green leaves and exotic patterns make it a stunning addition to the desert. Here’s everything you need to know about this trendy houseplant.
About Calathea Plants
The Calathea plant is part of the marantaceae family, also commonly known as the “prayer family” since their leaves move up or down depending on the time of day. In an attempt to capture the most sunlight, calathea plants keep their leaves low and open during the day. At night, they close them up, revealing the beautiful maroon coloring under the leaves.
Calatheas are native to tropical areas such as Brazil and parts of Africa. There are about 300 species of the calathea plant that each have a unique shape and pattern. The Rattlesnake, Open-Leaf, and Zebra calathea are some of the most popular species due to their extreme markings. While all calathea plants are relatively easy to grow and care for, the Rattlesnake plant is considered to be the easiest.
Benefits
In addition to the beauty of these plants, calatheas have health benefits that make them a desirable option. Calathea plants are non-toxic making them an ideal houseplant for homes with children and pets. Their large leaves are great humidifiers, so many people keep calathea plants in their bedroom to take advantage of their calming and purifying properties. Placing calathea plants throughout the house will create a healthier indoor environment as they remove toxins and increase oxygen.
How to Care for Your Calathea Plant
Calatheas prefer medium to bright indirect sunlight and need to be watered every one to two weeks. You want to pot calathea plants in soil that will allow water to drain and maintain moisture. Compost, pine bark and perlite soils work well, however most general potting soils will do the job. Since they are tropical plants, calatheas like humidity and warmer temperatures between 65°– 85° F. Simply place your calathea plant next to a humidifier or mister to keep it happy in Arizona’s dry environment.
Visit your local plant nursery to find a calathea plant that fits the personality of you and your home. You can also order calatheas online through sites such as bloomscape.com.
Here is also the most popular type of houseplant by state, according to the All About Gardening study, where the Monstera deliciosa houseplant, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is the most popular houseplant in the U.S.
