Calathea Lancifolia

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Basic: Calathea Lancifolia is a perennial tropical plant from the Marantaceae family with a charismatic look.

Common name: The Rattlesnake Plant

Benefits: 

1) Recommended air purifier plant which absorbs toxic air pollutants through leaves.

2) Eye-catching especially in bright dining rooms and living rooms where their foliage helps energize a room.

Difficulty: Low maintenance plant.

Light: Thrives in low to bright indirect natural light or bright artificial light.

Temperature: 18°C to 24°C.

Watering: Thrives in humidity. Water only when the soil feels dry to touch. Soil must never be allowed to dry out completely. During active growing periods feed the plant every month by adding a liquid or powder fertilizer to the water before watering.

Repotting: Repot during spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The plant needs repotting if the roots are growing through the drainage hole or if you see roots at the top of the soil.

Propagation: The best way to propagate a Calathea is by division at repotting time in the spring. When you remove the plant to repot it, you can gently divide the plant where it has created its own natural separations in the roots.

Care: Do not overwater, have direct sunlight or add too much fertiliser. Any of that would cause browning of leaves. Keep away from AC vents. In case of insects or pests attacking, wash the plant with neem oil or organic soapy water in the evening. Feed it with any organic fertiliser once or twice a year as per manufacturers information. Keep the leaves clean. Prune dead or overgrown leaves to keep your plant healthy and help it keep its shape.

Additional Information: Calathea lancifolia belongs to the family Marantaceae (Arrowroots). This is a taller variety of Calathea, with mature plants growing around 18 inches tall. The long lance-like and glossy leaves are wavy and pale to yellowish-green on top, with purple undersides. They are native to Brazil.