Description

Calatheas are known for their amazing foliage and this Calathea Zebrina is surely no exception! Those striking dark green stripes like a Zebra’s make it stand out from all your green-leafed plants, thus its name. It has a velvet texture while its underside is colored purple. Calatheas are also known as Prayer Plants as their leaves tend to fold up like hands in a ‘prayer position’ at night. Truly worthy to add to your collection!

• Plant height:
  • Small – 6 to 8 inches, minimum of  4 leaves
  • Medium – 6 to 8 inches, minimum of 8 leaves
  • Large – 6 to 8 inches, minimum of 12 leaves
• Pot diameter: 6 to 8 inches for all sizes

History

The Aphelandra squarrosa or more commonly known, Calathea Zebrinas are native to Southeastern Brazil. There, they grow in tropical rainforests under shady areas. Its design, pattern, and shape help in spreading water to boost evaporation rates, allowing the leaf to dry quickly. With their place of origin in mind, they thrive and grow best in sunny yet shady areas with high levels of humidity! Fun fact, they’re also non-toxic to animals and are considered air purifiers, making them one of the more popular choices for horticulturalists around the world.

Care guide

Prayer plants thrive best in bright indirect sunlight where they can experience optimum growth. Direct sunlight may cause it to lose its colors. Moreover, it can also result in burnt leaves or your Calathea might fold its leaves trying to protect itself from harsh direct sunlight.

This indoor plant in Manila likes its soil moist, but do not allow standing water. The recommended watering schedule for the Calathea Zebrina is once to twice a week or when the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil has dried out. While it’s fine to use regular water, tepid rain or distilled water has good benefits for this plant as well. Drooping Calathea Zebrina may mean that it’s thirsty. Meanwhile, browning and yellowing in their leaves may be due to inconsistent watering. But always remember that an underwatered plant is easier to revive than an overwatered one.

Propagation

This Calathea for sale in Manila can be propagated through the division method when repotting. Take out the plant from its soil and you’ll see that the roots are all tangled up together. Simply separate the stems carefully with your hands and plant them in separate pots. Make sure that the sections’ roots are still intact, and that they’re cared for as you would with a normal Calathea. Rooting should take place in about a month or so!

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