Origin
South America
Light
Dappled shade
Watering
Twice a week
Care
Expert
Flowering
Foliage
Indoor
Calathea Crotale
Long wavy leaves marked with alternating dark blotches like snakeskin, purple on the underside.
Care Profile
A guide to ensuring your botanical companion thrives.
Origin
Brazil
Light
Bright indirect
Watering
Weekly
Maintenance
Moderate
The plant that folds up at night
Native to Brazilian forests, it carries narrow, wavy-edged leaves dotted with dark green markings in two alternating sizes.
Each evening a swelling at the base of the leaf stalk shifts pressure and lifts the leaves upright; by morning they lower again and reopen their coloured face.
"It folds its leaves the way you close a book."
01
Styling Tip 01
Soft water only
Lime and chlorine brown the tips: use rainwater, filtered water, or tap water left standing for a day.
02
Styling Tip 02
Humidity, no draughts
A tray of damp clay pebbles under the pot, well away from air conditioning or an entrance door.
03
Styling Tip 03
Evenly moist, never dry
It won't forgive a complete dry-out: keep steady moisture without leaving water in the saucer.
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Origin
Southeast Asia
Light
Low to bright
Watering
Weekly
Care
Easy
Flowering
Foliage