Learn All About The Calathea Lancifolia Plant And Grow It For Your Home Too!

The plant of calathea lancifolia is the perfect indoor plant that can decorate both residential and commercial spaces alike along with giving benefits like natural air purification too. These plants add a unique brightness to the spaces and can be maintained with minimal care. We are going to tell you all about rattlesnake plant care and other details that you need to know.

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About the calathea lancifolia plant

The perfect addition of density along with charm to any of the space in your house can come by with the addition of a blooming rattlesnake plant which also goes by the scientific name of calathea lancifolia. It can give the perfect tropical attraction to your house because the plant itself is a native of the tropical region of Brazil where it can be found blooming in the moist and warm Brazilian Rainforest during spring and summer. It belongs to the family of flowering plants called Marantaceae and comes under the category of evergreen perennials.

This plant is mainly grown indoors due to the requirements and growth capabilities it has. This is an extremely popular houseplant that is also preferred to be kept in the commercial spaces because of the unique charm it adds other than the many benefits it gives to the environment indoors. This plant also gives air-purifying benefits that are very important for the health of the people spending a lot of their time indoors.

Relative species of the calathea lancifolia plant

Some of the major calathea species that are also popular for indoor planting include:

Calathea rufibarba
Calathea roseopicta
Calathea orbifolia
Calathea ornata
Calathea makoyana

There are many names by which you may know these plants like prayer plant, zebra plant, peacock plant, cathedral plant, etc.

Physical characteristics of the calathea lancifolia plant

The overall appearance of this plant is big but you will be surprised to see how easily it blends with the surroundings it is placed in. This is made possible with the subtle morphological features of this plant and here are some of the major traits of it:

The leaves of this plant are the major attraction with their big oval size and lance shape. The real beautifying elements of these leaves are the color display which includes a spotted green color covering the whole and the shade of red and purple lining the underside of the leaves. The leaves also give the illusion of having smaller leaves growing from them due to the wavy edges of light green spots present on them.
The leaves also display a unique phenomenon of curling inwards during the night time like they are closing down and then unfold as the sun rises. This is mainly to preserve the energy they gain during the daytime.
Flowers are a rare occurrence in this plant but it does give small yellow blooms sometimes.
The average height of this plant ranges between 24-30 inches with the leaves themselves growing up to 18 inches.
In the wild, these trees can be found growing in the forests or under the shade of bigger trees where lesser light reaches.

Growing the calathea lancifolia plant

We have already said that the rattlesnake plant is great for indoor cultivation which means that it is easy to grow given the absence of natural conditions in indoor surroundings but there are some challenges too that you might have to face while growing it. We will tell you all about them and how to deal with them as you read on.

Basic requirements of the plant

Here is a list of the minimal pre calathea lancifolia care conditions that you need to take care of:

Choosing where to grow the plant depends upon the climate zone in which you live. The plant doesn’t do very well outside either in the fully open sunlit areas or the frost-prone ones. The ideal conditions to grow this plant must match with its native growth conditions and you must choose accordingly; this means that growing them indoors is the better idea.
Bright light but indirect is essential for the plant. Keep them in such spaces that don’t receive direct sunlight at all but they get the warmth of it or they will suffer from leaf damage.
A soil mix that is good at moisture retention, as well as drainage, is ideal for this plant. You can try the mix of peat moss and perlite in the ratio 2:1 or just add a good amount of sand to any standard potting mix for improving its drainage. Make sure to have a holed container to keep the soil only required moist.
Humidity is a good friend of this plant. So make adequate arrangements like a pebble tray or humidifier to make the immediate surroundings of the plant humid enough.
The average temperature range good for the growth of this plant is 60-75 degrees F. make sure to keep it safe from sudden temperature shifts, drops especially. Frost can kill the plant.

Method of propagating this plant

Stems taken from a mature plant are the best mediums for starting the calathea lancifolia plant. You can separate a few stems from any rattlesnake plant being re-potted. One stem will suffice for growing one plant.

Now, simply plant these stems into the prepared pot with the soil mix and then water the setting immediately. Make sure to only mist spray the plant next when the soil gets completely dry but don’t let that be for a longer time.

Repotting this plant is important for the roots to grow and expand better. Get a wider container and repot the young plant into it. You can also divide the plant and then plant it in separate smaller pots.

Tips for caring about the calathea lancifolia plant

The rattlesnake plant care is not going to be a hassle as you have to give this plant minimal attention only but also make sure that you do what needs to be done. Here are some useful tips:

The key to good growth of rattlesnake plant is the constant presence of moisture in the soil. Water the plant frequently in the initial growth phase but avoid waterlogging as that can rot the roots. Minimize watering in the cooler times and water only when the soil is fully dry.
Any liquid fertilizer with a balanced proportion of essential plant nutrients can be fed to the plant during the growth phase for optimal growth. Don’t fertilize in the winter season. Ensure soil moistness before fertilizing.
Add fresh soil to the top layer during the spring season for a boost to the nutrient level of the plant.Prune out the dead leaves to maintain the health and neatness of the plant as the issues like yellowing leaves, curling, browning, and limp stems are prevented.
The only problem with this plant is spider mites that can be easily controlled with any mild soap spray for insect treatment.

Conclusion

You must have understood now how easy it is to have a blooming pot of calathea lancifolia plant that you can decorate in any area of your house or office. All you need to make sure is that the steps to grow and calathea lancifolia care are rightly followed and the minor things are taken cautioned about if you want the plant to grow successfully.

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