Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea lancifolia)

Last updated: August 3, 2025

Care Sheet List

The Rattlesnake Calathea is admired for its striking elongated, wavy leaves with a vibrant green pattern on top and a rich purple underside. Calatheas are known for their "prayer plant" habit, where their leaves fold up at night and unfurl in the morning.

Lighting

Rattlesnake Calatheas need medium to low indirect light. They are very sensitive to direct sunlight, which can fade their vibrant leaf patterns and cause leaf scorch. An east or north-facing window, or a spot a bit further back from a brighter window, is ideal.

Watering Routine

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water when the top inch of soil starts to feel slightly dry. Calatheas are particular about water quality; use filtered water, distilled water, or rainwater if possible, as tap water chemicals (like chlorine and fluoride) can cause brown tips on their leaves. Water thoroughly, letting excess drain, and empty the saucer. Reduce watering in cooler months.

Fertilizer Requirements

Fertilize sparingly during the spring and summer growing season, about once a month.

• Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.
• Commercial Recommendation: Products like Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) or Schultz Liquid Plant Food are good options. Dilute these commercial concentrates to achieve approximately 25-50 ppm N in your final solution. This is often equivalent to using them at "half strength" or "quarter strength" of the package's recommended "full strength." Too much fertilizer can harm these sensitive plants, so err on the side of less.
• DIY Fertilizer Suggestion: For optimal results, use your homemade 1-1-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate.
  • For 1-1-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 5 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N). See recipe details.
• Avoid: Do not fertilize in fall and winter.

Misting Requirements

Rattlesnake Calatheas absolutely love high humidity. This is perhaps the most critical factor for their health, as low humidity will lead to crispy brown leaf edges. Mist your plant daily with filtered or distilled water. Grouping it with other plants, using a humidifier, or placing it on a pebble tray are highly recommended to maintain adequate humidity levels.

Pot Size and Soil Type

• Pot Size: When repotting, choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than its current one. They prefer to be a little root-bound. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
• Soil Type: Use a well-draining yet moisture-retentive potting mix. A standard houseplant mix can be improved by adding perlite and orchid bark to ensure good drainage while retaining some moisture. A good mix might be 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part orchid bark.