Native to Columbia and Venezuela Calathea are known also known as prayer plants as they open their leaves at sunrise and fold their leaves at night, like praying hands. A stunning plant variety has dark glossy green leaves with pinstriped pink overtone patterning to their purple undersides. This plant is also a great for air purifying. Light and Water As with most variegated plants, Calathea need plenty of diffused light however direct sunlight will cause the leaves to fade and lose their markings. They can tolerate some degree of shade, but the better the light con-ditions, the more you will be rewarded by fine foliage. Experiment in your home to find the perfect spot for your plant. To keep a prayer plant happy, make sure you don’t let its soil dry out. Check it at least once a week and wa-ter it when the top two inches of soil feel dry. It will also benefit from feeding once a month in spring and summer. High humidity levels are a must. Stand on a wet pebble tray to improve humidity and mist frequent-ly. Pop it in the shower room or kitchen from time to time to give an extra boost.