How to Keep Calatheas Alive Without Losing Your Mind: Best of Growing Joy Replay
How to Keep Calatheas Alive Without Losing Your Mind: Best of Growing Joy Replay  
Podcast: Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care
Published On: Fri May 29 2026
Description: Calathea is one of the most gorgeous and often most disappointing houseplants a new plant parent can bring home. If you've ever taken a beginner plant shopping, you already know: they walk straight to the calatheas. Can you blame them? These plants look like they were literally hand-painted by Mother Nature. But calathea care is pretty tricky. The leaves curl. The edges go crispy and brown. The humidity demands feel impossible. Suddenly, your most beautiful plant becomes your most dramatic one. That's why I brought Mark Hachadourian, Director of Glasshouse Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, to cover how to care for calatheas and prayer plants, troubleshoot the most common problems, and actually keep them alive. In this episode, we learn: What Marc does for the NYBG What plants fall under the Marantaceae Family Prayer Plant, Calathea and Stromanthe- their differences and similarities Why do the leaves fold up and down as in “prayer” Why the bottoms of many Marantaceae are purple Why the tips brown and how we help avoid this Why humidity is so important for the Marantaceae family Marc answers a collection of listener questions   Mentioned in our conversation: New York Botanical Garden   What do you think is the #1 reason calatheas are so hard to keep alive? Check out the full show notes and blog for Mark's expert Calathea troubleshooting guide!   Follow Marc & NYBG: Website Instagram Facebook     Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.