Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
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Plant Details & Care
Growth Category
Moderate
Temperature Range
18–27°C °C
Light Requirement
Indirect light
Agro Ecology
Sub-humid to humid (prefers moisture-rich air)
Watering Frequency
2–3 times weekly in warm weather
2–3 times weekly in warm weather
Region
Best indoors, humid places
Behavior
Evergreen, clump-forming with decorative upright leaves.
Leaves fold upward at night (a “prayer plant” behavior).
Grown mainly as an ornamental indoor plant in Ethiopia.
Leaves fold upward at night (a “prayer plant” behavior).
Grown mainly as an ornamental indoor plant in Ethiopia.
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Treatment
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PestsSpider mites, mealybugs
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DiseasesRoot rot, leaf spot
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Treatmentâś… Do:
Place in bright, filtered light or north/east-facing windows.
Maintain consistent humidity (bathroom, kitchen, or with a humidifier).
Fertilize monthly in the growing season (spring–summer) with diluted liquid fertilizer.
Rotate occasionally to keep growth even.
❌ Don’t:
Don’t expose to direct sunlight — leaves will scorch.
Don’t let soil dry out completely — it causes leaf curling and browning.
Don’t keep in cold drafts (near open windows in Addis during night chill).