Calatheas became the “beautiful but difficult” plants of the 2017-2020 houseplant boom — stunning foliage paired with maddening care requirements.
Pattern Obsession
Calatheas offered some of the most striking foliage in houseplant world: Ornata (pink pinstripes), Medallion (circular patterns), Rattlesnake (wavy spots), White Fusion (pink/white/green variegation), and Orbifolia (silver stripes). Instagram plant accounts showcased the intricate leaf patterns in macro photography.
Like prayer plants, calatheas perform nyctinasty (leaves move with light), creating engaging time-lapse content.
The Crispy Leaf Struggle
Calatheas’ reputation for crispy brown edges became legendary. Requirements: distilled/filtered water (sensitive to fluoride/chlorine), 60%+ humidity, consistent moisture, bright indirect light, and no temperature fluctuations. Plant parents joked about calatheas “being dramatic.”
Reddit’s r/plantclinic and plant Facebook groups overflowed with “Why is my calathea crispy?” posts. Solutions: humidifiers, pebble trays, bathrooms, or “just give up.”
Source
- The Sill: “Calathea Care” (2017)
- Peak Instagram activity: 2017-2019
- “Crispy calathea” meme era: 2018-2020