Maranta Vs Calathea

If you’re looking at tropical houseplants with stunning patterned leaves, you’ve likely come across the maranta and calathea. Understanding the maranta vs calathea difference is key to choosing the right plant for your home, as they are often confused but have distinct needs. Both belong to the same family, Marantaceae, and share that famous trait of moving their leaves, but they are different genera with unique characteristics. Let’s clear up the confusion so you can care for them properly.

While they are cousins, marantas and calatheas are not the same plant. The most common maranta you’ll find is the Maranta leuconeura, often called the Prayer Plant. The term “calathea” covers a much broader group, including popular species like the Calathea orbifolia, medallion, and rattlesnake. The confusion is so common that many plants once classified as Calathea have been reclassified into the Goeppertia genus, though most stores still label them as calatheas. For simplicity, we’ll refer to them all as calatheas here, as that’s the name you’ll see in nurseries.

Key Differences in Appearance

At first glance, they look similar. But with a closer look, you can spot the tell-tale signs.

Leaf Shape and Habit: Maranta leaves tend to be more oval or elliptical with a spreading, trailing growth habit. They often grow lower to the pot and can spill over the edges. Calathea leaves are usually more elongated, oval, or even lance-shaped, and they grow more upright from a central clump.
Leaf Patterns: This is where they both shine. Maranta patterns often feature bold splotches or painterly strokes of color, like the deep red veins of the Maranta ‘Erythroneura’ (Red Prayer Plant). Calathea patterns are frequently more precise, with intricate stripes, feathered lines, or geometric patterns that look almost painted on.
Underside Color: The leaf underside is a great clue. Maranta leaves typically have a fairly uniform, pale green or sometimes greyish underside. Many calatheas boast a stunning, contrasting purple or burgundy underside, which is especially dramatic.

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick visual guide to help you tell them apart at the store.

Common Names: Maranta: Prayer Plant. Calathea: Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant, Rattlesnake Plant.
Growth Habit: Maranta: Low, spreading, can trail. Calathea: Upright, clump-forming.
Leaf Texture: Maranta: Often slightly velvety or matte. Calathea: Can be glossier, sometimes with a leathery feel.
Flowering: Maranta: May produce small white or purple flowers more readily indoors. Calathea: Rarely flowers indoors, and it’s not particularly showy.

Care Requirements: Where They Diverge

This is the most important part. Getting the care right depends on knowing which plant you have.

Light Needs

Both plants prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch their beautiful leaves. However, marantas are often a bit more tolerant of slightly lower light conditions than calatheas. A north or east-facing window is ideal for both. If the light is too low, a calathea’s growth will slow significantly and its markings may fade.

Watering and Humidity

This is a critical area. Both need consistent moisture and high humidity, but their tolerance levels differ.

Maranta: Likes the soil to stay evenly moist but not soggy. It can be slightly more forgiving if you miss a watering, but it will develop crispy brown edges if the air is too dry.
Calathea: Is notoriously fussy about water. It prefers distilled, filtered, or rainwater, as the chemicals in tap water (fluoride, chlorine) can cause leaf tips to brown. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but never waterlogged. It demands high humidity—think 60% or higher.

A pebble tray or humidifier is almost essential for a calathea, especially in winter. A maranta will appreciate it too, but might survive with frequent misting.

Soil and Fertilizing

The foundation for both is a well-draining, peat-based potting mix. You can use a standard African violet mix or make your own with peat, perlite, and a bit of compost.

Feed during the growing season (spring and summer).
Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks.
Stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
Always water the soil before applying fertilizer to avoid root burn.

Calatheas can be more sensitive to fertilizer salts, so diluting to half-strength is a wise precaution for both plants.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with great care, you might encounter some issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Crispy Brown Leaf Edges

This is the number one complaint. It’s almost always due to low humidity or chemicals in tap water. Increase humidity around the plant and switch to filtered or distilled water for watering. You can trim the brown edges off with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves can mean a few things. Older leaves yellowing and dying off is normal. Several leaves yellowing at once often points to overwatering. Check the soil—if it’s soggy, let it dry out more between waterings. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.

Leaves Curling or Drooping

Curling leaves usually signal the plant is thirsty. Check the soil moisture. Drooping can also mean overwatering or a cold draft. Keep these tropical plants away from air conditioning vents and chilly windows in winter.

Fading Leaf Patterns

If those beautiful markings start to dissapear, the plant is probably getting too much direct light. Move it to a shadier spot. Too little light can also cause patterns to become less vibrant.

Propagation: How to Make More Plants

The good news is both plants are propagated in the same way: by division. The best time to do this is when you repot in spring or early summer.

Gently remove the plant from its pot and brush away excess soil.
Look for natural divisions in the root clump—separate sections that have their own stems and roots.
Using your hands or a clean, sharp knife, carefully tease or cut the sections apart.
Ensure each new section has a healthy amount of roots and several stems.
Pot each division into a small container with fresh potting mix.
Water well and keep in a warm, humid spot to recover.

Propagation by stem cuttings is possible with maranta (they have nodes on their stems), but it’s less reliable and not typically done with calatheas.

Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between a maranta and a calathea depends on your home environment and your plant-care personality.

Choose a Maranta if: You have moderate humidity, want a plant that can trail, and prefer a slightly more forgiving watering schedule. The classic ‘Lemon Lime’ Maranta is a fantastic starter plant.
Choose a Calathea if: You can provide high humidity (like a bathroom with a window), are committed to using filtered water, and love a dramatic, architectural plant. The Calathea lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant) is considered one of the easier calatheas to start with.

If your air is very dry, you might struggle with both, but a maranta may give you a bit less trouble. Remember, no plant likes to be near heating vents or in the path of dry, forced air.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: Are maranta and calathea the same?
A: No, they are different genera within the same plant family. They have similar care but are distinct plants.

Q: Why do they call them Prayer Plants?
A: This common name applies primarily to marantas, though some calatheas do it too. Their leaves raise upward at night, resembling hands in prayer, due to a circadian rhythm process called nyctinasty.

Q: Which is easier to care for, maranta or calathea?
A: Most gardeners find the maranta to be slightly easier and more forgiving, especially regarding water quality and humidity fluctuations.

Q: Can I put my maranta and calathea together in the same pot?
A: It’s not recommended. While their needs are similar, calatheas often require stricter conditions. One plant might suffer if the other’s ideal care isn’t met. They are better off in separate pots.

Q: Why are the leaves on my calathea turning brown?
A: The most common causes are low humidity, minerals in tap water, or under-watering. Try boosting moisture in the air and switch to rainwater or filtered water for best results.

Bringing either a maranta or calathea into your home adds a beautiful piece of the tropics. By knowing their specific needs—especially the calathea’s need for pure water and high humidity—you can keep their foliage vibrant and healthy. Start with the one that best matches your environment, and you’ll be rewarded with years of gorgeous, moving leaves.