Which plant is this? We got this from a friend. It is a houseplant with green/red leaves. And how should I take care of it?

Answer

This is a Calathea, a very special but not so easy houseplant. The plants belong to the Maranta family and originally grow in tropical rainforests.

Very special about these plants – and you may have noticed it already – is that they fold their leaves at night. They have a small joint between the leaf and the stem that works under the influence of light. You can sometimes even hear it as a light rustling when the leaves are folding. At http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbvCV22rrOM you can follow the phenomenon at an accelerated pace.

As for the care:

– high humidity: occasionally spray the leaves, or place a pot in a bowl with water without roots standing in water.

– no direct sunlight

– night temperature not below 15°, no draft

You can find more care tips at http://www.tuinadvies.be/calathea_waarden.htm.

Have fun with this special plant!