How to grow the Calathea as a houseplant. Now do you have one in your house? How do you find the watering and the care? Let us know.

image from housing.com 

​Lots to write about today.  Temperature is rising today with a high of 36F(2C) right now at 900 AM we have a clear, blue sky.  Rain is moving in tonight.  We will take this clear, blue sky and warm temperatures today.  Stay warm, stay safe with all the ice and melting of snow. 
Today is my dad’s birthday.  He was born in 1903.   He was so proud that today was the day the Wright Brothers flew their first airplane on the day he was born.  Happy Heavenly Birthday Dad.   Clarence A. Kerndt   1903-1970
 
Australia family and friends are having the opposite of us 97F(36C) Extreme heat is still in effect.  This is also the last day of the school year for the kids.  Stay cool, stay safe.   
 
Larry and I helped at our Pastor’s husband funeral in Mason City.  It went well, and glad we could help.  Pastor Wendy serves three churches, and there was help from all three.  We are called the TRIO churches and working together was awesome. But as I told a few, this is what we do.  Help when needed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Wendy and the family during this time of their loss. 
 
I just ordered a 45-plug tray of these plants. What I just learned is always they like the soil moist, but not wet.  I will keep that in mind as I am having some here at the house.  It looks like a good house plant for you but remember the moist with the growing of this one. 
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Brighten Low-Light Rooms with Stunning, Colorful Foliage That’s Pet-Friendly
Written By:  Christopher Burnett
Looking for a houseplant that practically paints your room with its leaves? Meet Calathea—the tropical stunner whose intricate patterns of greens, purples, and creams make every glance a delight. Perfect for low-light corners, this plant may be a bit high-maintenance, but the reward is a living work of art that’s safe for pets and impossible to ignore. Let’s uncover how to keep your Calathea thriving and vibrant year-round.
About Calathea
Plants of the genus Calathea are native to the rainforests of South America. They only grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12, so they are treated as houseplants and not planted in the ground. While they flower in the native rainforest, it’s very rare for calathea to flower indoors. However, their painted foliage is very attractive on its own!
Calathea resembles closely related species in the genus Maranta (known as the prayer plant). To add confusion, many popular houseplant varieties once classified as Calathea are now considered part of Goeppertia. Ultimately, all these houseplants plants have similar care requirements, regardless of their official names, so don’t place too much importance on labels!
Grown for its lush, tropical-looking foliage, the beautiful calathea is a favorite of houseplant collectors. They will grow in low-light rooms, which is a bonus. Plus, they are non-toxic to pets. However, their demanding humidity and watering preferences may make them a challenge to a beginner houseplant keeper. Paying attention to its houseplant care needs is essential, hence this plant guide!
Growing
Calthea is a long-lived plant, assuming you provide the correct light, water, humidity, and temperature.
Difficulty level: Moderate, due to watering and humidity requirements.
Water
Calathea thrive when their potting mix is kept consistently moist but not saturated wet. This can be a tricky balance to strike, so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to get it right! The use of a moisture meter is highly recommended. Use the moisture meter to test the potting mix before watering; the mix should not be allowed to fully dry out between waterings, but it should also not remain waterlogged.
Light
Adapted to grow in the rainforest understory, calathea tolerate low light conditions. However, they look their perkiest and most colorful when kept in bright indirect light. Keep them away from fully exposed south-facing windows, as the intense sunlight can burn their leaves and dry their potting mix out too quickly. If possible, place calathea in an east-facing window where they will receive morning sunlight or in a west- or south-facing window that’s covered with a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunlight. A north-facing window is also a fine option, although plants may benefit from supplemental artificial light in the form of a full-spectrum LED.
Humidity
Although calathea may tolerate moderate levels of humidity (40 to 60%) for a period, they do best with high humidity (>60%) long-term. Use a humidifier to achieve appropriate humidity levels near the plant. (Misting the plant will not be enough to keep the humidity up, unfortunately.) Keep calathea away from particularly dry areas as well, such as near air vents or fireplaces. A bathroom windowsill makes for the perfect calathea perch.
Temperature
Being warm-weather plants, calathea do not grow well in temperatures below 60°F and may even start to lose their leaves and die back if kept too cold. For this reason, keep them away from frigid windows in the winter.
Fertilizer
Calathea are not very demanding when it comes to fertilizer. When they’re actively growing—typically in the spring and summer months—apply a balanced fertilizer every 2–3 weeks. At other times, apply fertilizer once a month at the most, as calathea are susceptible to root burn from overfertilization.
Toxicity
Calathea are considered non-toxic to humans and pets.
Types
Options abound in the world of calathea! There are many varieties available at nurseries, greenhouses, and garden centers today, so no matter your color or pattern preferences, you will likely be able to find a calathea that catches your eye and matches your style.
Rattlesnake plant, Goeppertia insignis (syn. Calathea lancifolia): This popular variety sports narrow, light-green leaves adorned with dark-green spots and reddish-purple undersides. The long and slender leaves have slightly wavy edges—an overall look that is whimsical but modern.
Goeppertia orbifolia (syn. Calathea orbifolia): These elegant plants have large, wide, rounded leaves that are a pale, silvery green veined by darker green stripes.
Peacock plant, Goeppertia makoyana (syn. Calathea makoyana): Another popular variety, the peacock plant (also known as cathedral windows) has oval leaves that end in a gentle point. The leaves are pale green with darker green edges and spots, and have reddish-purple undersides.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/calathea-care-guide-how-keep-your-tropical-houseplant-thriving
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse