Calathea, also known as basket marante, impresses every indoor gardener with its large, multi-colored leaves. The plant comes from the rainforests of South America. It is adapted to life under a sparse canopy and shows interesting behavior at night.
How does a calathea behave at night?
The Calatheafolds up its leaves at night. The plant has joints between the leaves and the petioles that enable this mechanism. That's why the Calathea is also called a living plant.
Why does the Calathea fold up its leaves at night?
Calatheauses every possible sunlight for optimal photosynthesis. The plant grows in the rainforest under sparse foliage and does not receive much light. So that the Calathea catches the last rays of the setting sun, the leaves are placed at a suitable angle.
Why doesn't my Calathea close its leaves at night?
The Calathea reacts to light and leaves theLeaves down when it is bright If the houseplant is too close to a lamp, the leaves remain lowered. Therefore, place your Calathea in a location where it is really dark at night. It is best to use a place with high humidity, such as the bathroom.
Tip
Mimosa leaves
Just like the calathea, the mimosa also folds up its leaves. This behavior is known from the mimosa when touched. But the plants also go into a “sleeping position” at night with their leaves folded up.
