Shade-tolerant, easy to care for, and able to purify the air, this plant has a cat's-eye-like trait

Do you all know the cat's-eye calathea? It is a very shade-tolerant plant. Because its leaves stand upright vertically at night and spread out and go limp during the day, similar to a cat's eye, it is named "cat's-eye" calathea.

1. Growth habits

The cat's-eye calathea is a herbaceous plant under the genus Calathea in the order Zingiberales. It is native to tropical America and the islands of the Indian Ocean. It likes semi-shade, cannot tolerate direct sunlight, and adapts to growing in warm, humid environments.

2. Watering

It is best to place it in a shaded spot, but the indoor light should be sufficient. At this time of year it must not be exposed to strong sun, and you should often spray some clean water on the leaf surface to increase air humidity. As for the air pollution mentioned upstairs, the cat's-eye calathea itself absorbs these impurities. If the pollution really were that heavy, people probably could not stand it either. As for watering, it is best to water when the soil is dry and stop when it is wet, and do not let it dry out too much.

3. Fertilizing

Apply fertilizer once a week, while in winter the soil can be slightly drier and cooler, and the frequency of fertilizing should be reduced; apply fertilizer once a week, while in winter the soil can be slightly drier and cooler, and the frequency of fertilizing should be reduced. Also, use a dedicated fertilizer when fertilizing, and do not apply too much. If too much fertilizer is applied, it will also burn the plant.

4. Soil

Use high-quality slightly acidic leaf mold soil. During the growing season, apply liquid fertilizer twice a month. In spring, summer and autumn, avoid direct sunlight, and in winter give it plenty of sunlight. During the growing period, keep the potting soil moist and spray water on the leaves every day. After autumn, gradually reduce the amount of water; just keep watering so that the soil dries and then is watered.

5. Uses

The cat's-eye calathea has beautiful and striking leaves, grows densely, and is also shade-tolerant, making it an ideal indoor greening plant. It can be enjoyed as a single plant, or planted in rows as ground cover to appreciate its mass effect. Use small or medium potted plants for viewing, mainly to decorate and arrange studies, bedrooms, living rooms, and so on. It not only removes formaldehyde, but is also an expert at removing ammonia pollution from the air.