Can anyone tell me what houseplant this is?

Barb in Texas
by Barb in Texas
I bought this, untagged, at a big box store as a beautiful little houseplant. I put it in a big pot and it looked great, with broad, thick leaves about 5 inches wide and red veins. I went on vacation, and came back to this. It struggles to put out leaves, which die and then puts a few out again. I don't know if I'm watering it wrong, have it in the wrong light, or what, but it thrived for about 4 months and looked great.
  13 answers
  • Apa4384968 Apa4384968 on Mar 19, 2017

    I can't really tell from the leaf but the stem to the right looks like a peace lily. They do best in shade and warm, like to be wet but not soaking wet. If they dry out and wilt once watered will perk right back up. I live in the SE and put mine outside in summer ,but in shade away from direct sun.

  • Napakin Napakin on Mar 19, 2017

    I vote prayer plant or possible peace lily. They like filtered light, never direct. Mine is about five feet inside an East facing window, and it does well. trim off the dead stuff, fluff up the soil and give it a little stake for support. I water mine once a week and throw a couple of ice cubes on the top if I forget. I have nearly killed mine several times, and I find that the key is to give it ongoing attention :)

  • Mary Lou Mary Lou on Mar 19, 2017

    It appears that the soil may be moldy. I suggest that you remove the healthy part of the plant and put it in fresh soil. Don't put the plant in direct sunlight, or deep shade. Allow the soil to dry on the surface before watering and don't allow the water to remain in the tray. Good luck!

  • Mary Lou Mary Lou on Mar 19, 2017

    If you are still having problems after replanting, look at the water. If it is city water, it may have chemicals or additives that are not good for plants. You may have to use spring water (or bottled).


    • See 1 previous
    • Mary Lou Mary Lou on Mar 23, 2017

      Nowadays, Doris, that only works if you live in a "clean air" part of the world! Otherwise, you will need to purify that water. There are so many chemicals in our air, it's sad!!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 19, 2017

    that is a calathea plant. home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-care-for-calathea-plant.htm

  • Deb Burns Hood Deb Burns Hood on Mar 20, 2017

    I think you are right Janet.

  • Daw17364066 Daw17364066 on Mar 20, 2017

    Definitely calathea. The ridges and spots on leaves.

  • Angie Base Angie Base on Mar 20, 2017

    Yes, it is a Calathea.


  • Barb in Texas Barb in Texas on Mar 21, 2017

    Thanks, I've moved it and cut back on it's water. Hopefully it'll get big and full again soon!

  • Sza13909931 Sza13909931 on Mar 23, 2017

    Found my Calathea at Lowe's it is a "low light" plant that's why I like it and great plant for indoors I always have good luck with Miracal grow soil an easy on the watering an always filtered light ....OH an make sure ur soil doesn't get packed down an root bound I have learned to check for that šŸ™„

    very hard here in the desert to find plants that survive especially when desert heat hits here in North Las Vegas then winter is the desert cold.

  • Shirley Heikkinen Shirley Heikkinen on Mar 23, 2017

    Ideally a plant should be transferred to a pot one inch larger than it's existing pot. Many do not do well when transferred to a much larger pot.

  • Anna Mooney Anna Mooney on Mar 24, 2017

    Calathea