This species loves heat and humidity, but dislikes direct sunlight. Keeping it in your garden in temperate regions is not a good idea and it will require less work if kept indoors.

The plant is also known for letting their owners know when to go to bed - its leaves close up in the evening. Even without its flowers Calathea Crocata looks spectacular.

Flowering: The plant comes from Maranta family, with many kinds of Calathea, but Calathea Crocata is special due to its beautiful flowering.

The name 'Eternal Flame' comes from the yellow and orange flowers that resemble a flame. They grow on the top of the stems, a little higher than the leaves. Their sepals are rose - red and are not clearly visible among the yellow-orange bracts.

The flowers last 2-3 months.

Foliage: As mentioned before this species looks spectacular even without its yellow flowers. The leaves are metallic green on the outside with purple hues and brown undersides. Similar to other kinds of Calathea they are slightly wrinkled.

Displaying and growing: Some like to display the plant on its own when it is in bloom. It looks really nice on a table. However, it will look great with other plants that require similar care.

Facts

Origin: Brazil. Names: Eternal Flame (common). Calathea Crocata (botanical/scientific). Max Growth (approx): Height 1 - 2ft. Poisonous for pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Eternal Flame Care

Temperature: It likes humidity and warmth. Not lower than 60ºF (16ºC). It will do well in a room temperature as long as there is a high level of humidity. The temperature in the room must be stable, and not change much. Light: A bright room, but no direct sunlight as that can make the color of the leaves fade away. Watering: Eternal flame likes to have an even amount of water. It is especially important during the summer months, when it is warmer. It all depends on the type of compost you use. Check the label first. Soil: The best for potting the Calathea Crocata is soil based potting compost with some peat moss (around 25%). Remember to allow the water to drain easily. Fertilizer: Standard liquid fertilizer, used every two weeks, during the growing period. Re-Potting: The best time for this is late June. Humidity: High. It is best to mist the plant every day with room temperature water. If it does not have enough humidity the color of the leaves will be spoiled by brown spots. Propagation: Propagate (division) in late June. The new plants need to have some leaves and sturdy roots. Plant 5-8cm deep, keep the soil moist and temperature around 18º C. Pruning: Prune at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk. You can cut the brown edges of the leaves with scissors. They will grow back naturally. However, if your plant has a lot of half-brown leaves it might be a sign of over or under watering.

Potential Problems

• Pests: Check for red spider mites every now and then. Use a magnifying glass as the mites are small and are hard to spot.

• Browning leaves: As mention before, this is a result of a wrong watering.

• Withering leaves: The leaves can wither at the edges. This might be caused by too much calcium in the water (a good solution to this is to use rain water for watering), the air in the room is too dry, or the plant hasn't had enough, or has had more than enough of water.