Bird of Paradise vs Calathea
Side-by-side comparison.
| Bird of Paradise | Calathea | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Light | Bright indirect light, tolerates some direct sun | Bright indirect light |
| Water | Allow top 2-3 inches to dry, water thoroughly, ~weekly | Keep soil consistently moist; water when top inch feels dry |
| Humidity | 50-70% | 60% or higher |
| Mature size | 3-6 ft indoors | 1-2 ft tall indoors |
| Pet-safe? | Toxic to cats & dogs | Yes |