Calathea Musaica - Network Prayer Plant
Prepare to be absolutely mesmerised by the stunning Calathea Musaica (syn. Goeppertia kegeljanii) - the plant that looks like nature decided to create digital art! This incredible Network Plant is seriously one of the most captivating members of the prayer plant family, with its jaw-dropping mosaic-like patterns that look like they've been hand-pixelated by Mother Nature herself.
What makes this Calathea Network Plant so utterly enchanting is those intricate light green lines creating a perfect grid pattern across each gorgeous leaf. It's like having a living piece of modern art that changes throughout the day - because yes, this beauty moves its leaves up and down just like all prayer plants do! When you see those leaves dancing in the morning light, you'll understand why plant lovers are absolutely obsessed.
Why Choose Calathea Musaica for Your Collection?
- Incredible Mosaic Patterns: Those mesmerising network-like patterns create the most stunning visual display - every leaf is like a piece of living pixel art
- Prayer Plant Magic: Watch in wonder as the leaves fold up each evening and open again in the morning - it's like having a daily plant performance
- Pet-Safe Beauty: One of the few truly striking houseplants that's generally considered safe around curious pets and children
- Compact Perfection: The perfect size for shelves, desks, or creating stunning grouped displays without taking over your whole space
- Easier Calathea: While still needing proper care, this Network Plant is one of the more forgiving members of the notoriously fussy Calathea family
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light: Your Calathea Musaica absolutely loves bright, indirect light to show off those incredible patterns. An east-facing window or a spot with lovely filtered light works perfectly. Keep it well away from direct sunlight - those beautiful leaves can scorch easily and lose their stunning patterns.
Watering: Here's where it gets important - watering needs to suit YOUR home environment. In a chunky, well-draining mix, you might need to water more frequently than in a finer, moisture-retaining medium. Generally, let the top few centimetres of soil dry out between waterings, but never let it go completely dry. Your Network Plant appreciates consistent moisture but will absolutely not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Temperature: Keep your Calathea Musaica happy in stable Australian indoor temperatures between 18-24°C. These tropical beauties really don't appreciate sudden temperature changes or cold drafts, so keep them away from air conditioning vents.
Humidity: Higher humidity is absolutely key for keeping those gorgeous leaves looking their best! Group your plants together to create that lovely humid microclimate - your Calathea Network will reward you with more vibrant patterns and happier growth.
Fertilising: Feed your Calathea Musaica with Growth Technology Foliage Focus during the growing season (September-March in Australia). Use 3-5ml per litre of water for soil plants - these beauties appreciate gentle, regular feeding to maintain those stunning leaf patterns.
Seasonal Care: During our hot Australian summers (December-February), keep a close eye on humidity levels and ensure consistent watering. In winter (June-August), growth naturally slows down and you'll need to reduce watering frequency while maintaining humidity levels.
Perfect For
- Intermediate plant parents ready for the rewarding challenge of prayer plant care
- Pet owners seeking stunning houseplants that are generally considered safe
- Creating beautiful grouped displays with other tropical foliage plants
- Adding living art to bright, humid spaces like bathrooms or kitchens
- Plant enthusiasts who love watching daily leaf movement and patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calathea Musaica safe for pets?
Yes! The Calathea Musaica is generally considered pet-safe and non-toxic to cats and dogs. This makes it a fantastic choice for pet owners who want stunning foliage without the worry. However, it's always best to discourage pets from munching on any houseplants.
Why do the leaves on my Network Plant curl up at night?
That's the magic of prayer plants! Calathea Musaica naturally folds its leaves upward each evening and opens them again in the morning. This daily rhythm is called nyctinasty and it's completely normal and healthy behaviour - enjoy the daily show!
How do I maintain those stunning mosaic patterns?
Bright, indirect light is absolutely crucial for maintaining the gorgeous network patterns. Too little light and the patterns fade, too much direct light and the leaves can burn. Consistent humidity and proper watering also help keep those patterns vibrant and defined.
Why are the edges of my Calathea leaves turning brown?
Brown edges usually indicate low humidity or water quality issues. Increase humidity by grouping plants together, and try using filtered or rainwater instead of tap water if possible. Calatheas can be sensitive to the chemicals in some tap water.
Every Calathea Musaica we send out is carefully selected for health and those incredible patterns. These beautiful Network Plants are grown with love and expertise, ensuring they arrive ready to bring that amazing mosaic magic to your Australian home.
If you are from a quarantine restricted state & would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR PLANTS GET TO YOU & HOW YOU CAN PICK THEM UP!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit & Pick Up from the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'BOOK TO VISIT' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE DO NOT SHARE THE GREENHOUSE ADDRESS PUBLICLY BECAUSE ITS OUR HOME ASWELL AS BUSINESS, AFTER YOU BOOK YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR TEXT WITH OUR ADDRESS, IF THE GATE IS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL DON'T WORRY WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU :) AND PLEASE NO BIG BOUNCY DOGS AS ITS A SMALL SPACE & PLANTS GET DAMAGED WITH HAPPY TAILS :)
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
