Indoor plant help/id

[InAPrettyCabinet]

We've inherited a plant from my mum. I've had my eye on it for a while but it was flourishing and she wouldn't let me near it!
Now it's looking so sad she had a strop and stuck it in the garden!
I rescued it a couple of days ago and it's now living in dd1's room. She's the only one who can keep indoor plants alive. I'm much better with outdoor plants in my garden!
Part of the issue we have is that mum can't remember what it is!
She says the leaves grow and unfurl, look lovely and green but then start to curl and discolour. I haven't done anything with it yet other than plonk it in dd1's room.

[InAPrettyCabinet]

Forgot to add the pictures 🤦‍♀️

[AdaColeman]

It looks like a Calathea, not sure which of the many varieties though.

[NanTheWiser]

Yes, it's a Calathea. These are tropical rain forest plants, so they appreciate warmth and humidity, you could place it on a saucer of damp pebbles to increase the humidity around it.

[InAPrettyCabinet]

Wow so would it like it better in my en suite?

[InAPrettyCabinet]

Sorry I'm slow but a saucer of damp pebbles? So I literally stand the pot on some wet pebbles?

[NanTheWiser]

En suite might be good, as long as it gets enough light (it doesn't need full sun!).
Yes, a saucer of pebbles kept damp provides a small microclimate around the plant (in theory), which should help. Don't allow the pot to get waterlogged though.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

You basically fill a shallow dish with water to provide a reservoir to evaporate and make a damp atmosphere. Then fill it with pebbles so you can stand the pot on the pebbles and keep the plant's toes clear of the water.

Remove those dead leaves and it'll look a lot better.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

What's the difference between Maranta and Calathea? Both genera are in the Marantaceae. It looks to me that Calathea seem to have "painted" leaves, whereas Maranta have raised coloured veins - or is this too simplistic? Googling has not been useful!

[SilveryMountainStream]

Yes that's a calathea, they're lovely. Removing the dead leaves will make it look better straight away.

IIRC they don't like cold draughty windowsills, nor direct sun. You can check if soil damp enough by pushing finger in up to first knuckle. I also find they like a gentle shower with warm water if the leaves get too dusty. I put most of my plants in the bath and give them a regular shower, no time to be dusting leaves and gives them a really good drink with a chance to drain properly afterwards

[InAPrettyCabinet]

Had a tidy up, repotted it and moved it into the main bathroom. Fingers crossed.

[notquitesurewhathappened]

Just thought I’d update you all (under a new user name!)
She seems to be flourishing! She has a warm shower every few days and compared to how she looked originally it’s like a different plant. Lives in the bathroom.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Lovely! Well done!

[GreyGardens88]

wow that's great it was in a very sorry state before!

[NanTheWiser]

Just shows what a little bit of TLC can do! Well done!

[Fere]

Yes, they usually fold leaves if they are thirsty.
Well done for rescuing it!

[PAND0RA]

Good result and thanks for the update.