calathea - Houseplants

calathea orbifolia – prayer plant

this prayer plant (calathea orbifolia) is native to bolivia. its leaves are rounded and light green colored with dark green stripes.

calathea orbifolia care

calathea orbifolia does best if located bright without afternoon sun. some morning or evening sun such as a light shaded place will be tolerated. but too much sun can cause burned leaves.

a regular potting mix can be used. keep it evenly moist but not wet. the roots should not be soaked with standing water. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok. but it shouldn’t dry completely.

in spring/summer a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. recently bought or repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

calathea orbifolia welcomes a high humidity and high temperatures the year round. to increase the humidity level it can be placed in a saucer, filled with water, small stones or pepples. but make sure that the pot is not sitting right into the water. spraying it over daily may also be helpful. a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f is needed.

calathea orbifolia

propagation

calathea orbifolia can be propagated by division.

calathea roseopicta – peacock plant

calathea roseopicta is commonly known as peacock plant. there are a lot of culitvars available.

care

the peacock plant (calathea roseopicta) does best if located bright without afternoon sun. some morning or evening sun such as a light shaded place will be tolerated. but too much sun can cause leaf burn.

a regular potting mix can be used. keep it evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok. but it shouldn’d dry completely.

calathea roseopicta welcomes a high humidity. to increase the level it can be placed in a saucer, filled with water, small stones or pepples. but make sure that the pot is not sitting right into the water. spraying it over daily may also be helpful.

calathea roseopicta likes room temperature the year round and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

calathea “medaillon”

calathea “rosastar”

propagation

progation can be done by division.

calathea zebrina – zebra plant

calathea zebrina is commonly known as zebra plant. this name is based on the zebra stripped leaves. its inconspicuous flowers are shown in springtime.

care

the zebra plant (calathea zebrina) can be placed from bright to light shaded but does best on a bright position without afternoon sun. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. too much sun can cause leaf burn.

it can be grown in a regular potting mix. keep it evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok but it shouldn’d dry completely.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. recently bought or repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

a high humidity is welcome. to add moisture to the air the zebra plant can be placed in a saucer, filled with water, small stones or pepples. but make sure that the pot is not sitting right into the water. spraying it over daily can also be helpful.

calathea zebrina likes room temperature round the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

calathea zebrina can be propagated by division.

Calathea crocata – Eternal Flame

the native to brazil calathea crocata is commonly known as eternal flame. its puckered ribbed leaves have maroon undersides, the flowers are orange/yellow. during the night it closes up the leaves.

care

the eternal flame (calathea crocata) can be placed from bright to light shaded without afternoon sun (to avoid leaf burn). some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated.

a good regular potting mix can be used. it has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rot. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok, but it shouldn’t dry completely.

a water soluble fertilizer at half strenght can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter.

spraying calathea crocata over with water regularly increases humidity and keeps its leaves dust free.

it likes room temperature round the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

for blooming some weeks of total darkness for 12-14 hours every day can be helpful.

propagation

calathea crocata can be propagated by division.

calathea warscewiczii – calathea

calathea warscewiczii is native to central america (panama, el salvador) and can get up to more than 1 m/3 feet tall. its leaves are velvety and dark green with bright green veins and a purple to maroon colored underside.

care

calathea warscewiczii is suitable for bright to light shaded places with some morning and/or evening sun. afternoon sun can burn its leaves.

it can be grown in a good regualr potting mix which has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause irreversible root damage. the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t dry completely.

a water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. recently repotted or bought plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

a high humidity is welcome, spraying calathea warscewiczii over with water keeps its leaves free from dust.

it likes room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

calathea warscewiczii can be propagated by division.

calathea rufibarba – furry feather calathea

the laeves and stems of calathea rufibarba are covered with tiny hairs. this is why it’s sometimes called furry feather calathea. the genus calathea belongs to the marantaceae family and their members are folding up its leaves during the night.

care

a bright to light shade place without direct sun is welcome. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated.

the furry feather calathea can be planted in a good regular potting mix. keep it constantly moist and avoid overwatering such as drying out. sitting in water can cause root rot.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks during fall/winter. there is no need to feed for the first six to eight weeks if you have recently re-potted.

calathea rufibarba likes it warm with a minimum of 15 °c (59 °f) in fall/winter. spraying it over with water increases humidity and keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

the furry feather calathea can be propagated by division.