What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Calathea

Calatheas are among the most gorgeous plant families: with deep coloration and beautifully patterned foliage, they boast breathtaking leaf variegation. They also bring a party trick that you don’t see from every plant on the market: movement. Their foliage reaches and folds in accordance with the location of the sun throughout the day. With all of these charming attributes, it stands to reason that you want to buy one of your own! But there are a few things to know about Calatheas before you take the plunge. So read on, because it’s all here!

What Are The Most Popular Calathea Varieties?

The Calathea Medallion (Calathea Roseopicta), Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea Lancifolia), and Peacock Plant (Calathea Makoyana) are among the most popular Calatheas for indoor spaces. And they have a few things in common: gorgeous emerald and cabernet variegation, leaves that sway with the sun, and the designation of Prayer Plant.

A Calathea Rattlesnake practicing nyctinasty during the day (right) and at night (left)

Why Are Calatheas Called “Prayer Plants”?

Calatheas are also known as Prayer Plants because of a unique evolutionary behavior common to this plant family, called nyctinasty. A strange word, we know! But there’s a simple explanation. Nyctinasty is the behavior through Calatheas lift and drop their leaves in relation to the cycle of day and night. (It all comes down to sunlight, of course!) During the darker hours, the leaves of a Calathea point upwards, as if in prayer. And during the day, their leaves drop down, allowing the foliage’s surface area to soak in as much light as possible. Voila: Prayer Plants!

Do Calatheas Need A Lot Of Water?

Calatheas are easy-going when it comes to water: they simply like to be kept consistently moist. It’s important that your Calathea’s soil be neither soaking wet nor dry as a bone. Plan on gauging the soil’s moisture every few days to ensure that it maintains a consistent degree of moisture.

Do Calatheas Need A Lot Of Light?

You may be relieved to hear that Calatheas do not require a ton of light. Also known as “Shadow Plants”, Calatheas are native to the dense jungles of South America, where they grow on the forest floor and receive only dappled sun. And because Calatheas have very sensitive leaves, it is actually very important to keep them away from strong rays of direct sunlight. The best spot for a Calathea will be one where they receive medium to bright indirect light.

Calatheas Love Humidity

Calatheas thrive in a humid environment. They’re native to rainforests, after all. Humidity can be boosted by placing a humidifier close to your plant, placing your Calathea’s pot on a pebble humidity tray, or grouping several Calatheas closely together, which supports a mini-biome of moisture.

Boost Your Calathea’s Water With A Simple Trick

Most indoor plants do just fine with water from the tap, but when it comes to Calatheas, you may find that tap water is a bit too harsh for your plant. Calatheas are sensitive to minerals and chemicals in water, so “hard” water (water with a high mineral content) can be rough on your plant. The good news? You can neutralize hard water by simply leaving it out overnight. That’s right: just fill up your watering can, leave it to sit overnight, and the chlorine in the water will evaporate. If you have a water filter, you can also exclusively use filtered water for your Calathea.

…But Mist Your Calathea With Care

Most plants adore a good misting, and Calatheas like a fine mist, too- but not on the tops of their leaves. Think of Calatheas as the butterflies of the plant world. The things that make them so gorgeous (their leaves, of course) are exceptionally delicate. In other words, look, don’t touch! If you want to mist your Calathea, mist it from the bottom up, spraying the undersides rather than the tops of the plant’s leaves. And don’t mist everyday- spotting can occur when Calatheas are over-misted. In general, a humidifier or pebble humidity try is a safer bet for these delicate divas.

Calatheas Have A Colorful Reputation

Calatheas are, inarguably, the belles of the ball. But they are also particular: they are choosy and vulnerable to environmental changes. If you’re looking to buy a Calathea for a loved one as a gift, it is worth considering their familiarity with plant care. Calatheas are exceptionally beautiful plants, but they are not entirely low-maintenance, and it is unusual for them to maintain a uniformly pristine appearance at all times. They’re wild, full of personality, and they go their own way. These reasons are exactly why they’re passionately adored by plant aficionados- but they are also things to consider before buying one for yourself or as a gift. If you’re looking for a “Set It And Forget It” plant, you might prefer another variety, like a Pothos or Parlor Palm.

How to select a thriving, gorgeous Calathea

Once you’ve fallen in love with the Calathea family, there’s no turning back! But there are a few things to look for as you get ready to buy. When you shop for your new Prayer Plant, inspect its foliage carefully. Healthy Calathea foliage will be richly colored and will not have brown or yellowing edges. Its leaves should be vibrant and firm, and its stems should have good posture and a healthy texture. Its soil should not be entirely dry, nor soaking wet. And its grow pot should have a draining hole. This is imperative to avoid root rot.

Avoid purchasing your Calathea from a garden center

This golden rule has never been more important than when you’re shopping for a new Calathea. At this point, you’re well aware that Prayer Plants are incredibly beautiful, and also that they’re more sensitive than many other indoor plant varieties. Now it’s time for you to be choosy: only buy a Calathea from a trusted, premium grower rather than a garden center or home improvement store.

There are so many reasons that this is important, but we’ll touch on just a few. Remember how Calatheas need to be misted on only the underside of their leaves? The odds are that if you buy your new Prayer Plant from a garden center, it’s been blasted unceremoniously by a hose, and more than once.

Garden centers often offer attractively low prices, but there are reasons that they are able to do so. Namely, they do not purchase premium plants (which, naturally, cost a premium price). Additionally, they often care for their plants with a one-size-fits-all approach. And as you’re now well-aware, Calatheas do not like to be treated like everyone else.

You simply can’t know how a garden center has watered your Calathea, what products it has been treated with, or how it has been cared for. And once you’ve bought it, you still have to overcome the logistics of bringing it home.

Transportation is tricky for all living plants, but with Calatheas, extra care is imperative. Driving a new Calathea home in your vehicle is more of a recipe for disaster than success, and can result in structural damage, leaf fall, and stress that may manifest overtime. Like many other tropical plants, Calatheas are also vulnerable to stress caused by forced air (either cold or warm) from a car’s A.C. or vents.

As you start your journey of Calathea love, begin on the right foot by buying your Prayer Plant from a premium supplier that offers doorstep delivery, or ships Calatheas in packaging that is specifically engineered for their protection. When you make the choice to buy your plant from a trusted supplier, you can rest easy knowing that they are experts in their field. Careful transport and plant care that is tailored to your plant’s species is the key to a healthy plant.

Even the healthiest Calathea can experience stress from time to time

Chances are, you’ll have some questions about your Calathea from time to time. After all, they’re magical, mysterious and yes, divas. We’ve got you covered: every plant purchased from Léon & George includes lifetime access to our Plant Doctor service: a team of horticulturalists with decades of experience growing and caring for plants. The Plant Doctor team is here to assess your plant’s health and growth, provide tips and treatment plans, and to offer supportive guidance as you care for your plant. There are no fees required- the Plant Doctor service is just one of many ways we ensure that every plant we sell is designed to thrive.

We’ve compiled a list of common problems that Calatheas can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and impassioned plant parents are the key to our success! Click here to learn more about how to care for and grow your Calathea.

Calathea Varieties | 16 Types of Calathea & How to Care for Them

Calatheas are rare plants known for their striking and contrasting color palette. They will liven up your home with bold colors of green, pinks, and purples.

If you’re lucky, you might even be able to bloom your calathea, offering white or orange flowers that just add to the plant’s beauty.

There are many types of Calatheas, from beginner-friendly, pinstripe, and zebra Calatheas to needier (but totally worth it!) peacock and rosy Calatheas.

These pet-friendly plants require medium to high humidity and work great in bathrooms and kitchens.

With dozens of species and hundreds of hybrids, choosing your favorite can be challenging. Let’s take a look at the different Calathea species to help you find your perfect match.

The Striking Calathea Species

The Calathea’s lower classifications are of the genus, neotropical rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants. And part of the Marantaceae family.

This plant originated from tropical regions, specifically Brazil. Here, they were used for handicrafts and even food preparation.

The types of Calathea with lanceolate, or longer, pointed leaves, were used to weave baskets. While the wider, shorter leaves were used to wrap up food.

The Calathea species is nicknamed ‘prayer plant’ due to its natural leaf movements known as nyctinasty.

This is when the leaves curl and fold or move due to the light patterns changing from day to night.

The plant does this to maximize daytime light for photosynthesis and growth. The Calathea’s leaves rise and drop by altering the water pressure inside them.

Most Calathea can be identified by their unique patterned and sometimes brightly colored leaves—these range from stripes, distinctive outlines, and even full underside color.

The Calathea height can vary based on the types. But most grow no more than 2 to 3-feet, this and low lighting, make them great for smaller rooms, like offices or bathrooms.

Caring for Your Calathea

Calatheas are pet-friendly plants and somewhat easy to care for. They are not a fan of direct sunlight, thriving in low-light areas. This is because they naturally grow on the forest floor under a canopy of trees and high shrubs, getting limited light.

This plant species likes moist soil or potting mediums but doesn’t like to be swimming in water. A watering globe can help keep the soil damp but not soaking.

Since they are tropical plants, they thrive in warmer temperatures, 65-80°F with high humidity, more than 60%.

However, if you live in a low humidity climate, it won’t be detrimental to your plant’s survival. You can stream them in the bathroom, place a humidifier close by, put dampened mulch around the plant, regularly mist it, or simply place bowls of water around your Calathea.

Calatheas usually bloom in the wild, but most household Calatheas won’t. While using fertilizer isn’t necessary for your plant’s maintenance, using a standard household fertilizer should get them blooming beautifully.

Overall, the Calathea needs some TLC, especially speaking about their humidity and water requirements.

They don’t require regular pruning, besides trimming off brown or yellowed leaves to keep them looking in tip-top shape.

How Many Calathea Types Are There?

The Calathea is a diverse species. There are several dozen varieties with over 300 hybrid crosses, making picking a favorite rather tricky.

Some are green and very normal looking, while others are plants with purple undersides, leaves that look like they’re from outer space.

Calathea Varieties with Names and Photos

Calathea Lancifolia – Rattlesnake Plant

Its unique-looking leaves can identify this type of Calathea. The large leaves are long and pointy with crimped-looking edges.

The Calathea Lancifolia is a green plant with a purple underside on the leaves.

The foliage pattern alternates between small and large ellipses, resembling the design on a rattlesnake’s skin, hence its common name.

This variation is slightly more challenging to grow than others but will reward you with up to 30 inches of bold and beautiful foliage.

It requires a lot of heat and humidity with good drainage. In nature, this plant usually produces small yellow flowers late spring, but this event is unlikely when kept as a household plant.

Calathea Orbifolia – Round-Leaf Calathea

The Calathea Orbifolia has been given the common name of round-leaf Calathea because of its large and attractive leaves.

The foliage will impress any house guest with bright green and silvery striped patterns, not to mention its unique silvery underside.

Since the beauty of this plant captures the hearts of so many, it can be tricky to get your hands on.

The Calathea requires a lot of time and maintenance. If you are a beginner gardener or have a busy schedule, maybe this type of Calathea isn’t for you. But those who do dare to journey will not be disappointed with the results.

Calathea ‘PP0005’ – Network Calathea

This Calathea variety can be recognized by its bright green leaves with small yellow geometric-like dots covering the leaves, looking like stained glass or mosaics.

To add to the subtle beauty of this plant, the leaves have a scalloped pattern, gently adding texture to any room they are placed.

Unlike the rattlesnake and round-leaf Calathea, the network Calathea is hardy and is perfect for beginner gardeners or those who don’t have a lot of time to spend on plant care.

Calathea Makoyana – Peacock Calathea

The peacock Calathea rightfully got its name because of its gorgeously patterned leaves. The leaves are rounded but less slender than its cousin, the rattlesnake Calathea, but with similar markings.

The light green leaves are decorated with dark green oval patterns that make the foliage look like they have their own leaves.

When new leaves grow, they start curled up, showing off their bright purple-red underside, adding a pop of color into your space.

This Calatheas variety requires a lot of attention, including regular warm showers or being placed in a humidity tent overnight.

Calathea Ornata – Pinstripe Calathea

Calathea ornata, variously striped, pin-stripe, or pin-stripe calathea plants leaves close – up.

This type of Calathea shows off shiny, colorful striped foliage, similar to, yup, you guessed it, a pinstripe.

The large round leaves are a vibrant green with light pink stripes that look like they’ve been sketched on.

The pinstripe Calathea is easier to care for than the other Calathea mentioned but still requires higher humidity environments.

Calathea Concinna – Calathea Freddie

Freddie is the common name given to the Calathea Concinna. Its elongated, tapered leaves can identify this plant with bold, zebra-looking stripes.

The plant can grow 2-3 feet and each leaf measures between 4-7 inches. If you manage to bloom the Freddie Calathea, the white flowers will protrude out the center of the plant on a long stalk-like inflorescence.

This plant is a little tricky to grow, as the plant is temperamental with water needs. Water regularly, letting the soil dry out about 70%. Trying not to let the earth get completely dry. (If you do, it’s not a train smash, the plant should forgive you once you water it again.)

Calathea Roseopicta – Medallion Calathea

The Calathea Roseopicta medallion is sure to bring life into any home. It can be recognized by its dark green leaves with a light green center and detailed borders.

It almost looks like paint strokes covering the foliage. To accompany the eye-catching leaves is a bright fuschia underside, making itself present when the leaves rise in the mornings due to nyctinasty.

Calathea Misto

This type of Calathea is easier to care for than others we’ve spoken about, great if you’re a beginner gardener. It has hardy, thick foliage, making it more resilient to lower humidities and temperatures.

The misto Calathea can be identified by its round leaves with wavy textured edges. The foliage consists of dark green leaves, with a light green center line that’ll lighten up any room.

Calathea Ornata – Beauty Star Calathea

The beauty star Calathea variety looks similar to pinstripe Calathea. This is because they are both cultivars of the Ornata species.

However, the beauty star has the same striped markings as well as a lighter green splodge on each leaf.

The foliage grows upright and plentiful, rewarding you with a full bouquet of silvery green colors and a touch of deep purple from the underside of the leaves.

Calathea Roseopicta – Corona Calathea

The Calathea Corona is one of the most popular of all the Calathea genus. This plant takes the crown (which is what corona means) for its striking foliage.

The Calathea leaves are rounded in shape with pointed tips. The leaves are a light green, silvery color with a dark, vibrant green outline. You are able to see the vivid purple underside of the leaves when new foliage grows in a curled manner.

Calathea Roseopicta – Dottie Calathea

The Dottie Calathea variety is quite a bit darker than some of the others. This plant can be identified by its large, dark green foliage, with crimped-like wavy edges.

The leaves are mostly deep green, with pops of light pink outlining the shape of the leaf and running down the center.

It almost looks like someone was drawn than on with a wax crayon. As with corona Calathea, this plant also has a deep purple underside.

Calathea Roseopicta – Rosy Calathea

The last of the Calathea Roseopicta genus is the Rosy variation. This is definitely the most vibrant and colorful out of all the Calathea types.

Leaves of the Calathea Roseopicta are shiny purple

True to its name, the foliage of this plant is covered in pinks and purples. Some leaves are almost entirely pink, while others are silvery green with heavy streaks of vibrant color. The leaves are outlined with a contrasting deep green border.

This Calathea grows fast, up to 2ft when in ultimate conditions (and, of course, high humidity.) They can be challenging to take care of but will grace you with bursting colors that wow anyone who lays eyes on them.

Calathea Rufibarba – Furry Feather

This Calathea variation is on the more subtle side. While their unique foliage will still draw attention, they aren’t as colorful as other Calatheas, except for their muted maroon underside.

Their foliage looks like a long bird’s feather with a tapered tip and wavy edges, as their name suggests. But what makes this variety so special is the tiny hair-like, velvety underside.

This plant is also bigger than most and can grow just over 3-feet tall.

The Calathea Rufibarba is also less high maintenance than that of the Orbifolia genus. The furry feather is less forgiving when receiving the wrong kinds of minerals and will have fewer issues with the tips of the leaves browning.

Calathea Crocata – Eternal Flame

Eternal flame flower (calathea crocata) in white flowerpot

This exquisite Calathea will be the spotlight in any home. It can be recognized for its fierce and fiery-looking yellow and orange flowers. The majority of the plant is a deep green and purple foliage, with wrinkled, rounded leaves.

The plant got its name due to its magnificent flowers. They grow straight up from the base of the plant in late spring. These flowers will last for about 2-3 months and are encouraged with fertilizer.

Calathea Zebrina – Zebra Calathea

This Calathea is very similar to the Freddie Calathea. It has velvety foliage of light green, egg-shaped leaves, accompanied by dark green stripes, like zebra stripes.

As with most Calatheas, it also has a purple underside that can be seen when the plant raises its leaves to maximize sunlight.

This plant can grow up to 3-feet and produce leaves of up to 15 inches. As it requires high humidity, it will work great in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen.

Calathea Ornata – Sanderiana Calathea

Much like the pinstripe Calathea, this Ornata is easier to care for than other Calatheas. It requires medium to high humidity and regular misting will be acceptable to keep it happy.

You will fall in love with the artistically painted white-pink stripes along with the leaves, complimenting the dark green leaves and purple underside.

Last Comment on Calathea Plant Types

Due to the Calathea plants striking leaves and bold colors, they are in high demand, making Calatheas generally rare plants.

However, they are still loved by beginner and experienced gardeners. Beginners should look at the Ornata variety as they are the easiest to grow but still have beautiful foliage.

With regular misting and other humidity-enhancing tricks, your Calathea (aka prayer plants) will thrive! You won’t be disappointed with your new addition, adding the needed pop of color into your home collection.

Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these affiliate links, you’re helping to support At Home With Hues produce helpful content and with the running costs of this site. My cat and I really appreciate your support.

Hi I’m Donna-Kay and I am a recovering ex-serial plant killer and cat mama. I created this blog to give practical indoor plants care advice for first-time parent plants and small apartment dwellers. Plus chic renter friendly DIYs inspo.

27 Types of Calathea Plants (With Pictures + Caring Guide)

Calathea, also known as Goeppertia, is a houseplant well-known for its attractive and decorative leaves. It is an herbaceous perennial plant from the Marantaceae class. There are different types of calathea plants, which are unique in their own right, but all in one family.

Regardless of the calathea variety, they all require similar care for healthy growth. They thrive best in rich, well-draining soil, moderate to high humidity, and warm habitats with bright indirect sunlight.

With their vibrant and exotic foliage, it’s easy to fall in love with calatheas – and in today’s post, we’re going to show you some of the most stunning varieties of calatheas that you can add to your houseplant collection.

Table of Contents

What is Calathea Plant?

Calathea is a popular houseplant that is native to the tropical areas of America, Brazil and Colombia to be precise. Its specie name was coined from the Latin word, ‘Calathus’ meaning ‘basket’.

This name was given to it based on the idea that its flowers bear a resemblance to flowers in a basket.

Calathea plants has many beautiful features including leaves that are wide and long. They may also be able to sport stripes and other markings in shades of green, maroon, purple, and cream.

A good number of the calathea plant types possess leaves that covers itself towards the evening periods, which is why it’s been referred to as, ‘Prayer Plants’, then reopens at the dawn of a new day. This process is known as Nysctinasty.

It stands at 1’ to 3’ feet with an equal spread. Meanwhile, it is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 11 through 12.

It is also known to be a seasonal bloomer that produces flowers in shades ranging from white to purple. Calathea plant possesses an extremely beautiful, decorative evergreen foliage.

All the above features, coupled with the fact that its maintenance is not by no means difficult, neither is it complicated makes the calathea plant so popular and appealing, especially for gardeners.

Nevertheless, we have been able to draw a list of the various types of calathea plant. So, it is now left for you to choose from and make your home alluring and adorable with this houseplant.

What is Calathea Used For?

Calathea, like we earlier mentioned, is a group of well-known houseplants, hence, is mostly planted as a decorative plant for indoor use.

Nevertheless, if you insist on using it outdoors, you must ensure that the area has a tropical or semi-tropical setting.

That said, let’s quickly run you through the different calathea varieties so you will know which of them is more suitable for your home and garden.

Types of Calathea Plants

1. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea Lancifolia)

The above type is a very well-known plant that possesses features like narrow, long leaves in shades of light and dark green.

Its background leaves are light green in color, while its amazing markings are made up of darker green shades.

2. Pinstripe Calathea (Calathea Ornata)

This type of Calathea features a tall, appealing plant which possesses green leaves that measures at about 12” inches long.

It also has amazing leaves that are marked with bright, pinkish-white stripes. The long stems, meanwhile, are a medium shade of burgundy.

3. Round-Leaf Calathea (Calathea Orbifolia)

This type of calathea consist of 8–12-inch wide, leathery leaves with creamy and light-green stripes. It is best in humid conditions and well-draining soil.

That said, you want to make sure the plant is kept under partial shade.

4. Furry Feather (Calathea rufibarba)

Another name for this amazing plant is velvet calathea. It features a lance-shaped green foliage, with velvety purple undersides on long burgundy stems.

It prefers to be kept in lower light conditions.

5. Corona (Calathea roseopicta)

Corona or Rose painted calathea, like it is popularly called, possesses a large glossy foliage with bright green to creamy patterns.

It thrives best in well-draining soil. Ensure it is been protected from cold drafts.

6. Peacock Calathea (Calathea Makoyana)

It can also be called Cathedral Calathea. It has leaves that are quite thin, and grow in attractive shades of deep green and purple with lime green markings.

The patterning on the leaves bears the resemblance of a peacock feather, so it is no surprising it is named after a peacock.

Meanwhile, it is a beautiful plant that needs to remain in a setting that has very bright indirect sunlight, as well as very high humidity.

7. Calathea Medallion (Calathea Veitchiana)

This calathea variety possesses a very large, oval-shaped leaves in shades of deep green on the top and deep purple underneath.

The top side of the oval leaves has a feathery center and verge of medium olive green. The feather-shaped center marking is surrounded by darker green with an outline of cream.

8. Jungle Velvet (Calathea Warscewiczii)

This type of Calathea can be gotten from the jungles of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, little surprising it goes by the name, ‘Jungle Velvet’.

The plant possesses a lance-shaped, deep green, velvety leaves with a lighter green leaf pattern.

This particular type demands a high level of humidity, while the application of a plant humidifier is also very much required.

9. Dottie (Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie’)

This calathea plant type features a deep-green foliage that is almost black, with fuchsia pink outlines on each leaf.

It grows best when kept in bright, indirect sunlight and mist regularly to maintain humidity.

10. Rosey (Calathea roseopicta ‘Rosey’)

This variety comes with a large oval-shaped leaf with green edges and a pink center with purple undersides that fold during the night.

Therefore, it is advisable you grow it in a well-draining soil, and ensure you protect it from cold drafts.

11. Velvet or Furry Calathea (Calathea Rufibarba)

This particular species is very popular, and comes with lance-shaped leaves that are green on the top and purple and fuzzy underneath. The stems are a kind of long and are deep burgundy in color.

Nevertheless, the Furry Calathea thrives best when grown in a low light setting. Hence, you should take note of it, to ensure its beauty remains, while also preventing it from fading away.

12. Calathean Leopardina (Calathea Concinna)

You can hear most people call it “zebra plant” most times. This is due to the fact that, the markings on it bears the resemblance of Zebra print.

It carries a long, lance-shaped leaves that are light green, with deep green, leaf-shaped markings radiating from the central vein. The leaves stand on the top of long, light green stems.

Before a year runs by, Calathea Leopardina blooms white flower repeatedly. It is a very beautiful plant that attracts birds, bees and butterflies.

This plant is a perfect groundcover and for indoor use. Meanwhile, it needs steady watering. It is advisable that you don’t allow the soil to ever dry out between watering.

13. Sanderiana (Calathea ornata ‘Sanderiana’)

Sanderiana features a glossy dark-green leaves with rose-cream pinstripes and purple bottom sides.

The plant is at its best when kept in indirect sunlight, therefore, ensure it remains in a bright spot.

14. Calathea Freddie (Calathea Concinna ‘Freddie’)

This type of Calathea plant looks quite astounding with its light green and long narrow leaves patterned with dark-green feathery veins.

The plant is at its best when placed in bright indirect light. Those are the guidelines you need to take in order to ensure and maintain proper humidity.

15. Eternal Flame (Calathea Crocata)

The Eternal Flame plant, as it is commonly called, is a Brazilian plant that possesses dark green, lance-shaped, ruffled leaves that are most importantly, long-lasting and very beautiful with the plants’ unusual yellow orange flowers.

It is at its best with high degrees of very bright indirect sunlight. As a matter of fact, it is most lovely when exposed to an almost direct morning sunlight.

16. Never Never Plant (Calathea Lubbersiana)

Popularly known as “never plant,” Ctenanthe Lubbersiana originated from Brazil. It features alluring beautiful, variegated leaves in shades ranging from very deep green to very bright yellow.

This plant flourishes best when planted in a favorable humidity condition, and should be exposed to a certain degree of indirect sunlight.

17. Calathea Oppenheimiana (Ctenanthe Oppenheimiana)

This Calathean variant is native to Brazil. It features long, leathery leaves of deep, luminous green, striped, and patched at the top in white and pink. Underneath it, is colored deep wine.

On its tender leaves, the color radiates through to give a red glow. It is a plant that is so attractive that it can be used as a table centerpiece.

18. Network™ Calathea (Calathea musaica ‘PP0005’)

What a stunning plant this is! It is an incredible textured cultivar that features variegated small green leaves.

The plant is at its best when placed in bright indirect light. In other words, placing it by the East or West window is very much recommended for its safety and constant attractiveness.

19. Fusion White (Calathea ‘Fusion White’)

Fusion white as it is popularly known by houseplant lovers. It comes with a fantastic marbling of white and green on the foliage with a bright purple underneath it.

The fusion white plant will be most appealing to those that love showy plants. Hence, this plant is recommended for you.

Nevertheless, ensure it is safe in a place with an acceptable degree of humidity, as well as exposed to a bright indirect sunlight.

20. White Tiger (Calathea albertii ‘White Tiger’)

The white tiger as it is commonly called, possesses a charming white pattern in the shape of waves on the dark green leaves.

To enable splash of colors, you can blend it with the other varieties on this list. That is white tiger Calathea for you.

It can easily be paired with other Calathea plant types to give you a very beautiful and attractive varied colors. Meanwhile, like others, it requires humidity and bright indirect sunlight.

21. Beauty Star (Calathea ‘Beauty Star’)

If, like most people, you are so attached to anything green, then you will love the Calathea Beauty Star. You will so worship it, as its foliage features a bright green feathering from the center that flows towards the dark green ends of the leaves.

Just ensure it is kept at a place with high humidity level, and ensure it is exposed to a bright indirect sunlight.

There are so many varieties of the Calathea plant, hence, having mentioned the top 21 types, let’s briefly highlight some of the other types of the plant that may interest you:

Other types of calathea that are worth mentioning include:

• Misto, otherwise known as Calathea ‘Misto’
• Calathea rotundifolia, originated from the Greek word, ‘Kalathos’ meaning ‘Basket’.
• Calathea Louisae
• Calathea Lutea
• Calathea Burle Marx, named after Brazilian landscape designer, Roberto Burle Marx
• Calathea Picturata

How To Care For Calathea Plants

Below are the key things to take note of in order to protect your Calathea plants from destruction, while also ensuring their attractiveness remains adorable:

Calathea Light Requirement

It doesn’t matter the type, the entire Calathea family are mostly attractive when put under shades, whether it is a complete or partial shade.

Talking about its light, though, it may likely survive under bright lights, but indirect lightning is the best recommended light setting for it.

Temperature Requirement

For the fact that Calathea is a tropical plant, it will require a warm indoor temperature of about 60–80-degree Fahrenheit and humidity. Mind you, it doesn’t require unnecessary heavy watering.

Watering Calathea Plant

As regards the aforementioned, Calathea needs water, and thrives with a wet and dry watering method. In other words, it needs to be watered thoroughly.

After that, hold on for some moments so as to ensure the top inch of soil dries before repeating the trick (watering again). Ensure the soil is not soggy.

Also, beware of excessive watering as it could likely invite all kinds of pests including spider mites, Aphids, and Scale.

Again, beware of low level of humidity as it can lead to situations in which the tips on the leaves dry up, edges turn brown, curling leaf, and eventually turning brown.

Feeding Calathea Plant

There is the need for constant fertilization. You will want to fertilize your calathea plant at least every two weeks, and let it be done during late spring to early fall, with a partial strength water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.

Soil Needs

Calathea plant, no doubt, survive most when planted in well-drained fertile soil. For a rich soil base mix 25% extra peat moss to bagged houseplant potting soil to make an original soil mix.

Propagating Calathea

When propagating the Calathea, it is advisable you do it by division when repotting. Thickened tubers is clearly defined on the roots.

So, it is most attractive when the tubers have one or two leaves. Then, you plant the divisions in a pot 2 inches underneath the soil surface in a rich, well-draining soil like the aforementioned. Ensure the soil remain a bit moist and warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of Calathea are there?

Calathea has about 300 cultivars, which are spread across several bunches of different species of this genus.

How do you identify a Calathea?

Calathea can be easily identified by its leaves. The plant usually has dark-green leaves with bright pink stripes and bright-green feathering.

Can Calathea grow in low light?

Yes, calathea plants thrives in low light; however, some aspects can make it somewhat difficult for them.

What is the easiest calathea to care for?

Calathea lancifolia, also known as Rattlesnake Plant, is considered the easiest calathea plant to care for.

How often should you water a Calathea?

We recommend watering your calathea plant every 1 to 2 weeks. Remember to let the soil dry out half way between watering. Also, water less often in lower light and more often in brighter light.

Can you propagate Calathea?

Yes, you can propagate calathea, and the easiest way to propagate the plants is by division.

Calathea houseplant thrives better when it’s divided and repotted each year in early spring before its growth period starts. However, calathea cannot be propagated by stem cuttings.

Why is a Calathea called a prayer plant?

Calathea is called a prayer plant because its leaves fold together at night, looking like a pair of praying hands. The majority of types of prayer plants have variegated leaves, which adds to their overall interest.

Conclusion | Different Calathea Varieties

We have fully listed out some types of calathea plants, and their brief features. The ball now rests in your court to choose from anyone of them and make your home a more colorful and attractive place.

It’s worth noting that calathea comes nearly 300 varieties, so there are still more that we didn’t mention in the article.

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