16 Types of Calathea Plants Varieties with Names and Pictures
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Calathea are flowering plants with decorative foliage which closes at night and have been given them the common name, 'Prayer Plants'.
There about 60 species in the Calathea genus of the family Marantaceae and are native to the tropical regions of America.
Though most of them are grown for their spectacular foliage, a few of them like Calathea crocata, bear colorful inflorescences.
Calatheas require medium to bright, indirect light and warm, humid conditions inorder to thrive.
The best soil for growing Calathea should be moist, free-draining and rich in organic matter like this Calathea potting mix available on Etsy.
Calathea Plants are considered non-toxic and are safe to grow in households with children or pets.
Calathea Plants are a great addition to any plant collection. If you would like to add these beauties to your collection, here is our Link to Etsy Shops.
We have herebelow outlined some pretty Calathea varieties that you can grow successfully in your home.
16 Different Types of Calathea Plants
Our selection of the best Calathea for home include Calathea bachemiana, Calathea crocata, Calathea fasciata, Calathea lancifolia, Calathea leopardina, Calathea musaica among others.
1. Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana)
Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) is one of the hardier Calathea plants whose leaves are slightly thicker and have a leathery feel as opposed to other Calatheas.
Calathea bachemiana thrives in the shade and can tolerate lower temperatures than its relatives. The leaves are long, blue-green with dark-green stripes.
Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 ft. Read more on how to grow and care for Calathea bachemiana.
2. Calathea crocata (Eternal Flame Plant)
Calathea crocata commonly called Eternal Flame Plant is one unique member of the Calathea group which has quite plain foliage but it is popular for its display of erect orange-red flowers.
The common name, 'Eternal Flame', is in reference to the spectacular, long-lasting blooms that it produces in summer. The blooms can last for 2 to 3 months.
Calathea crocata is a small-sized plant which grows to a height of about 1.5 ft and about 1 ft wide. Learn more on how to grow and care for Eternal Flame Plant.
3. Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata)
Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) is a charming perennial plant which bears deep-green leaves with lime-green rib variegation and purple undersides.
The plant is a popular houseplant on account ot its spectacular glossy orb-shaped leaves which radiate from the center of the plant.
Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata) grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 ft. Read on how to grow and care for Calathea fasciata.
4. Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea lancifolia)
Rattlesnake Calathea or Calathea lancifolia is a perennial plant which bears slender pale-green leaves which are heavily marked above with dark blotches and have purple undersides.
Calathea lancifolia which also goes by the botanical names Goeppertia lancifolia and Goeppertia insignis is a member of the Marantaceae family.
Rattlesnake Calathea (Calathea lancifolia) grows in clumps to a height of about 2-3 ft. The leaves are about 1-2 ft long. Learn how to grow and care for Rattlesnake Calathea.
5. Calathea leopardina (Calathea Freddie)
Calathea leopardina (Calathea Freddie) is an easy-care Calathea plant which bears long, light-green leaves with darker green zebra stripes and purple undersides.
The leaves grow almost horizontally and are held up by long stems which makes it easy for your to admire them as they grow.
Calathea leopardina (Calathea Freddie) grows in clumps to a height of about 2-3 ft. The plant is not grown for the flower but for the pretty foliage and is unlikely to flower under room conditions. Read more on how to grow and care for Calathea leopardina.
6. Calathea musaica (Calathea Network)
Calathea musaica commonly called Calathea Network is a spectacular Calathea plant which bears green, arching, glossy leaves adorned by an interesting mosaic pattern.
The common name, 'Calathea Network', is in reference to magnificent criss-crossing pattern on the leaves.
Calathea musaica is a slow-growing, perennial plant which grows to a height of about 2 ft and about 2-3 ft wide. Learn more on how to grow and care for Calathea Network.
7. Calathea picturata (Goeppertia picturata)
Calathea picturata (Goeppertia picturata) is a delightful plant on account of the intense colour in the centre of its leaves surrounded by a band of green colouring along the edges while the undersides are a purple-burgundy color.
The plant comes in two variants; silver and crimson. The silver variant commonly called 'Argentea', is more common and has a silvery green center. The crimson variant is rarer and has a crimson-red center. Read on how to grow and care for Calathea picturata.
8. Calathea rufibarba (Furry Feather Calathea)
Calathea rufibarba commonly called Furry Feather Calathea or Velvet Calathea bears red stems and deep blue-green, elongated leaves with a dark-purple underside.
The common names, 'Furry Feather Calathea' and 'Velvet Calathea', are in reference to the tiny hairs that cover the waxy leaves and stems which give the plant a soft, velvety feel to the touch.
Calathea rufibarba (Furry Feather Calathea) is native to the tropical rainforests of Bahia state of northeastern Brazil. Read more on how to grow and care for Calathea rufibarba.
9. Calathea Medallion (Calathea veitchiana)
Calathea Medallion (Calathea veitchiana) is one of the easy-care Calathea plants which bears large, beautifully patterned leaves with purple undersides.
The top of the leaves can be green or purple with very magnificent patterns which make this plant ideal for adding a splash of color in any houseplant collection.
Calathea Medallion (Calathea veitchiana) grows to a height of about 2-3 ft and about 1-2 ft wide. Learn more on how to grow and care for Calathea Medallion.
10. Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica)
Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica) is a stunning plant which bears elliptical, bright-green leaves with distinctive white stripes and burgundy-purple undersides.
It is one of the outstanding Calathea plants that has become a popular houseplants as it will truly stand out in any houseplant collection.
Calathea vittata grows to a height of about 1-1.5 ft and about 1 ft wide. The plant is not grown for the flower and is unlikely to flower under room conditions. Read on how to grow and care for Calathea vittata.
11. Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet)
Calathea warscewiczii commonly called Calathea Jungle Velvet is a delightful plant which bears beautifully patterned leaves with purple-toned undersides and a velvety feel.
The common name, 'Calathea Jungle Velvet', is in reference to the beautiful velvety leaves which are borne on long stalks and arise from an underground rhizome.
Calathea warscewiczii (Calathea Jungle Velvet) may not be an easy-care plant but if the growing conditions are met, the plant is a gratifying addition to any houseplant collection. Learn how to grow and care for Calathea warscewiczii.
12. Calathea zebrina (Zebra Calathea)
Calathea zebrina or Zebra Calathea is a perennial plant whose large ovate leaves are dark-green above and reddish-purple below while the spines, veins and margins are a lime-green color.
Calathea zebrina which also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia zebrina is a member of the Marantaceae family. The species name, 'zebrina', is in reference to the zebra-like stripes appearance of the leaves.
Calathea zebrina (Goeppertia zebrina) grows in clumps to a height of about 2-3 ft. The leaves are about 1-2 ft long. Learn more on how to grow and care for Calathea zebrina.
13. Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant)
Calathea makoyana or Peacock Plant is a perennial plant with round, pale, glossy green leaves whose upper surface is marked with dark-green blotches along the veins while the undersides are coloured deep-purple.
Calathea makoyana also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia makoyana and is native to Espírito Santo state of eastern Brazil.
Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant) grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 ft. The common name, 'Peacock Plant', is in reference to the markings on the leaves which resemble the decorative tail feathers of a peacock.
14. Calathea ornata (Pin-stripe Calathea)
Calathea ornata commonly called Pin-stripe Calathea is a perennial plant with dark-green leaves with white or pink stripes and purple undersides.
Calathea ornata also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia ornata and is native to South America in Colombia and Venezuela.
Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant) grows in clumps to a height of about 2-3 ft and is one of the easier to grow Calathea plants.
15. Calathea orbifolia (Round-Leaf Calathea)
Calathea orbifolia sometimes called Round-leaf Calathea is one of the popular Calathea Plants which bears large round leaves whose surfaces is light-green with lighter-green variegation along the rib and margins.
Calathea orbifolia also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia orbifolia and is native to the northeast and southeast regions of Brazil.
Calathea orbifolia grows to a height of about 2-3 ft. It is one of the easy-care Calathea plants which requires medium, indirect light and moderately moist, free-draining soil.
16. Calathea lietzei (Calathea White Fusion)
Calathea White Fusion bears dark-green leaves with white, light pink, light green or silver-green variegation.
Calathea lietzei also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia lietzei and is native to the tropical regions of Brazil.
Calathea lietzei grows to a height of about 1-2 ft. It is one of the popular Calathea plants on account of its spectacular foliage which is sometimes compared to a painting.
