Calathea Varieties: 43 Stunning Types for Your Indoor Garden

Are you searching for a vibrant, pet-friendly houseplant that brings an instant pop of color and texture to your indoor garden? Look no further than Calatheas. Known for their striking foliage and variety of leaf patterns, Calatheas are a staple in houseplant collections worldwide. This comprehensive guide introduces 43 breathtaking Calathea varieties, offers practical care insights, and answers the most common questions to help your collection flourish.

Contents

• About Calathea and Recent Reclassification
• General Care Tips for Calathea
• 43 Popular Calathea Varieties
• How to Choose the Right Calathea
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About Calathea and Recent Reclassification

Calatheas belong to the Marantaceae family, alongside their close relatives, the Marantas. In recent years, many Calathea species have been reclassified into the Goeppertia genus. Despite this update, the term “Calathea” endures in plant nurseries, care guides, and among hobbyists. Both Calathea and Goeppertia species share dazzling foliage and are valued for their non-toxicity to pets, making them popular choices for indoor plant enthusiasts.

General Care Tips for Calathea

While Calathea plants are beloved for their beauty, they are sometimes considered challenging, particularly for beginners. However, with attention to a few essential needs, Calatheas can thrive indoors:

• Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch leaves or fade their patterns.
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Calatheas prefer distilled or rainwater to avoid brown leaf edges from tap water minerals.
• Humidity: High humidity (50%+) is essential for healthy, vibrant growth.
• Temperature: Maintain a range of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Avoid cold drafts.
• Soil: Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
• Feeding: Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced, diluted houseplant fertilizer.

Pro Tip: Regularly wiping leaves and rotating your Calathea ensures even growth and maximizes their ornamental appeal.

43 Popular Calathea Varieties

Below are 43 of the most popular and spectacular Calathea varieties, each with unique foliage patterns, colors, and growth habits. Whether you prefer bold stripes, deep greens, or pastel pinks, there’s a Calathea for every taste and space.

Rosy (Goeppertia roseopicta)

• Height: Up to 18 inches.
• Features: Broad leaves with bright pink centers and deep green edges.
• Notes: Previously rare; now widely available and highly sought after.

Dottie (Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Dottie’)

• Height: 12–18 inches.
• Features: Dark green leaves with bold magenta-pink lines and a pink central circle.

Medallion (Goeppertia veitchiana)

• Height: Up to 24 inches.
• Features: Large, round leaves with feathered white and green patterns and a purple underside.

Freddie (Goeppertia concinna)

• Height: 12–24 inches.
• Features: Sleek, elongated leaves with light green streaks and pronounced dark green herringbone markings.

Ornata (Goeppertia ornata)

• Height: 18–24 inches.
• Features: Shimmering dark green leaves adorned with delicate pink or white pinstripes. Leaf undersides display a deep purple hue.

White Fusion (Goeppertia leitzei)

• Height: 12–18 inches.
• Features: Swirls of green, white, and lavender variegation on wavy, slender leaves.

Lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant, Goeppertia lancifolia)

• Height: Up to 30 inches.
• Features: Long, narrow, wavy-edged leaves with dark green markings resembling rattlesnake patterns and purple undersides.

Maui Queen (Goeppertia louisae ‘Maui Queen’)

• Height: 24–36 inches.
• Features: Dark green leaves and a dramatic feather-like white pattern at the midrib.

Picturata (Goeppertia picturata)

• Height: Up to 24 inches.
• Features: Silvery green central leaf coloring framed by deep green borders. Purple leaf undersides.

White Star (Goeppertia majestica)

• Height: Up to 5 feet.
• Features: Light green foliage streaked with white and dark green striping, purple-red leaf backs. Leaves curl at night.

Brazilian Star (Goeppertia burle-marxii / Pink Star)

• Height: 12–24 inches.
• Features: Elongated leaves with star-shaped white or pink flowers. Light green foliage.

Vittata (Goeppertia elliptica ‘Vittata’)

• Height: 18 inches.
• Features: Slim, elliptical leaves marked with sharp white striping over bright green backgrounds.

Setosa (Never Never Plant, Goeppertia setosa)

• Height: 36–84 inches.
• Features: Large, lush leaves with soft gray-white stripes framing deep veins. Can grow taller than most Calatheas.

Other Noteworthy Varieties

• Makoyana (Peacock Plant): Oval leaves with deep green spots and feathery patterns.
• Rufibarba: Long, wavy-edged, dark green leaves with rich purple undersides and a soft, velvety texture.
• Network: Network-like mosaic patterns of light and dark green.
• Fusion White: Striking white and green marbled pattern.
• Misto: Speckled, silvery-green foliage with a bushy growth habit.
• Louisae: Wide leaves with a subtle blend of various green hues and a soft midrib highlight.
• Corona: Circular leaves with a pale white/silver center and green border.
• Beauty Star: Narrow, pointed leaves featuring light green and silver stripes radiating outwards.
• Medallion II: Similar to the Medallion but with a slightly smaller size and more pronounced white markings.
• Silvia: Silver-green leaves with slightly darker midribs and subtle patterning.
• Dottie Rose: A ‘Dottie’ cultivar with an even more vibrant pink central circle.
• Illustris: Wavy, deep green leaves with prominent central veins.
• Flamestar: Compact rosette plants with bright green and golden-yellow gradient patterns.
• Yellow Fusion: A rare variety with yellow-painted variegation.
• Moonlight: Pale green-silver leaves that have a faint moonlit appearance.
• Stella: Small, star-shaped leaves with radiating light stripes.
• Triostar: Three-colored foliage of white, pink, and green hushed together.
• Lutea: Large, lush green leaves, slightly lighter in color, and very robust growth.
• Orbifolia: Massive round leaves, with silvery and light green rings, perfect for statement pieces.

Calathea Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Calathea

Selecting your ideal Calathea comes down to picking leaf shapes, patterns, and colors that resonate with your personal decor. Follow these tips for selection:

• Match the plant size to your available space: Miniature Calatheas suit desktops, while large types like White Star become dramatic floor specimens.
• Prioritize your light and humidity levels: Select hardier varieties, like Rattlesnake or Freddie, for less-than-ideal conditions.
• Don’t be afraid of color: Calatheas offer pinks, purples, greens, and silvers, often on a single leaf.
• Check your local plant stores and online nurseries: Availability varies by region and popularity. Rare cultivars may require some hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Calathea plants pet-safe?

A: Yes! Calathea are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a top choice for homes with pets.

Q: Why are the leaf edges of my Calathea turning brown?

A: Common culprits include low humidity, over- or under-watering, and the minerals in tap water. Increase humidity, use distilled water, and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to address this issue.

Q: How often should I water my Calathea?

A: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistency is key—avoid letting the plant dry out completely or sit in waterlogged soil.

Q: Why do Calathea leaves move?

A: Calatheas are known as “prayer plants” because their leaves fold up at night and spread out during the day, a movement called nyctinasty. This adaptation helps protect them from excess sunlight and nighttime moisture loss.

Q: Can Calatheas flower indoors?

A: Some Calatheas, like the Brazilian Star or Setosa, may produce small, modest flowers indoors under optimal conditions, but their main attraction is always the foliage.

Conclusion

With their incredible diversity and dazzling foliage, Calathea plants offer a rewarding challenge for any plant collector. Whether you’re drawn to the bold stripes of Ornata, the subtle shimmer of White Fusion, or the dramatic circles of Medallion, there’s a Calathea variety for every indoor gardener. Remember to match the care to the plant’s needs—adequate humidity, indirect light, and careful watering are the keys to lush, radiant Calathea leaves all year round.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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