Calathea Plants, Species and Cultivars

Calathea are another of the 'ornamental gingers' these are from tropical Central and South America vary in both size and form. Grown for the foliage as well as the flowers Calathea lancifolia is widely used as an indoor plant , long lime green leaves with darker green patterns and an interesting undulating or wavy edge. The underside of the foliage is a deep burgundy red. Will reach around 1m. Filtered light and a warm position indoors, keep moist but not wet. Calathea roseo picta hase large rounded foliage but with the same contrasting light and dark green foliage.

Used as ground cover plants in tropical areas and as house plants elsewhere, mainly for the colorful foliage Calathes species such as Calathea zebrina with its two tone green striped foliage and Calathea orbifolia with its large rounded leaves are both popular species.

Calathea zebrina is aptly named dark green foliage with paler green viens. Not all have such colourful foliage Calathea ornate has large glossy green leaves. Calathea burle-marxii can handle cooler conditions than many, slow growing and rare in cultivation for this reason, it does have lovely pale blue to white flowers. Calathea ornata is another with wonderful deep red underside to the foliage, green with a light green / pink stripe.