Did you know that some indoor plants have native uses? The Calathea is a houseplant that, in addition to its contribution to the beautification of the environment, also offers native benefits. In some areas, Calathea is used for food packaging and is also used in crafts to produce containers.
This means that in addition to its aesthetic functions, it can also be a source of income.† An interesting plant, isn’t it?
The Calathea of the Marantaceae family is a houseplant with several varieties. These varieties vary in size, pattern and foliage.
Choosing a particular variety to propagate can be overwhelming and you may have struggled to identify the different varieties or maybe you are just curious about the different varieties and classifications regarding the attractiveness of the foliage appearance of the plant.
This article provides information on the different types of calatheatheir ranking in terms of attractiveness, how to identify them and tips for distributing them.
Contents
The Best Calathea Plant Varieties You Can Grow
In case you want to increase the most beautiful species of calatheaHere are the different types of Calathea in order of leaf appearance attractiveness.
1. Calathea Makoyana
It is one of the most beautiful species of Calathea. The foliage is lightly streaked with green, velvety or purple, sometimes silvery stripes. This species is sensitive to salt. Remember not to use chemical water when watering.
The most suitable water source for Calathea Makoyana is rainwater; in the absence of rainwater, distilled water can be used. Never use an aluminum pot or container when planting Calathea Makoyana, as harmful elements can seep into the soil. Your plant can be damaged by these harmful elements.
2. Calathea Roseopicta
Image: The gardenerIt is the Calathea species that looks like a work of art. The oval-shaped plant has wavy sides and the leaves have about four distinct markings. The plant is dominated by vegetation, although different shades of green, ranging from very dark green to light green. The patterns look like leaves and are very eye-catching.
Make sure your Calathea Roseopicta has enough space to receive plenty of sunlight, but indirect sunlight.
3. Calathea Rosey
Calathea Rosey belongs to the Calathea Roseopicta family. It is one of the most colorful Calathea species. This beautiful Calathea is decorated with green, cream and pink on top with the same leaf-like design as the Roseopicta. Below, the plant is purple. When growing this Calathea, use perforated pots to aid drainage; this helps prevent soggy dirt.
4. Calathea Roseopicta Dottie
This is similar to Calathea Roseopicta but darker than Roseopicta. The unique plant has a pink lining, unlike Calathea Roseopicta, which is dominated by greenery. When propagating Calathea Dottie, mist the leaves regularly to keep the foliage attractive and repel pests.
5. Calathea Ornata
The Calathea Ornata is called the striped plant; the plant has a beautiful pattern of fine colored stripes on the leaves. It is one of the most popular Calathea species. The stripes are usually white, pink or purple and sometimes have green stripes. When propagating this species, be sure to select an organic soil mix. Using peat moss provides the necessary organic mix for the houseplant.
6. Calathea ornata sanderina
It belongs to the Calathea Ornata family only the fine stripes are not as long as the Ornata. The stripes are usually cream colored and the underside is purple. The leaves usually have a shiny appearance and a skin-like texture. This plant thrives in bright but indirect sunlight. If you are growing outdoors, be sure to shade the plant.
7. Calathea lancifolia
The Calathea Lancifolia is marked with dark green spots and has therefore been nicknamed the rattlesnake plant. It is considered the rattlesnake plant due to the unique appearance of its leaves. The edges of Lancifolia are usually wavy and grow larger than other Calathea species. Besides being a favorite of Calathea growers, it is also known for its ease of propagation. Unlike other species of Calathea, it does not require much attention.
8. Calathea Rufibarba
The skin-like texture of the Calathea Rufibarba has earned it its nickname, the shaggy feather. This extremely wavy Calathea has a shiny burgundy underside, while the top is solid green. It is one of the most remarkable Calathea for its undulation.
9. Calathea Freddie
The Calathea Freddie is marked with a light green color cast. The pattern looks like a vein and appears dark green. This plant thrives in a low humidity environment and should be brought indoors for the winter or moved to a warmer location. Mist the plant regularly to provide moisture.
10. Calathea Warscewiczii
Image: Calathea WarscewicziiCalathea Warscewiczii is also known as Jungle Velvet. It grows in a lance shape and has bright green foliage. The beautiful light green pattern can be seen in the center of the plant and does not extend to the edge of the plant. Calathea Warscewiczii has a velvety or purple undercoat.
11. Calathea crocata
This is another attractive Calathea. The interesting thing about this calathea is that the look of the leaf is not as attractive as the flower it produces when the plant blooms. The flowers of Calathea Crocata give off an attractive bright yellow or orange color that sets it apart from other Calathea varieties. Unfortunately, this species is quite rare and may not be easy to find or propagate.
12. Calathea Zebrine
The zebra patterns of this Calathea make it a feast for the eyes. The dominant color is green, although different shades appear on the plant. When the plant blooms, the flowers are usually purple and white.
13. Fusion Calathea
The Calathea Fusion has a mixture of white and green and the underside is pink or purple. Due to the leaf’s appearance, pests may be attracted to it; fights pests when detected.
14. Calathea White Tiger
The white tiger has alternating wavy patterns of green and white. Make sure Calathea White Tiger gets enough water. The ground should not be dry or soggy. Stay away from excess water for a while to allow the root to recover.
Tips for your Calathea Soils
Here are some helpful tips for growing and caring for your calathea plants.
- Provide a low humidity environment for your Calathea.
- Place the plant where it can receive bright but indirect light.
- Water regularly, but make sure the soil is never soggy after watering. Your soil should always be moist after watering.
- When choosing fertilizers, use water-soluble fertilizers.
- Repot when the plant has outgrown its current container.
- Trim them if necessary. It ensures an even distribution of nutrients and helps eliminate dead parts of the plant. Also, sterilize all tools before pruning to prevent transmission of plant pests and diseases.
- Use organic soil for your potting mix.
- Use pots or containers with good drainage. Using perforated pots prevents the soil from becoming soggy. Remember never to use aluminum containers as they contain harmful elements that can leach into the ground.
- Mist Calathea comes out regularly.
- Control pests immediately to prevent damage to plants.
Final note:
Calatheas are beautiful houseplants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. To be a bit more stylish with your surroundings, you can combine different types of Calathea and your surroundings would be a sight to behold.
Read below:
- Prayer Plant: The Complete Guide to Growth and Care (2021)
- The Best Houseplant Fertilizers (How to Use Them)
- Philodendron vs Pothos: the difference explained
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): A Guide to Growth and Care
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Care and Propagation Guide