18 Calathea Types & Varieties: Discover the Waxy and Upright-Leafed Genus

Calathea type selection can be stressful considering how beautiful they all are. Luckily, the Calathea genus is filled with stunning plants that are very easy to grow.

To help you make the right choice of which Calathea to grow, here are 18 ornate and easy types that you can choose from the Marantaceae family.

Types of Calathea Plants (Varieties)

1. Prayer Plant (Calathea Orbifolia)

This is a striking Calathea plant. It is large and native to Bolivia and other nearby countries. You can identify this plant by its characteristic green-striped leaves. As an indoor plant, it does not grow very big. To really enjoy the look of Calathea orbifolia, grow it in a white pot.

• Size: If allowed to grow without pruning, this plant can reach 3 feet tall (90 centimeters) and 2 feet (60 centimeter) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Zones 5 and above are suitable for the orbifolia calathea. The optimal temperature is 65–75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Grow your plant in 60 percent humidity or higher.
• Light: While the leaves can get greener and shinier with more light exposure, do not grow the plant too close to a window so that it does not get sunburn.
• Soil: The substrate should be slightly acidic. Make use of a general-purpose potting mix.
• Watering: Make sure that the substrate is always slightly-moist.

2. Peacock Plant (Calathea Makoyana)

This beautiful peacock Calathea is native to the forests of Brazil. Its leaves are green and purplish-red. The most eye-catching feature of this plant is the white frame or edge of its leaves. Calathea Makoyana is not toxic to kids and pets, so you can grow as many as you want indoors.

• Size: The Peacock Calathea can grow to reach 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall. The leaves can reach 10–12 inches (25–30 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the peacock plant at 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (26–24 degrees Celsius). Zones 4 and above can support the plant.
• Humidity: As long as the humidity is above average, the plant will grow just fine.
• Light: This plant requires bright but indirect light. This means that you should filter the sunlight.
• Soil: Amend soil with perlite or make use of a general-purpose potting mix.
• Watering: Wait until the surface is dry before you water your Peacock Calathea.

3. Rose-Painted Calathea (Goeppertia Roseopicta)

This beautiful Rose-Painted plant is native to Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is characterized by its dark green or purple feathery leaves that turn white as they age.

The underside of the leaves has a flashy red-purple coloration. Even more fun is that the plant folds up at night. Additionally, due to some features, the Rose-Painted Calathea is now known as the Goeppertia Roseopicta and no longer Calathea Roseopicta.

• Size: It does not grow as large as other calatheas. However, it can grow more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: The optimal temperature to grow this plant is 65–75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius). The temperature should never go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celcius). 
• Humidity: The plant loves 75–90 percent humidity, but can tolerate 50–60.
• Light: Shade the plant from the hot sun of summer.
• Soil: The ideal soil can retain moisture yet is well-drained. Supplement the soil with vermiculite and perlite.
• Watering: The soil should stay moist.

 4. Pinstripe Plant (Calathea Ornata)

This Pinstripe Calathea has oval, vibrantly-colored green leaves with patterns of white markings. The plant is native to Africa, the West Indies, Central America, Thailand, and South America. Remember to keep your plant some feet away from the window so that it does not get sunburned.

• Size: It can grow to reach 2 feet (60 centimeters) in height and 2 feet (60 centimeters) in width.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: You want to grow your pinstripe plant at 65–85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius). You can grow it in zones 5 and above.
• Humidity: The plant needs 60 percent humidity or more to grow optimally.
• Light: Ensure that the plant gets at least four hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil: Make use of peat-based potting soil when growing the pinstripe plant.
• Watering: Water the plant regularly so that the substrate is always moist.

5. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea Lancifolia)

Due to some features, the rattlesnake plant is now known as the Goeppertia Insignis. It is native to Brazil and is characterized by its eye-catching tall leaves with dark grey oval markings. The underside of the leaves is purple-red. This beautiful plant produces little yellow flowers in spring.

• Size: As a houseplant, the pinstripe Calathea can reach 20 inches (50 centimeters) tall and 9–18 inches (23–46 centimteres) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant in zones 11–12b and at 60–75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Use a humidifier to maintain 70 percent humidity for the plant.
• Light: This plant needs partial sunlight. Take it a few feet away from the window.
• Soil: It should grow in a neutral or slightly-acidic potting mix.
• Watering: Wait until 2–3 inches (5–8 centimeters) of the substrate is dry before you water your plant.

6. Furry Feather Calathea (Calathea Rufibarba)

This Calathea is one that has a Fuzzy underside of its leaves. The long wavy leaves with long petioles are light green when they are young then they turn dark green, especially on their upper side when they mature. This non-toxic Calathea is native to the Amazon rainforest.

• Size: It grows beyond 23 inches (59 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow your feathers in temperatures between 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit (18–23 degrees Celsius) for optimal growth.
• Humidity: The humidity levels should be around 70 percent.
• Light: It prefers a shaded location, so you can keep it at a spot just beside the window. Try to rotate the pot occasionally.
• Soil: The potting mix should be mid-weight. Amend a general-purpose potting mix with compost.
• Watering: Water your plant two to three times weekly in the active growing season.

7. Network Plant (Calathea Musaica)

Here is a plant with beauty to catch people’s attention. The leaves are thick, waxy and green with yellow spots.

The yellow spots on the leaves resemble how books are arranged in a library. This plant is native to Brazil.When growing the network plant, beware of pests such as thrips, spider mites, scale, mealybugs, and fungus gnats.

• Size: The beautiful network plant can grow to reach 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall and 2–3 feet (60–90 centimeters) wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: So long as the plant is growing at 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius), it will grow quickly. Grow the plant in zones 8 and above.
• Humidity: Grow your network plant at 50–80 percent humidity.
• Light: The light in the room should be bright but indirect.
• Soil: You can make use of a general-purpose substrate for this plant.
• Watering: Water your network plant so that the substrate is always slightly moist.

8. Eternal Flame (Calathea Crocata)

Here is a very beautiful plant with yellow flowers that have very long stalks. The leaves are dark purple or green and the plant looks like a dark flame. Due to some unique features from other Calatheas, the Eternal Flame plant is now called Goeppertia Crocata. 

• Size: The flame plant can grow to reach 1–2 feet (30–60 centimeters) tall. Its flower stalk can reach 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: The optimal temperature for this plant is 65–80 degrees Fahrenheit (18–27 degrees Celsius). So, as long as you live in warm regions, you can grow the plant just fine.
• Humidity: This plant grows well so long as the humidity levels are above average.
• Light: You can place the pot of this plant on any windowsill except the south-facing windows.
• Soil: The potting mix should be lightweight and very nutritious. You can achieve this by using a peat-based substrate.
• Watering: Wait until some inches of the substrate’s surface is dry before you water the plant again.

 

9. Velvet Touch (Calathea Warscewiczii)

The Velvet Calathea is one with large green leaves. The leaves have a purple underside and are characterized by their white veins. The plant has a long petiole for each leaf. Why not grow this beautiful tropical plant which is now called the Goeppertia Warscewiczii?

• Size: This plant grows to reach 3-4 feet (90–120 centimeters) tall and wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant at 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius). You can grow it in zones 8 and above.
• Humidity: The humidity levels should be 55–65 percent for optimal growth.
• Light: The light should be bright-to-medium. Expose the plant to four to six hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil: Suitable substrate for this plant is made of two-part peat/coir and one-part perlite. You can also add organic materials for nutrition.
• Watering: This Calathea requires you to water it before the substrate starts to dry up. Just ensure that the substrate is well-drained.

10. Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina)

As the name implies, the plant has stripes on its leaves. The dark-green leaves have yellow or cream stripes on them, making a beautiful pattern. This plant is native to Southeastern Brazil. Remember to grow the plant in a spot that is warm and humid.

• Size: The plant has leaves that can grow 12 inches (30 centimeters) long. This plant can grow 2 feet wide and tall (60 centimeters).
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow your zebra plant at 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius). Make sure that you live in zones 8 and above.
• Humidity: The ideal spot for this plant is one that has more than 60 percent humidity.
• Light: Do not expose the plant to sunlight for more than six hours so that it does not get sunburned.
• Soil: Supplement general-purpose substrate with more vermiculite so that it can hold more moisture.
• Watering: Ensure that there is always moisture in the substrate.

11. Thai Beauty (Calathea Louisae)

This Calathea plant which is native to Asia and South America has large green leaves. The leaves have green edges and light green feather-like centers. They have medium-length petioles. Due to some features of this plant, it is now known as the Goeppertia :ouisae.

• Size: The plant can grow up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) tall and grow 8 inches (20 centimeter) long leaves.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow this plant in USDA hardiness zones 8 and above. For optimal growth, grow it at 65–80 degrees Fahrenheit (18–27 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: The Calathea plant grows best at high levels of humidity. The humidity must be above average.
• Light: You can grow it beside a shade cloth so that you do not burn its leaves.
• Soil: The substrate should be slightly acidic. You can make use of a general-purpose potting mix.
• Watering: Water the plant every two to three days.

12. Cuban Cigar (Calathea Lutea)

The Cuban Cigar plant has thick upright leaves that resemble short banana leaves. The plant has long petioles carrying the leaves and its white flowers. Please note that the leaves of the Cuban cigar are toxic. Do not allow pets and kids to eat them.

• Size: This plant can grow to reach 4–13 feet (1.2–9.9 meters) tall, especially if you do not prune it occasionally.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: The ideal temperature for optimal growth is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18–27 degrees Celsius). Grow the plant in zones 9 and above.
• Humidity: Grow the Cuban cigar at 50–70 percent humidity.
• Light: Place the pot 3–4 feet (90–120 centimeter) away from a south-facing window.
• Soil: The substrate should be rich in organic matter. It can be neutral or slightly acidic.
• Watering: Water the plant once or twice weekly. Wait until the substrate starts to dry out before you water.

13. Shadow Calathea (Calathea Leopardina)

The shadow Calathea plant is an evergreen plant that is native to South America (Brazil). It grows green and has long leaves that have patches of cream or yellow in their middle. This beautiful shadow plant closes its leaves at night.

• Size: The shadow plant grows to reach 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall and wide.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant at 65–85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Like other calatheas, grow the plant at high humidity. It prefers 70–90 percent humidity.
• Light: The shadow plant can tolerate low light, but it grows best when it has at least five hours of light daily.
• Soil: The ideal substrate for this plant is loose, airy and has a pH of 6–7.5.
• Watering: Water it occasionally, once or twice weekly according to the season.

14. Calathea Fasciata

 This Calathea has round leaves that can be light or dark green. The leaves have white, yellow or cream stripes within them, but the stripes do not reach the leaf edges. The plant has purple petioles and leaf undersides. To complement the beauty of this calathea, grow it in a black pot.

• Size: The Fasciata plant can reach 7–25 inches (18–63 centimeters) in height. Its leaves are 2 inches (5 centimeter) wide and 2–2.5 inches (5–6 centimeter) long.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: This plant can tolerate 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The maximum temperature for it is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: The humidity level for this plant is 60 percent and above.
• Light: Grow it in a room with bright but indirect light.
• Soil: Any general-purpose commercial potting mix can work for this plant.
• Watering: The soil should be consistently moist .

15. Albert’s Prayer Plant (Calathea Albertii)

This is a dwarf perennial rhizomatous plant with clumping leaves. The leaves are shiny and dark green when maure. This Albert’s Prayer plant grows little white flowers. The leaves of the Prayer plant are waxy and strong.

• Size: The leaves of this plant can reach 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. The plant itself can reach 2 feet tall (60 centimeters). 
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the prayer plant at 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit (16–29 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: 70–75 percent humidity is best for this plant.
• Light: The room should have medium to bright light.
• Soil: The substrate should be rich in nutrients. It should be peat-based.
• Watering: Do not wait until the substrate is dry before you water the plant.

16. Rattle Shaker (Calathea Crotalifera)

This beautiful Calathea is native to Mexico and other Central and South American countries. Its flower is yellow and looks like the rattle of a rattlesnake. The leaves grow in clumps and have very long petioles. Grow it in a large pot because of its large underground stem. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

• Size: The rattle shaker plant can reach 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall if you do not prune it. Its leaves are 6 inches (15 centimeters) long.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow this plant in zones 8 and above. The ideal temperature is 65–75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Grow the rattle shaker at 60 percent humidity or higher.
• Light: Grow it beside a shade cloth so that the sun is diffused.
• Soil: Rattle shakers love organically rich soil. Supplement the soil with compost.
• Watering: The substrate of this plant should be consistently moist.

17. Calathea Picturata

This is a spectacularly beautiful Calathea with leaves that have light green centers and dark green or purple edges. It is an evergreen plant native to northwest Brazil. You should occasionally fertilize this Calathea with a balanced fertilizer.

• Size: It will grow to reach 13–16 inches (33–40 centimeter) in height.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: 65–85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius) is best for this Calathea. Grow it in zones 9 and above.
• Humidity: 50–70 percent humidity is ideal for the picturata plant.
• Light: If you want the leaves to turn purple, expose them to five to seven hours of light daily.
• Soil: For extra nutrition, amend a general-purpose substrate with worm casting.
• Watering: Always water the soil so that it never gets dry.

18. Calathea Bachemiana

 This Calathea has leaves with stripes of dark green and light green. The plant has long petioles and is native to countries in South America. Beware of pests such as mealybugs, fungus gnats and spider mites.

• Size: It can grow to reach 2 feet (30 centimeters) tall.
• Temperature and USDA hardiness zone: Grow the plant at 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18–29 degrees Celsius).
• Humidity: Using a humidifier, maintain above 70 percent levels of humidity for the plant.
• Light: can tolerate low indirect light.
• Soil: The soil should be well-drained like that of other Calatheas.
• Watering: Water this Calathea once every one or two weeks. Allow the soil to dry first.

Conclusion

The Calathea genus is prized by a lot of indoor plant growers as its variants are very suitable for indoor planting. This genus has very beautiful plants like the Calathea white fusion, beauty star, and white star.

Calathea varieties such as peacock plant, pinstripe plant and rattlesnake plant are very beautiful, so you want to consider starting with them. All these plants are almost too beautiful to choose from. Which one would you like to grow?