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Calathea Calathea picturata

Previously known as:

  • Goeppertia picturata
Phonetic Spelling
ka-LAH-thee-uh pik-tur-AY-tuh
Description

Calathea picturata is a evergreen herbaceous perennial that forms 14 to 16 inch high clumps of dramatically colored leaves and is typically grown as a houseplant. The leaves are dark green above, purple below, with silver-colored veins and midriff. As a member of the "prayer plant" family, it may open and close its leaves in response to light and darkness. The plant is not tolerant of temperatures below 61 degrees F, thus it is typically grown indoors under medium to bright indirect light. The Calathea picturata is known for the intense color in the center of its leaves surrounded by a band of green. This plant can require more that the usual care for houseplants

If grown in the garden, Calathea prefers moisture and shade, similar to conditions in its native Brazil. When grown as a house plant, keep the plant moist by spraying the leaves several times a week. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, it prefers well drained potting soil with peat moss and light applications of a diluted fertilizer during the growing season. Propagation is by root division. Water with soft water and maintain a uniform high humidity and temperature.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known problems. The plant's watering requirements can be hard to gauge. As a rule of thumb, yellow leaves indicate over watering while leaves curling in on themselves indicates under watering. It can be sensitive to fluoride, so filtered water may be best.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Argentea'
    silvery green leaves with dark green margins, the underside of the leaf is red to plum
  • 'Crimson'
    the leaf center is deep pink and the border is deep green to black
  • 'Vandenheckei'
    dark green leaves with streaks of white and yellow at the leaf edges and along the midrib
'Argentea', 'Crimson', 'Vandenheckei'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#attractive leaves#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Argentea'
    silvery green leaves with dark green margins, the underside of the leaf is red to plum
  • 'Crimson'
    the leaf center is deep pink and the border is deep green to black
  • 'Vandenheckei'
    dark green leaves with streaks of white and yellow at the leaf edges and along the midrib
'Argentea', 'Crimson', 'Vandenheckei'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#attractive leaves#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Calathea
    Species:
    picturata
    Family:
    Marantaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northwest Brazil
    Distribution:
    Introduced into Columbia and Peru.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Calathea do bloom in the wild, but they tend not to bloom much indoors.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Evergreen clumping houseplant. Variegated leaves are dark green above and purple below with silver silver-colored veins and midriff. The crimson variety has pink centered leaves with green-black borders.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent