Types of calathea and prayer plants

Types of calathea and prayer plants

1. 01

   Pinstripe calathea (Goeppertia ornata)

   Look for fine pinkish-white lines across dark green, oval leaves, with purple underneath. The stripes are much finer than the broad bands on zebra calathea.

   Give it bright, indirect light and keep the mix moist with good drainage. It needs humid air, just like the other calatheas here.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

   Pinstripe calathea care guide

2. 02

   Peacock plant (Goeppertia makoyana)

   Peacock plant has thin, pale green to cream leaves with dark blotches and feather-like markings. The pattern repeats in reddish-purple on the underside.

   Keep its soil moist without making it soggy. NC State notes that both dry soil and low humidity can damage this type.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

   Peacock plant care guide

3. 03

   Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis)

   Rattlesnake plant, still sold as Calathea lancifolia, has long, narrow leaves with wavy edges. Alternating large and small dark spots sit on a light green background, with purple below.

   It needs the same moist, well-drained mix and humid air as pinstripe calathea. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

   Rattlesnake plant care guide

4. 04

   Orbifolia calathea (Goeppertia orbifolia)

   Orbifolia has broad, rounded leaves with silver-green stripes. The round shape separates it from the narrow-leaved rattlesnake plant.

   Its care follows the same warm, humid, indirect-light routine. Keep the pot draining freely rather than leaving the roots in water.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

   Orbifolia calathea care guide

5. 05

   Zebra calathea (Goeppertia zebrina)

   Zebra calathea has velvety dark green leaves with broad, light green bands along the veins. It is a different plant from the flowering zebra plant, Aphelandra squarrosa.

   It needs consistently humid air and moist, well-drained soil. Rainwater or distilled water can help avoid the leaf-tip damage NC State links to fluoride in tap water.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

6. 06

   Rose-painted calathea (Goeppertia roseopicta)

   Rose-painted calathea has glossy, oval leaves with pink or cream markings near the middle and edges. The underside is reddish-purple.

   Give it bright, indirect light and humid air. Its painted pattern does not call for a separate watering schedule from the other calatheas.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

7. 07

   Furry feather calathea (Goeppertia rufibarba)

   Furry feather has narrow green leaves with purple undersides and reddish hairs on the leaf stalks and undersides. Texture is the clue here, rather than bold spots or stripes.

   Despite its different appearance, it still needs moist, well-drained soil, indirect light and high humidity.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

8. 08

   Network plant (Goeppertia kegeljanii)

   Network plant has light green leaves crossed by many fine, dark green lines, forming a mosaic. The intricate grid sets it apart from the broad stripes on orbifolia.

   Grow it in indirect light with humid air and a moist, freely draining mix. It is another foliage calathea, not a succulent that needs long dry periods.

   Pet safety: non-toxic to cats and dogs.

9. 09

   Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

   Prayer plant is a related plant, not a ninth Goeppertia species. Maranta leuconeura has patterned oval leaves and a lower, spreading habit. Red-veined forms show red lines across green leaves.

   It also likes indirect light, humid air and moist soil. The shared common name ‘prayer plant’ does not make Maranta and Goeppertia the same genus.

   Pet safety: not confirmed for cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

   Prayer plant care guide

10. 10

    Why the label says calathea or Goeppertia

    Many familiar houseplant calatheas were moved into Goeppertia. Kew treats Calathea ornata as a synonym of Goeppertia ornata. Calathea still exists as a separate genus, so not every Calathea name should simply be changed to Goeppertia.

    ‘Prayer plant’ is a common name used for several members of the Marantaceae family. Check the scientific name as well as the leaf pattern when comparing labels.

11. 11

    Care differences between these calatheas

    The main differences here are leaf shape, pattern and texture. The RHS recommends bright, indirect light, warmth and humid air for calatheas. Keep the mix evenly moist during growth and reduce watering in winter as growth slows, without leaving the pot waterlogged.

    Check the pet-safety line beside each type. Maranta remains not confirmed here, even though it shares the prayer-plant name.

Common questions