Calathea Orbifolia
Goeppertia orbifolia
📖 About this plant
A stunning prayer plant relative prized for its large, round leaves adorned with elegant silvery-green stripes that follow the leaf margins. The undersides are pale green with a pinkish tinge. Like other Calatheas, its leaves fold upward at night (nyctinasty) and unfold in the morning. A showstopper plant that demands high humidity and distilled or filtered water — sensitive to fluoride and minerals in tap water.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Medium indirect
Every 1-2 weeks
High (60-80%)
18-26°C
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite and orchid bark; must retain even moisture
Balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2 weeks during growing season; stop in winter
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Bolivia, South America
- 📏 Max height
- 60-90 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 60-90 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Rarely indoors
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Green
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Silver-Green, Striped
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — completely safe for all households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of root clumps during repotting in spring; division is the only reliable method
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — completely safe for all households
Common issues
- Brown crispy leaf edges from low humidity, Curling leaves from underwatering, Fading leaf patterns in direct sun
💡 Care tips
- Prayer plant relative that folds leaves at night,Use filtered water as tap water causes brown edges,Mist regularly or use a pebble tray for humidity,Avoid direct sun which fades the leaf markings
