Calathea

Calathea (Syn. Goeppertia) is a genus of plants belonging to the family Marantaceae. There are several dozen species in this genus. Native to the tropical Americas, many of the species are popular as pot plants due to their decorative leaves and, in some species, colorful inflorescences. They are commonly called calatheas or (like their relatives) prayer plants.

Calathea
rattlesnake plant (C. lancifolia)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Marantaceae
Genus:	Calathea G.Mey.
Species
Numerous, see text
Synonyms[1]
Endocodon Raf. Goeppertia Nees Monostiche Körn. Psydaranta Neck. ex Raf. Thymocarpus Nicolson, Steyerm. & Sivad. Zelmira Raf.

Cultivars

The genus Calathea is expansive and is not short of many cultivars. Each cultivar is unique in the way it looks but they all require the same care. Cultivars include:

• Calathea 'Beauty Star'
• Calathea roseopicta 'Corona'
• Calathea roseopicta 'Dottie'
• Calathea 'Eclipse'
• Calathea 'Freddie'
• Calathea roseopicta 'Medallion'
• Calathea 'Misto'[2]

Native uses

In its native range, the large and tough leaves are popular for holding small items. Sometimes, they are used unprocessed, e.g. to wrap fish for transport in parts of Brazil, such as the Benevides region of Pará. In other places, the leaves are used in handicraft to produce containers, such as the quivers of the Nukak people of Colombia. Most famous, perhaps, are the decorative Calathea-leaf rice containers produced in some villages of Thailand, especially in Ban Huak (Amphoe Si Bun Rueang) where they are an important source of income and sold to locals and tourists alike.

Calathea foliage is of importance to some herbivores, such as the caterpillars of the purple owl (Caligo beltrao) which feed on C. zebrina. For a list of Calathea diseases, see List of foliage plant diseases (Maranthaceae).

Due to habitat destruction, several species are threatened with extinction.

Cultivation

Since Calatheas are native to tropical lands, their care is a bit different. Like the shady floors of the tropical canopies, this genus prefers low to medium light.[2] Too much direct sunlight can damage their fragile leaves. Signs of too much sun exposure may result in sunburn or dullness in the color of the leaves.[2] Along with light preferences, these plants require high humidity to mimic their natural habitat.[2] Though, high humidity does not necessarily equate to a lot of water. Calatheas should be kept moist, but not wet. Over or under watering these finicky plants can lead to brown dry leaves. With tropical plants, temperature is a very important part. Calatheas prefer temperatures 60° F / 15°C and above to support healthy growth.[3] In ample conditions, Calatheas can grow up to three feet in height with wide leaves.[2] Though they are slow growers, once they reach their ultimate height they will stop growing.[3]

Growing medium

Since Calatheas are susceptible to many outside factors, it is important to have them in the right soil. Ideal soil conditions for Calathea should be porous and well draining.[3] Drainage is very important for Calatheas due to root rot. Root rot is a common problem with many house plants that do not have effective drainage which ultimately kills the plant. A light porous soil will ensure that the plant's delicate root system is not "drowning".

Houseplants

A flower from a wild Calathea marantifolia

Over the years, Calatheas have become a very popular houseplant[4] because their attractive leaves grab the attention of many plant owners. With so many species to chose from (Calathea lancifolia, Calathea ornata, Calathea orbifolia, Calathea makoyana,[4] and many more) it has become one of the most popular houseplants to own. When growing Calatheas indoors, even some of the most experienced plant owners find them difficult. That is why it is important to be mindful of where they are native from and what care they require. Unlike their wild counterparts, many if not most indoor-kept Calathea will not flower.[4] When choosing the right pot for a Calathea, it is important to be mindful that they do not like to be kept too wet for too long. A pot with a wide drainage hole and porous soil is ideal.

Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating an offspring of a plant through a mother plant.[5] A very common way of propagation is through taking a cutting of a plant that exposes a node. Unlike Philodendrons or Pothos who can propagate from just cuttings, Calathea achieve propagation through division.[4] In order to successfully propagate a Calathea, one needs to have a healthy established mother plant. Calatheas shoot out new leaves all the time that are waiting to unfurl their beauty. Therefore, upon un-potting a mother plant it is evident that you can gently separate the plant into smaller parts.[4] Once the Calathea has been successfully divided, each new grouping needs to be potting in its own (well draining) pot. The newly established Calathea will soon shoot out new leaves and continue to grow.

Foliage

Calathea makoyana

When looking at a Calathea's leaves, it's hard to ignore their unique patterns and colors. Each different species bears its own unique design with a deep Burgundy color on the underneath of the foliage. Besides the look of their stunning leaves, their leaves play a different role as well. During the night, their leaves will fold up.[6] In the morning hour, their leaves will unfurl in search of the morning sun. This phenomenon is made possible by a small "joint"[6] the plant possesses between the stem and leaf.

Species

• Calathea aberrans Huber (1906) = Calathea pachystachya (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1862)
• Calathea achira (Poepp. & Endl.) Petersen (1890) = Calathea capitata (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl. (1829)
• Calathea albertii
• Calathea albicans Brongn. ex Gris (1859) = Calathea micans (L.Mathieu) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea allouia var. violacea (Roscoe) Woodson (1942) = Calathea violacea (Roscoe) Lindl.(1834)
• Calathea allouia – Leren
• Calathea altissima
• Calathea amplissima Petersen (1890) = Calathea ovata (Nees & Mart.) Lindl. (1829)
• Calathea anulque
• Calathea arrecta Lindl. & André (1871) = Calathea ornata (Linden) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea bambusacea Poepp. & Endl. (1838) = Ischnosiphon gracilis subsp. gracilis
• Calathea bantae H.A.Kenn
• Calathea barbillana Cufod. (1932) = Calathea inocephala (Kuntze) T.Durand & B.D.Jacks. (1902)
• Calathea bella
• Calathea bicolor (Ker Gawl.) Steud. (1840) = Maranta cristata Nees & Mart. (1823)
• Calathea binotii Gentil (1932) = Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl. (1829)
• Calathea bullii K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea warszewiczii (L.Mathieu ex Planch.) Planch. & Linden (1855)
• Calathea burle-marxii
• Calathea cachibou (Jacq.) Lindl. ex Horan. (1862) = Calathea lutea (Aubl.) E.Mey. ex Schult. (1822): known in Guatemala as "maxan" and used to wrap tamales
• Calathea cardiophylla K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea bella (W.Bull) Regel (1879)
• Calathea chimboracensis
• Calathea chlorosticta Regel (1879) = Calathea angustifolia Körn. (1858)
• Calathea composita Klotzsch (1849) = Monotagma spicatum (Aubl.) J.F.Macbr. (1931)
• Calathea conferta Benth. (1883) = Marantochloa conferta (Benth.) A.C.Ley (2011)
• Calathea congesta
• Calathea contamanensis Huber (1906) = Calathea sanderiana (Sander) Gentil (1907)
• Calathea contrafenestra

Calathea crocata inflorescence

• Calathea crocata E.Morren & Joriss.: "eternal flame"
• Calathea crotalifera
• Calathea curaraya
• Calathea cylindrica
• Calathea dasycarpa Donn.Sm. (1901) = Ctenanthe dasycarpa (Donn.Sm.) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea discolor G.Mey. (1818) = Calathea lutea (Aubl.) E.Mey. ex Schult. (1822)
• Calathea discolor G.Mey. ex Eggers (1893), nom. illeg. unplaced name
• Calathea dodsonii
• Calathea dubia (Roem. & Schult.) Lindl. (1829) = Monotagma spicatum (Aubl.) J.F.Macbr. (1931)
• Calathea duidae Steyerm. (1951) = Calathea fragilis Gleason (1929)
• Calathea ecuadoriana
• Calathea elegans

Calathea warscewiczii

• Calathea elliptica (Roscoe) K.Schum. is an accepted name
• Calathea fasciculata C.Presl (1827) = Phrynium fasciculatum (C.Presl) Horan. (1862)
• Calathea gandersii
• Calathea gigas Gagnep. (1903) = Calathea majestica (Linden) H.A.Kenn. (1986)
• Calathea glaziovii Petersen (1890), nom. illeg. = Calathea albertii (Pynaert & Van Geert) L.H.Bailey & Raffill (1914)
• Calathea gouletii Stapf, (1906) = Calathea picturata K.Koch & Linden (1863)
• Calathea gracilis Petersen (1889) = Calathea widgrenii Körn. (1862)
• Calathea grandiflora (Roscoe) K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea flavescens Lindl. (1825)
• Calathea grandifolia Lindl. (1829) = Calathea villosa (Lodd. ex G.Don) Lindl. (1834)
• Calathea hagbergii
• Calathea hookeri (Hook.) Eichler (1884)= Calathea colorata (Hook.) Benth. (1883)
• Calathea illustris (Linden) N.E.Br. (1882) = Calathea roseopicta (Linden) Regel (1869)
• Calathea illustris M.P.Corrêa (1926), nom. illeg. unplaced name
• Calathea imperialis (Burgerstein & Abel) L.H.Bailey (1914) = Calathea majestica (Linden) H.A.Kenn. (1986)
• Calathea insignis Petersen (1890) = Calathea crotalifera S.Watson (1889)
• Calathea insignis Petersen ex Eggers (1893), nom. illeg. = Calathea crotalifera S.Watson (1889)
• Calathea insignis W.Bull (1905), nom. illeg. = Calathea lancifolia Boom (1905): "rattlesnake plant"
• Calathea ischnosiphonoides
• Calathea juncea Spreng. (1824) = Ischnosiphon arouma (Aubl.) Körn. (1859)
• Calathea kerchoveana Gentil (1907) = Maranta cristata Nees & Mart. (1823)
• Calathea klugii J.F.Macbr. (1931) = Calathea micans (L.Mathieu) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea koernickeana Regel (1874), nom. illeg. = Calathea variegata (K.Koch) Linden ex Körn. (1858)
• Calathea lagunae Woodson (1942) = Calathea marantifolia Standl. (1927)
• Calathea lanceolata Körn. (1862) = Calathea latifolia (Willd. ex Link) Klotzsch (1849)
• Calathea lancifolia Boom – rattlesnake plant
• Calathea lanicaulis
• Calathea lasiostachya var. minor Cufod. (1932) = Calathea lasiostachya Donn.Sm. (1901)
• Calathea latrinotecta
• Calathea laxa Poepp. & Endl. (1838) = Monotagma laxum (Poepp. & Endl.) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea lehmannii K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea chimboracensis (Linden) Linden (1870)
• Calathea leopardina (W.Bull) Regel (1877) = Calathea concinna (W.Bull) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea leopardina var. concinna (W.Bull) Regel (1877), nom. superfl. = Calathea concinna (W.Bull) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea leucocephala D.Dietr. (1839) = Ischnosiphon leucophaeus subsp. leucophaeus
• Calathea leuconeura (E.Morren) G.Nicholson (1884) = Maranta leuconeura E.Morren (1874)
• Calathea leucophaea Poepp. & Endl. (1838) = Ischnosiphon leucophaeus (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1859)
• Calathea libbyana
• Calathea lietzei E.Morren (1875) = Maranta lietzei (E.Morren) C.H.Nelson, Sutherl. & Fern.Casas (1998)
• Calathea lindenii Wallis & André (1871) = Calathea lindeniana Wallis (1866)
• Calathea loeseneri
• Calathea longifolia (Schauer) Klotzsch ex Körn. (1862) = Calathea macilenta Lindl. (1829)
• Calathea louisae
• Calathea lutea – known in Guatemala as "maxan" and used to wrap tamales
• Calathea macrochlamys Woodson & Standl. (1940) = Stromanthe macrochlamys (Woodson & Standl.) H.A.Kenn. & Nicolson (1987)
• Calathea macrosepala var. reflexa H.A.Kenn. (1978) = Calathea macrosepala K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea macrostachya Griseb. (1879), nom. illeg. = Thalia multiflora Horkel ex Körn. (1862)
• Calathea macrostachya Klotzsch (1849) = Ischnosiphon obliquus (Rudge) Körn. (1859)
• Calathea magnifica C.V.Morton & Skutch (1930) = Calathea lutea (Aubl.) E.Mey. ex Schult. (1822)
• Calathea makoyana – peacock plant
• Calathea mannii Benth. (1883) = Marantochloa mannii (Benth.) Milne-Redh. 1952)
• Calathea marcellii Petersen (1890) = Calathea virginalis Linden ex Regel (1879)
• Calathea massangeana (E.Morren) Gentil (1907) = Maranta leuconeura E.Morren (1874)
• Calathea micans var. amabilis Petersen (1890) = Calathea micans (L.Mathieu) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea micans var. robustior Regel (1859) = Calathea micans (L.Mathieu) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea micans
• Calathea multicinta
• Calathea musaica (W.Bull.) L.H.Bailey (1914) = Calathea bella (W.Bull) Regel (1879)
• Calathea myrosma (Roscoe) Körn. (1858) = Myrosma cannifolia L.f. (1782)
• Calathea nigricans Rusby (1910), nom. illeg. = Calathea rusbyi Loes. (1930)
• Calathea nodosa Rusby (1907) = Calathea lateralis (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl. (1829)
• Calathea olivaris (H.J.Veitch) G.Nicholson (1884) = Calathea makoyana E.Morren (1872)
• Calathea oppenheimiana E.Morren (1875) = Ctenanthe oppenheimiana (E.Morren) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea orbiculata Lodd. (1832) = Calathea truncata (Link ex A.Dietr.) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea orbifolia
• Calathea ornata var. albolineata Körn. (1860) = Calathea ornata (Linden) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea ornata var. majestica (Linden) E.Morren (1870) = Calathea majestica (Linden) H.A.Kenn. (1986)
• Calathea ornata var. regalis (Rollison ex Lem.) Körn. (1858) = Calathea regalis (Rollison ex Lem.) H.A.Kenn. (1995)
• Calathea ornata var. roseolineata Körn. (1860) = Calathea ornata (Linden) Körn. (1858)
• Calathea pallidicosta
• Calathea pardina Planch. & Linden (1856) = Calathea villosa (Lodd. ex G.Don) Lindl. (1834)
• Calathea parkeri (Roscoe) Poepp. & End. (1838) = Monotagma spicatum (Aubl.) J.F.Macbr. (1931)
• Calathea paucifolia
• Calathea petersenii
• Calathea picta Hook.f. (1899) = Calathea warscewiczii (L.Mathieu ex Planch.) Planch. & Linden (1855)
• Calathea picturata
• Calathea pluriplicata
• Calathea plurispicata
• Calathea polyphylla Poepp. & Endl. (1838) = Ischnosiphon polyphyllus (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1862)
• Calathea polytricha Baker (1894) = Calathea sciuroides Petersen (1889)
• Calathea prasina (W.Bull) N.E.Br. (1882) = Calathea mediopicta (E.Morren) Jacob-Makoy ex E.Morren (1874)
• Calathea princeps (Linden) Regel (1879) = Calathea majestica (Linden) H.A.Kenn. (1986)
• Calathea propinqua Petersen (1890), nom. illeg. = ) Calathea koernickeana Horan. (1862)
• Calathea quadratispica Woodson (1939) = Calathea crotalifera S.Watson (1889)
• Calathea rhizantha K.Schum. (1892) = Afrocalathea rhizantha (K.Schum.) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea riedeliana (Didr.) K.Schum. (1902), nom. illeg. = Calathea variegata (K.Koch) Linden ex Körn. (1858)
• Calathea riedeliana (Horan.) Paull ex Regel (1875) Calathea koernickeana Horan. (1862)
• Calathea roseobracteata
• Calathea roseopicta
• Calathea rotundifolia (Körn.) Körn. (1862), nom. illeg. = Calathea orbifolia (Linden) H.A.Kenn. (1982)
• Calathea rotundifolia Poepp. & Endl. (1838) = Ischnosiphon rotundifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1862)
• Calathea rotundifolia var. fasciata (Linden ex K.Koch) Petersen (1890) = Calathea fasciata (Linden ex K.Koch) Regel & Körn. (1858)
• Calathea rufibarba – furry feather calathea
• Calathea sclerobractea K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea crotalifera S.Watson (1889)
• Calathea smaragdina Linden & André (1870) = Monotagma smaragdinum (Linden & André) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea sodiroi Eggers (1893) = Calathea pachystachya (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1862)
• Calathea spicata (Aubl.) Steud. (1840) = Monotagma spicatum (Aubl.) J.F.Macbr. (1931)
• Calathea splendida M.P.Corrêa (1926), nom. illeg. = Calathea splendida (Lem.) Regel (1869)
• Calathea strobilifera (Miq.) Körn. (1862) = Renealmia cernua (Sw. ex Roem. & Schult.) J.F.Macbr. (1931)
• Calathea trifasciata Körn. (1858) = Calathea propinqua (Poepp. & Endl.) Körn. (1862)
• Calathea trinitatis K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea altissima (Poepp. & Endl.) Horan. (1862)
• Calathea trinitensis Britton (1921 publ. 1922) = Calathea casupito (Jacq.) G.Mey. (1818)
• Calathea tubispatha Hook. (1865) = Calathea pavonii Körn. (1862)
• Calathea undulata
• Calathea utilis
• Calathea valeriana Standl. (1937) = Calathea leucostachys Hook.f. (1875)
• Calathea van-den-heckei (Lem.) Regel (1869) = Calathea picturata K.Koch & Linden (1863)
• Calathea veitchiana var. foxii Raffill (1873) = Calathea veitchiana Veitch ex Hook.f. (1865)
• Calathea veitchiana
• Calathea villosa var. glabra K.Schum. (1902) = Calathea villosa (Lodd. ex G.Don) Lindl. (1834)
• Calathea villosa var. pardina (Planch. & Linden) Körn. (1862) = Calathea villosa (Lodd. ex G.Don) Lindl. (1834)
• Calathea violacea var. hirsuta Petersen (1890) = Calathea marantifolia Standl. (1927)
• Calathea vittata (K.Koch) Körn. 1858) = Calathea elliptica (Roscoe) K.Schum. (1902)
• Calathea wallisii (Linden) Regel
• Calathea warscewiczii Körn.
• Calathea wiotiana Jacob-Makoy ex E.Morren (1874), no diagnostic descr. = Calathea wiotii (E.Morren) Regel (1879)
• Calathea zebrina var. humilior Körn. (1862) = Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl. (1829): "zebra plant"

References

1. "World Checklist of Selected Plant Species".
2. "Calathea". Costa Farms. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
3. "How to Grow Striking Tropical Calathea". The Spruce. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
4. "Calathea: A Guide to Collecting Calathea". Leaf and Paw. 2018-11-09. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
5. "What is Propagation? - Definition from MaximumYield". www.maximumyield.com. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
6. "Calathea". Air So Pure. Retrieved 2019-04-25.