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Calathea orbifolia care
Goeppertia orbifolia · Marantaceae
Also called Round-leaf calathea.
A clump-forming member of the prayer plant family from the rainforests of eastern Brazil, grown for its broad, rounded leaves striped in silver and green. It is one of the more demanding houseplants: it wants steady warmth, high humidity and soil that never fully dries out.
Light
Bright IndirectWatering
WeeklyDifficulty
HardPets
Non-toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
0.5-1 m
Growth
Fast
Temperature
18-24 °C
Not below 16 °C
Humidity
60% - 80%
Likes humid air
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Slightly acidic soil
Native to
- Brazil
Through the year
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy; water when the top 2 cm feel dry, ideally with rain or filtered water.
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Spring
WeeklyStart feeding and repot only if the roots fill the pot.
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Summer
WeeklyKeep the soil moist and humidity high; shade it from any direct sun.
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Autumn
WeeklyStop fertilizing and watch for dry indoor air as heating comes on.
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Winter
Every 2 weeksKeep it above 16 °C, away from cold glass, and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
Feeding
Every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Do not feed in winter.
Care tips
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Use soft water
Fluoride and salts in tap water cause brown tips; rain or filtered water avoids them.
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Avoid cold drafts
Keep it away from doors, windows and air conditioning in every season.
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Water the soil, not the leaves
Wet foliage can develop leaf spots.
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Divide to propagate
Split the clump at the roots in spring or summer; it does not grow from leaf cuttings.
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Dust the leaves
Wipe them gently with a damp cloth so the large surface can take in light.
Common problems
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Brown, crispy leaf edges
What you seeLeaf margins and tips dry out and turn brown.
What to doRaise humidity with a humidifier or a pebble tray and switch to rain, filtered or distilled water.
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Curling leaves
What you seeLeaves roll inward along the midrib.
What to doCheck the soil: water if it has dried out, and move the plant away from heaters and drafts.
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Spider mites
What you seeFine webbing and pale speckling on the leaf undersides.
What to doWipe and shower the leaves, raise humidity and treat with insecticidal soap until clear.
Pets
Is calathea orbifolia safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists Calathea as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Good to know
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Like other prayer plant relatives, its leaves shift position between day and night.
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It was long sold as Calathea orbifolia; botanists moved it to the genus Goeppertia in 2012.
