Calathea orbifolia is a magnificent foliage plant, prized for its large, distinctive, nearly-round leaves. These leaves feature a beautiful pattern of bold, silvery-green stripes against a lighter green background. Like all Calatheas (often called ‘prayer plants’), its leaves exhibit nyctinasty – they fold up slightly in the evening and flatten out again in the morning. This tropical perennial forms a handsome, clumping habit, making it a stunning feature plant for tabletops or floor spaces indoors. It is best suited to warm, consistent indoor environments and is non-toxic to pets.
Care Tips:
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Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which will scorch the leaves and cause the colours to fade. Too little light will cause the pattern to become less distinct.
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Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Water when the top couple of centimetres of soil feel dry. It’s sensitive to chemicals in tap water (like fluoride and chlorine), which can cause crispy brown leaf edges. Using filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water is highly recommended.
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Humidity: Crucial for this plant! It requires high humidity. If the air is too dry, the leaf edges will quickly turn brown and crispy. Place it in a naturally humid room (like a bathroom), group it with other plants, mist it daily, or use a humidifier.
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Temperature: Thrives in warm, stable temperatures (ideally 18°C–28°C). Keep it away from cold droughts, open windows in winter, and air conditioning units.
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Soil: Use a well-draining, airy potting mix that retains moisture, such as a mix including perlite, coir, and compost.
