Calathea is a very beautiful indoor plant. Prized florist for the unusual coloring of leaves.
Requires careful maintenance, making dressings, additional spraying.
In good conditions it blooms with amazing fragrant flowers. It has a large number of varieties of varieties.
general description
Calathea is a magnificent indoor plant belonging to Marantaceae family. On average, it reaches a height of 65-85 cm. It grows underground shoots that form a root system with rosettes of leaflets. It has elongated oblong leaves, reaching a length of more than 30 cm. It has gained wide popularity due to the unusual color of the leaves.
Leaves have light emerald shadeon which there are spots, stripes or other darkest patterns. The top color of leaflets can be amber, brown, bloody or violet. In ancient times, these leaves were used for weaving baskets "calathos", thanks to which it received this amazing name.
Important! In addition to the magnificent colors of leaves, it affects flower growers with another amazing ability. In the evening, the leaves rise up, showing its emerald lower part.And in the morning, at sunrise, the leaves themselves go down, creating a rolled ball. If you watch during the day, you can notice a slight movement of the leaves.
In the photo you can visually familiarize yourself with Calathea:
Views from the photo
Varshevicha - the plant has elongated rounded dark emerald green leaves with a bright image next to the vein. They are endowed with terry. Calathea forms spike-shaped beige inflorescences.
Zebrina - grows unusual leaves in ellipsewhich reach a length of more than 35 cm. The main upper colors are dark green. Endowed with a large light feathery pattern. Forms spike-like inflorescences of lilac shade.
Crocate - possesses "false" flowers, collected in thyroid inflorescences. It has high peduncles and inconspicuous fragrant flowers. Endowed with velvety flowers dark emerald.
Lancifolia - a big tall plant. It has elongated leaves, reaching a length of 60-90 cm. Equipped with a pronounced sheet plate of emerald hue. It has small specks and a serrated edge.
Makoy - in height reaches 50 cm. Has large oval leaves snow-white, almost transparent shade. The upper side of the sheets is endowed with emerald oblong streaks and stripes.
Medallion - has a characteristic color sheet plate. The main shade is light emerald. From the center, the color expands to dark, then to the lightest. Figure reminds closed medallion, thanks to which the plant and received such a name.
Rufibarba - in common is called red beard. On the lower side of the leaves endowed with light fluff. It has elongated serrated leaves emerald color. Figure not endowed.
Saffron - endowed with amazing leaves almost brown shade. The upper side of the leaves is painted in emerald color. A special feature is the regular flowering of magnificent amber buds.
Sanderiana - is an evergreen perennial. It has an extended root system. Excellent response to fertilizing and systematic watering.
It has emerald brown leaves with graceful snow-white or pink streaks. The drawing is formed by groups, gradually moving away from the edge.
At home, the height reaches no more than 50 cm. In the wild, it can grow up to 2 m. This species is hard to grow at home.
Therefore, this representative of the flora is recommended for growing only professional growers.
Wonderful - has elongated leaves, reaching a length of more than 25 cm. It has a pronounced leaf plate. It has a jagged edge and an emerald stem without pubescence. The main background of the leaves is light emerald. They are decorated with dark wavy lines of oval or bursting pattern.
Leaf pad and the reverse side of the leaves has a dark lilac color. Due to this color, experienced flower growers call this subspecies lanceoliferous. The plant loves plenty of sunshine. It grows well on windowsills next to bright windows.
Litze - in the wild grows in the tropics of Brazil. In height reaches more than 55 cm. Forms basal leaves elliptical shape. The leaves have a serrated surface and reach a length of 12-15 cm. The upper surface of the sheets is endowed with a silver metallic shade.
It has large dark stripes. dark emerald color. The reverse side of the leaves has a blood-purple hue. The plant forms small spike-shaped inflorescences of bright snow-white shade. Lytze responds well to fertilizing. In good conditions forms dense thickets.
Orbifolia - is the most unpretentious variety of all existing species. It is an evergreen plant with a wide root system.
It grows well in both wild and at home. It grows up to 50-70 cm.
Growing fast. Therefore, the width can reach 40-55 cm.
This representative of the flora is endowed with large wide leaves of light emerald hue.
On the upper side of the sheets are pronounced silvery streaks.
The bottom of the sheets of light emerald hue. Homeland are the tropics of Brazil.
Ornata - is one of the most popular species. Bred using hybridization variety Sanderiana. It is considered the most amazing and spectacular plant. And in the common people this subspecies is called "decorated". This name was due to the graceful clear lines of snow-white, cream, silver or bloody colors.
They are located on a light emerald background perpendicular to the middle of the veinlets. The reverse side of the leaves endowed with a purple or burgundy shade. Plant forms spike inflorescences. But at home it does not bloom.
Striped - is an evergreen perennial. It got its name due to the characteristic coloring, similar to zebra stripes.
Plant forms elongated leavesreaching a length of 25-40 cm. The upper part of the leaves has a light emerald shade. Near the central vein there are dark stripes.
In height Calatea reaches 80-90 cm. Forms lilac or snow-white flowers with a pleasant fragrant aroma. At home it blooms very rarely. In most cases, forms a decorative, odorless miniature flowers. Prefers high humidity.
Rozeopikta - is a compact plant with large elongated leaves. The main color of the leaves is light emerald. Near the central vein are pink stripes. After the time the decorative pattern begins to lighten.
The other side has a uniform pink color. The flower reaches a height of no more than 50 cm. It has a wide root system. It grows well in subacid soils with a small amount of peat. At home, does not bloom.
Calathea - very beautiful, but capricious. Recommended for growing only professional growers. Possesses a magnificent coloring of leaflets.
Forms axillary or apical inflorescences. Depending on the type, flowers have a white, amber, orange or lilac shade. Excellent response to the introduction of fertilizing. Prefers high humidity.
