🌿 Species Guide
🦚 Calathea & Maranta
🌿 In Brief — Calathea & Maranta
Genera: the queens of graphic foliage, cousins in the Marantaceae family · Light: bright but filtered, never direct sun · Watering: regular, with non-calcareous water · Key point: they require humidity—it is the condition for their beauty · Bonus: 🐾 non-toxic to cats and dogs
Few plants rival the spectacle of Calathea foliage: hand-painted stripes, velvety circles, purple undersides, and peacock feather patterns. Together with their cousins, the Marantas, they form the clan of "prayer plants," whose leaves lift each evening in a slow dance. Known to be finicky, they are actually simply demanding in one aspect: humidity. This guide presents the most beautiful varieties to grow at home and the complete method to keep them splendid—starting with what changes everything: humid air and soft water.
Calathea and Maranta: Who Are They?
Calatheas and Marantas belong to the same family, Marantaceae, native to the tropical understories of South America. They grow in the shade of tall trees, in a warm and constantly humid atmosphere—a detail that explains all their indoor requirements. They can be found in the Calathea collection, featuring a profusion of patterns and colors.
The Prayer Plants
Their most fascinating feature is a phenomenon called nyctinasty: every evening, their leaves slowly raise toward the sky like joined hands, then lower again in the morning. This daily movement, sometimes audible, has earned them the nickname "prayer plants."
Safe Foliage
Good news for homes with pets: unlike many houseplants, Calatheas and Marantas are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. They can be placed safely, even within reach of a curious companion.
The Golden Rule: Humidity
If there is one thing to remember: these plants require humid air and soft water. Air that is too dry instantly browns the edges of their leaves, and hard water stains their foliage. Provide them with these two conditions, and they become surprisingly easy to care for.
Calathea Varieties
Here are sixteen of the most decorative Calatheas, grouped into five families according to their foliage: large round leaves, the Ornata group, the Star series, unique textures, and colorful varieties. Enough to create a true graphic collection.
The large round leaves
Large rounded leaves with spectacular patterns, often tinged with purple on the reverse: the most impressive of the genus.
Large almost round leaves, pale green striped with silver bands. One of the most elegant Calatheas, with a broad and graphic habit.
See the Orbifolia →
The true peacock plant: fine, translucent foliage drawing feather patterns, highlighted with purple on the reverse. A refined tropical classic.
See the Makoyana →
Its round leaves marbled with light and dark green, turned over to deep purple, form true medallions. Spectacular and very decorative.
See the Medallion →The Ornata group
Dark foliage streaked with fine pink or white lines, as if painted with a brush: pure graphic elegance.
The classic Ornata: a deep green highlighted with fine pale pink stripes that look hand-painted. A discreet and highly sought-after elegance.
See the Ornata →
The "royal" version of the Ornata: larger leaves with fine, perfectly regular stripes. A majestic habit that lives up to its name.
See the Majestica →
Large rounded leaves marked with well-contrasted light and dark green bands. A generous, ample variety with an upright habit.
See the Fasciata →The Star series
The "star" cultivars: slender foliage striped with fine, regular lines, perfect for adding height.
A shower of tight white stripes, delicately tinted pink near the central vein. Brighter than the Ornata, it lights up a room.
See the Whitestar →
Slender foliage striped with fine regular stripes in a gradient of greens. Elegant and graphic, it adds height.
See the Stripestar →
Its large light leaves bear a fine deep green feather pattern, almost drawn. A large, bright, and airy specimen.
See the Flamestar →
Slightly bluish green foliage, highlighted with fine lighter stripes. A soft and soothing variety, easy to integrate.
See the Bluegrass →The singular textured ones
Velvety or wavy foliage, with extraordinary textures that invite a visual caress.
Deep green velvet foliage, patterned with lighter motifs and reversed with burgundy. It even produces discreet cream flowers.
See the Warscewiczii →
Large leaves with bright green velvet, striped with deep green bands like zebra fur. An imposing specimen with exceptional texture.
See the Zebrina →
Its long narrow wavy leaves, speckled with dark spots on a light green background, give it a unique rattlesnake look.
See the Lancifolia →The colorful & flowering
Cream mottling, pink hues, or bright blooms: Calatheas that focus entirely on color.
A flamboyant foliage mottled with green, cream, and pink, reversed with bright magenta. The most colorful of the group, spectacular backlit.
Discover the Triostar →
An irregular cream and white variegation, tinted with lavender on the underside. Each leaf is unique: a rare variety highly prized by collectors.
Discover the Fusion White →
The only Calathea grown for its flowers: bright orange inflorescences standing above dark foliage. A striking contrast.
Discover the Crocata →Calathea comparison
| Variety | Foliage | Size | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbifolia | Round, silver striped | Ample | Showpiece |
| Makoyana | Peacock pattern | Medium | Classic lovers |
| Medallion | Round, purple underside | Medium | Medallion effect |
| Ornata | Fine pink striped | Medium | Discreet elegance |
| Majestica Princeps | Regular striped | Ample | Majestic posture |
| Fasciata | Contrasting stripes | Ample | Round leaves |
| Whitestar | Pink-white striped | Medium | Bright touch |
| Stripestar | Fine striped | Ample | Graphic height |
| Flamestar | Feather pattern | Large | Large light specimen |
| Bluegrass | Bluish green | Ample | Softness |
| Warscewiczii | Velvet, burgundy underside | Large | Rare texture |
| Zebrina | Zebra velvet | Large | Impressive specimen |
| Lancifolia | Wavy speckled | Medium | Original look |
| Triostar | Pink tricolor | Large | Strong color |
| Fusion White | Panaché blanc | Compact | Collector's item |
| Crocata | Orange flowers | Compact | Flowering |
Marantas, prayer plants
Direct cousins of Calatheas, Marantas — the true "prayer plants" — crawl rather than stand upright and are perfect for hanging baskets. Their low, spreading foliage also folds its leaves each night. To discover them all at once, there is even a set of three varieties.
The most spectacular of the Marantas: velvety green foliage with bright red veins and dark spots. Gorgeous as a hanging plant.
Discover the Fascinator →
A soft green adorned with dark spots nicknamed "rabbit paws." The gentlest and easiest of the Marantas, ideal for beginners.
Discover the Kerchoveana →
An explosion of freshness: almost fluorescent lime green veins on deep green foliage. An electric contrast full of pep.
See the Lemon Lime →💡 Good to know
The composition of the set of three Marantas varies according to seasonal arrivals: each trio is thus a little surprise, always made up of the most beautiful varieties available.
Daily maintenance
Humidity, the key to everything
This is non-negotiable. These tropical plants require humid air: group them with other plants, place the pot on a bed of moist clay pellets, or install a humidifier. In our dry heated climates, misting alone is not always enough to maintain beautiful leaves. Our guide on light and humidity details how to find the right balance.
Watering and water
Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times, never soggy, and let the surface barely dry between waterings. Crucial point: water with non-calcareous water — rainwater, filtered, or demineralized. Hard water and chlorine brown the leaf edges.
Light
Give them beautiful indirect light, never direct sun that would burn and fade their patterns. A bright but filtered spot, a few meters from a window, suits them perfectly.
💡 The gesture that makes the difference
If your tap water is hard, collect rainwater or let water rest for 24 hours before watering. This is the secret to foliage without brown edges.
- Humid air essential: clay pellets, humidifier, grouping
- Substrate always slightly moist, never soggy
- Only non-calcareous water — rain, filtered, or rested
- Bright but filtered light, never direct sun
- Constant warmth, protected from cold drafts
Common problems and solutions
| Symptom | Likely cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Brown and dry leaf edges | Too dry air or hard water | Increase humidity, switch to non-calcareous water |
| Leaves curling | Lack of water or dry air | Water and increase ambient humidity |
| Fading patterns | Too strong direct sun | Move away from the window, filtered light |
| Soft yellow leaves | Overwatering | Let dry, check drainage |
| Brown spots on the leaf blade | Splashes of hard water | Water at the base, avoid wetting the foliage |
| Leaves no longer lift in the evening | Stress, light, or irregular watering | Stabilize maintenance, growth resumes |
Where to place your Calathea
The tropical corner
Grouped together, Calatheas and Marantas recreate a true lush undergrowth — and grouping them also increases the humidity they love so much. They are the ideal base for a successful tropical atmosphere, among the most beautiful pieces of plant decor.
The bright bathroom
It is one of the few places in the house where the air remains naturally humid: a bathroom with a window is a dream spot for a Calathea. Compact sizes fit perfectly there, as in all small spaces.
Hanging
Trailing Marantas reveal all their charm when hung or placed high, letting their colorful foliage cascade. A beautiful way to dress a wall or shelf among your indoor plants.
Verdeia Collection
All Calatheas & Marantas from Verdeia
From peacock foliage to trailing prayer plants — find the Marantaceae that will brighten your interior.
Frequently asked questions
They are two related genera from the same family: Calathea stands upright and features graphic patterns, while Maranta creeps and is suitable for hanging.
It is a natural phenomenon called nyctinasty: the plant raises its leaves in the evening and lowers them in the morning, hence its nickname as a prayer plant.
Preferably non-calcareous water: rainwater, filtered or demineralized, because lime and chlorine brown the edges of the leaves.
It likes bright but always indirect light: direct sun burns and fades its patterns, while a shaded spot preserves them.
It is almost always due to air that is too dry or hard water: increase ambient humidity and water with soft water to fix it.
Verdeia — Living plants
Adopt your Calathea
Graphic and non-toxic foliage — spectacular plants for a tropical and safe interior.
