Plant care guide

Calatheaorbifolia

Goeppertia orbifoliaFamily Marantaceae

Also known as Round-leaf calathea, prayer plant

Large, round leaves with silver stripes. It asks for attention, but rewards you with some of the most beautiful foliage around.

LightMedium indirect
WaterLightly moist, never soggy
HumidityHigh
Temperature65–80 °F (18–27 °C)
PetsNon-toxic to dogs and cats
DifficultyDemanding

Light

It likes medium indirect light, like a bright room away from the window. Direct sun fades its stripes and scorches the leaf edges.

Watering

Keep the soil lightly moist; water when the top inch is dry. It's sensitive to chlorine and salts, so use rainwater or tap water that has sat out overnight.

Soil and pot

It prefers a mix that holds some moisture but drains well — for example, all-purpose soil with coir and perlite — in a pot with drainage holes.

Humidity and temperature

High humidity is the key. If the edges dry out, group it with other plants or set it on a tray of pebbles and water, without the pot touching the water. Keep it away from the air conditioner.

In the Dominican Republic

Caribbean humidity suits it very well; here its main enemy is usually air conditioning. If you keep it on a porch, choose a shady spot sheltered from the wind.

Also known as

Calatea: Common Spanish name
Calathea orbifolia: Plant trade
Maranta: Popular Spanish use (applied to several prayer-plant relatives)
Planta de la oración: Popular Spanish use (applied to several prayer-plant relatives)
Prayer plant: Common English name (used loosely for calatheas and marantas)

Common problems

Crispy brown edgesLow humidity, or chlorine and salts in the water; raise the humidity and switch your watering water.
Curling leavesIt's thirsty or the air is too dry; check the soil and the humidity.
Faded stripesIt's getting direct sun; move it to indirect light.