Calathea
Calathea
Varieties We Carry
Beauty StarCalathea ornata
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$7.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 4.
LightPart Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
About Calathea
Calathea (now often classed as Goeppertia) is grown for its dramatic, patterned foliage that folds upward at night like praying hands. More demanding than the related Maranta, it wants warm, humid, draft-free conditions and bright indirect light, rewarding that care with bold, peacock-patterned leaves. A standout tropical accent for shaded patios and bright interiors. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Rarely Flowers Indoors
- Flower Color
- Grown for Foliage
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Well-drained, Peat
Care essentials
Light
Give bright, indirect light only. Direct sun fades and scorches the patterned leaves; deep shade dulls them. An east window or filtered shade is ideal.
Water
Keep the soil lightly and evenly moist with warm, low-mineral water (rain or distilled); it is sensitive to fluoride and salts. High humidity is essential, so mist or use a pebble tray.
Soil & Fertilizer
Use a light, well-draining, peaty mix. Feed lightly through the growing season and keep it warm, above 60F, away from cold drafts.
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Common questions
Is Calathea a good plant for St. Augustine?
Calathea is a plant for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.