Calathea is a genus of 200 different plant species that are commonly known as prayer plants. They have large, colorful, and attractive foliage that makes them one of the most sought-after houseplants.
However, you’ll have to work hard to enjoy their beauty, as they’re quite fussy and high-maintenance. They aren’t the best plants to start your planting journey and are best gifted to those with a lot of planting experience.
But if you’re up for the challenge of growing one or you know someone who’d love to receive a Calathea as a gift, here are the top Calathea varieties that will leave you in awe:
Rattlesnake Plant
Probably the most popular variety of Calathea plants, the rattlesnake plant is an attractive type of Calathea loved for the rattlesnake-like print on its leaves. Despite its tricky care requirements, many homeowners seek it because of its unique look.
It has long, lance-shaped, light green leaves with dark green spots, resembling the markings of a rattlesnake. The undersides of the leaves have a rich, purple hue that the plant reveals when it folds its leaves at night.
Rattlesnake Calatheas are quite particular with temperature, so keep your indoor temperature at around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to temperatures below or above this range for extended periods can cause the leaves to brown and die off.
Round-Leaved Calathea
Round-leaved Calatheas are highly coveted houseplants popular for their large, round, light green leaves. The leaves have silver-green stripes that run parallel to the veins, giving the plant an elegant and luxurious vibe.
However, this luxurious look requires lots of maintenance to achieve. The plants can’t tolerate drought but are also sensitive to overwatering, so constant monitoring of the soil is important to find the right watering practices.
The plant also requires lots of humidity, so you might need a humidifier if your indoor humidity doesn’t reach 50%.
Peacock Plant
Calathea makoyana, commonly called peacock plant, is a standout plant, even among its Calathea relatives. It boasts striking foliage, resembling a peacock tail’s vibrant feathers.
The leaves showcase a combination of light and dark green hues, with intricate patterns pretty similar to the markings on peacock feathers. The underside of the leaves is dark purple, adding to the leaves’ appeal.
You might think that the plant can handle intense direct sunlight since it’s a tropical plant, but that’s not true at all. The plants are native to tropical rainforests and grow under the shade of tall trees, so they do best when they receive bright, diffused sunlight.
Pin-Stripe Calathea
Pin-stripe Calatheas got their name from the narrow, pinkish-white stripes that adorn their leaves. Their long, pointed leaves are dark green, contrasting beautifully with their light stripe patterns and deep ruby undersides.
Although they prefer plenty of sunlight, they’re not suitable for south-facing windows because they can’t handle the intense, direct sunlight these windows receive. Instead, place them near a north-, east-, or west-facing window.
In extremely favorable conditions, the plant can reach up to 3 feet tall when grown inside, but it will just stay around two feet in most households.
Eternal Flame Plant
Unlike other Calathea varieties that are mainly grown for their foliage, the eternal flame plant is sought-after for its stunning orange or orange-yellow flowers that resemble a mini flame.
The flowers typically emerge on long stems that rise above the foliage, making them the center of attention when they bloom. They usually bloom in spring and summer and stay for about two to three months.
While it’s mainly grown for its flowers, the Calathea crocata also has beautiful foliage that adds to its overall ornamental value. It has large, lance-shaped, dark green leaves with slightly ruffled edges and striped patterns.
Jungle Velvet Calathea
Calathea warscewiczii, commonly known as jungle velvet Calathea or velvet Calathea, has broad, velvety leaves that give it a soft and luxurious appeal. It’s one of the favorite Calathea of many homeowners, despite how hard it is to take care of.
The leaves have unique dark green, almost black, markings that resemble painted brushstrokes. The upper side is adorned with a light green color, while the underside has a rich purple hue, creating a beautiful and elegant contrast.
To be able to grow it at home, you should aim to keep the temperature above 65°F and the humidity at a constantly high level. Even with an appropriate growing environment, the plant is unlikely to bloom indoors, so many just keep it for its leaves.
Furry Feather Calathea
Furry feather Calathea’s standout feature lies in the unique texture of its leaves. The leaves have rich green coloring on top and burgundy on the undersides, but the underside features a fur-like texture unique to this Calathea variety.
Even its leaves’ shape is quite unique compared to other Calathea varieties. They’re sword-like with wavy or ruffled edges, giving the plant a bolder and more eye-catching look.
Like most Calathea plants, furry feather Calathea is quite fussy with its care requirements. Avoid over-watering the plant and placing it somewhere that receives lots of direct sunlight if you want to enjoy its beautiful foliage.
Zebra Plant
Native to Southeastern Brazil, the zebra plant is a tropical plant that loves warm temperatures and high humidity, around 60% to 70%. It’s a popular houseplant around the world and is one of the most common Calathea varieties.
It has elongated, light green leaves that feature dark green stripes, creating a striking and attractive contrast. The stripes create a zebra-like pattern on its leaves, giving the plant its common name.
The zebra plant tends to be a bit bigger than its Calathea relatives, so it’s a perfect gift for friends who love taller tropical plants. It usually stays at three feet indoors but can reach 4 feet if given appropriate care.
Calathea Dottie
One of the most unique-looking Calathea varieties in this list, the Calathea Dottie features dark green, almost black, leaves with bright pink markings that resemble an outline of another leaf.
While Dottie is generally easy to care for compared to other Calathea plants, it’s still considered a high-maintenance plant that isn’t hardy with neglect. Its leaves can turn brown and crispy if the humidity is too low, so place it near a humidifier or humidity bowl.
The plant loves consistently damp soil but will get stressed if the soil becomes too soggy. When watering, use water just enough to keep the upper part of the soil moist instead of soaking it.
Network Calathea
Calathea musaica, commonly known as network Calathea, is known for its intricate network of green lines or veins, resembling a mosaic or stained glass art. The dramatic patterns on its leaves make it one of the most loved Calathea varieties.
Unlike other prayer plants that have a burgundy or purple underside, the leaves of network Calathea are mainly green, both on the upper and underside.
Network Calathea is a bit more resilient than other Calathea plants but is still generally not the best starting plant for a beginner gardener. It requires high humidity, around 80% is ideal, but be careful not to overwater because it has pretty sensitive roots.
Calathea White Fusion
Another Calathea variety that is sure to turn heads is Calathea white fusion. The upper part of the leaves showcases a mix of green and white patterns, creating a beautiful variegated look, while the underside has a stunning dark purple hue.
Calathea white fusion is a variegated type, so it’s more particular with its light requirements compared to other Calatheas. It can lose its white variegation if it doesn’t receive bright, indirect light for a long time.
This is one of the rarest types of Calathea, so it will be a lot harder to find. Even if you manage to find one, it’s usually a lot more expensive than other Calathea varieties.
Albert’s Prayer Plant
Calathea albertii, also known as Albert’s prayer plant, has ovate, dark green leaves with slightly wavy edges. The leaves are decorated with light green strokes, almost like they were painted with watercolor.
This type of Calathea loves humus-rich soil that can retain a lot of moisture. It doesn’t do well in drought, so regular and frequent watering is needed to keep the soil moist at all times.
Albert’s prayer plant is susceptible to root rot despite its love for moist soil. Make sure you’re not overwatering the plant and that the pot has a drainage hole where excess water can escape.
