Goeppertia louisae aka Calathea

Taxonomy

Goeppertia louisae, also known as Calathea louisae, is a tropical, evergreen, clump-forming perennial plant native to the Rio de Janeiro state of southeast Brazil. It is widely cultivated in various locations as an ornamental foliage houseplant. This herbaceous plant can grow up to 80 cm tall and boasts leaf blades that measure up to 22 cm in length and 10 cm in width. The leaves exhibit two different shades of green, forming stripes that run from the costa to the margins. With its dark green color and pale green markings along the midrib, the leathery leaves of Goeppertia louisae add a touch of elegance to any indoor space. Interestingly, these leaves have the ability to move, as they are known to hold out during the day and move to an upright position, revealing their purple undersides at night. As part of the genus Goeppertia, previously known as Calatheas, Goeppertia louisae is one of many prayer plants that display fascinating leaf patterns and colors. Some of these plants have leaves that fold up at night through a process called nyctinasty, showcasing their unique night movement.

Common names

Calathea, Prayer Plant

How to care for Calathea

Water

Calathea should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Calathea loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Calathea prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Humidity

The Calathea does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Calathea should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Calathea’s native range is Tropical Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia