Goeppertia roseopicta aka Medallion Prayer Plant

Taxonomy

Goeppertia roseopicta, also known as the Rose painted calathea, is a clump-forming evergreen perennial that is marketed as a houseplant under its synonym Calathea roseopicta. It is native to northwest Brazil and has large, rounded leaves that are dark green above and red below, heavily marked with cream or pink stripes along the veins and midrib, with feathered margins. Like many other plants in the Marantaceae family, Goeppertia roseopicta is a prayer plant, meaning its leaves fold up at night through a process called nyctinasty. This plant is an undemanding choice for growers, particularly those who want an attractive indoor display or for balconies and patios in warm temperatures. It requires a minimum temperature of 16 °C (61 °F) and a constant temperature of 18–24 °C (64–75 °F), high humidity levels, and bright indirect light. Goeppertia roseopicta has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as a houseplant. It is one of many houseplants that were once known as Calatheas but now belong to the genus Goeppertia.

Common names

Medallion Prayer Plant, Calathea, Rose Painted Calathea

How to care for Medallion Prayer Plant

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Medallion Prayer Plant is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Medallion Prayer Plant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Medallion Prayer Plant 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 Medallion Prayer Plant 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.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Medallion Prayer Plant to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Medallion Prayer Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

The Medallion Prayer Plant 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 Medallion Prayer Plant 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.

Growth-pattern

The Medallion Prayer Plant is characterized by clumping growth, with new shoots emerging from the soil around the primary plant.

Region of origin

Medallion Prayer Plant’s native range is Tropical Americas.

Flower

Yes, if you provide your Medallion Prayer Plant with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia