Calathea plants bring bold, patterned leaves to indoor spaces. These tropical houseplants grow naturally in the understory of South American rainforests, where they filter sunlight and thrive in humid conditions. Their leaves move throughout the day, folding upward at night and opening again in the morning. Below are ten calathea varieties commonly grown as houseplants.
Calathea makoyana (peacock plant)
Peacock plant (Calathea makoyana (E.Morren) K.Schum.) has light green leaves marked with thin dark green lines that widen into oval patterns resembling peacock feathers. The foliage grows upright and can reach 12 to 18 inches tall indoors. This variety grows best in a mixture of peat, perlite, and coarse sand that drains quickly but holds some moisture. Feed it with diluted liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. The plant grows quickly when conditions suit it and may need repotting every one to two years. Find more peacock plant care details on our peacock plant care page.
Calathea ornata (pinstripe calathea)
Pinstripe calathea (Calathea ornata (Linden ex Lem.) Körn.) produces long dark green leaves with thin pink or white stripes that fan outward from the central vein. The undersides are deep purple. The plant grows to about 2 feet tall indoors. It needs six to eight hours of bright indirect light each day. A soil mix of two parts peat moss to one part perlite provides the drainage and moisture retention this variety prefers. Low humidity or inconsistent watering can cause leaf edges to curl or brown.
Calathea lancifolia (rattlesnake plant)
Rattlesnake plant (Calathea lancifolia Boom) has long narrow leaves with wavy edges, light green coloring, and dark green oval spots arranged along the midrib. The undersides are purplish red. The pattern and leaf shape resemble a rattlesnake, which is how the common name developed. This species can grow 20 inches tall indoors. It blooms yellow flowers in its native habitat but rarely flowers as a houseplant. The plant needs warm temperatures above 60°F (16°C) and high humidity to grow well. More growing tips appear on our rattlesnake plant guide.
Calathea orbifolia (prayer plant)
Prayer plant (Calathea orbifolia (Linden) H.Kenn.) produces some of the largest leaves in the calathea group. The round leaves are medium green with broad silvery stripes that run parallel to the veins. The foliage can reach 10 to 12 inches across. This variety grows best in bright indirect light and slightly acidic soil with good drainage. The leaves fold upward at night and reopen in the morning, which is typical of many calathea species and gives them the prayer plant nickname.
‘Freddie’ calathea
‘Freddie’ calathea is a cultivar with light green leaves marked by dark green stripes that run outward from the midrib. The leaves are oval and pointed. This variety tolerates lower light levels better than most calatheas, though it still performs best in medium indirect light. It is one of the easier calatheas to grow indoors. Use a humidifier or place the pot on a pebble tray with water to maintain humidity around the plant.
Calathea musaica (network plant)
Network plant (Goeppertia kegeljanii (L.Mathieu ex Lem.) Borchs. & S.Suárez, formerly Calathea musaica) has light green leaves covered with a fine network of thin lighter green lines that form a mosaic pattern. The foliage grows upright and reaches about 2 feet tall at maturity. Growth is slower than most calatheas. The plant needs bright indirect light and humidity between 50 and 80 percent. Fertilize every four to six weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Calathea crocata (eternal flame plant)
Eternal flame plant (Calathea crocata E.Morren & Joriss.) produces vibrant orange or yellow flower bracts that stand upright above dark green foliage. The leaves are deep green on top and maroon underneath. The flowers last for several weeks and appear most often in late winter or early spring. This variety needs bright indirect light in winter and filtered light or light shade in summer. Direct sun fades the flower color and scorches the leaves. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Calathea zebrina (zebra plant)
Zebra plant (Goeppertia zebrina (Sims) Nees, formerly Calathea zebrina) has bright green leaves with bold dark green stripes that run outward from the center vein. The pattern resembles zebra stripes. The leaves are oval and velvety. The plant can grow 3 feet tall indoors when given adequate light and humidity. It needs bright filtered light and high humidity above 60 percent. You can divide the plant at repotting time to create fuller growth or propagate new plants.
Calathea roseopicta (medallion calathea)
Medallion calathea (Goeppertia roseopicta (Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez, formerly Calathea roseopicta) has round leaves with dark green centers, feathered rings of cream or light green, and deep purple undersides. The pattern resembles a painted medallion. The plant grows 1 to 2 feet tall indoors. It may produce small white and purple flowers in summer, though flowering indoors is uncommon. This variety needs consistent moisture, high humidity, and indirect light to maintain its bold leaf patterns.
‘White Fusion’ calathea
‘White Fusion’ is a cultivar with dark green leaves heavily marbled with white and cream variegation. The undersides are lavender. This variety is more demanding than most calatheas because the white portions of the leaves contain less chlorophyll, which limits photosynthesis. It needs bright indirect light to support the variegated foliage but burns easily in direct sun. Humidity must stay consistently high, ideally above 60 percent. The soil should stay evenly moist but never soggy. This calathea is worth the extra care for growers who want a showpiece plant.
Growing calatheas indoors
All calatheas grow naturally in tropical rainforest understories and need similar conditions indoors. Place them in bright indirect light away from windows with direct sun. They tolerate lower light but grow slower and produce less vivid patterns. Soil should drain quickly but hold moisture. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand works well. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Use distilled water, filtered water, or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup from tap water, which can cause brown leaf edges. Humidity above 50 percent is important for healthy growth. Use a humidifier or group plants together to raise humidity. Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. Calatheas are sensitive to chemicals, so always dilute fertilizer to half the recommended strength. Learn more about indoor plant care techniques on our general gardening pages.
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