Calathea (types and care at home will be discussed in the article) is a prominent representative of the Marantov family. Its main wealth is considered to be leaves that are painted with intricate patterns. The name of the plant from the Greek language is translated as “basket”. Its leaves were used in the old days for weaving utensils. Leaves are really suitable for this. They are long and tough. What else is known about the flower and its species?
general information
Varieties and types of calatheas are evergreens perennials. The territory of freshwater reservoirs of South and Central America is considered their homeland. They are quite finicky, therefore it is better to purchase them only in specialized stores. Otherwise, there is a chance to get a sick flower. Although even in this case, he can return to his health and excellent appearance.
Calathea does not just have a unique leaf color. She flips them twice a day. In the morning they are turned upside down, and in the evening - inside. If there are a lot of these flowers, you can listen to them at the time of turning the leaves. It seems as if they are whispering among themselves. Some people saw in this moment a resemblance to a praying person. Therefore, it is often called the “prayer book”.
Care Features
Calathea is rather finicky in its care. However, not as much as, for example, an orchid. Yes, and to engage in your favorite colors is always nice. If you adhere to the main recommendations, the flower will delight the look of its leaves, and sometimes flowering.
Home care:
- Species of calathea and other plants do not tolerate drafts, so they need to be put in a cozy place.
- Temperature can range from sixteen to twenty-two degrees Celsius.
- Humidity should be above normal, daily spraying of leaves from a fine spray is allowed. If there is no time for this, you can put a humidifier in a room with tropical flowers.
- Light should be good, but not direct. It is better not to put the plant on the south window.
- Since the plant loves moisture, care should be taken not only about sufficient moisture in the soil, but also about drainage. The roots should not be in the water for a long time so that their rot does not begin.
- From April to August it is required to feed the soil with fertilizers. It is during this period that it is growing rapidly.
If the plant blooms, then it receives the maximum possible care. Then you need to continue leaving in the same spirit.
Popular views and their decorative qualities
Almost all varieties and types of calathea bloom. But this happens in the winter. The condition for this should be not only human concern, but also daily ten-hour coverage. The flowers of the plant are of different sizes and colors. But most often the petals are white or purple.
And yet it received its popularity for decorative foliage. If desired, you can choose a variety that will have beautiful leaves and no less wonderful flowers.
Bahema
Calathea species is a compact resident of Brazilian forests. It grows to forty centimeters in height. The length of the leaves is about twenty centimeters, and the width is eight centimeters. On the leaves there is a clear pattern of dark green spots on a light green background. They diverge symmetrically from the middle. The underside of the sheet is tinted with lime.
Due to the fact that the leaves of the plant change their position in the morning and evening, it changes its appearance. His flowers are large, have the shape of an ear.
Veicha
The plant is native to Peruvian mountain forests. It is one of the highest representatives of its kind. An adult plant grows to almost one meter. This must be taken into account when planting a flower to provide it with enough space. The leaves are no less large: their length is up to forty centimeters, and the width is fifteen centimeters. What does this type of calathea look like.
Description is best to start with leaves. Their upper parts are decorated with a contrasting pattern, consisting of various shades of green and yellow. The reverse side looks no less impressive. On it is a pattern of yellow-white stripes. The flowers of the plant are white. They are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, which are located on the shoot twenty-two centimeters long.
Burle marx
The type of calathea has an unusual appearance. He owes this to large and voluminous inflorescences, which have a snow-white color. Petals give a slightly pale blue hue, so sometimes the plant is called "blue ice". Leaves of a light green tone. Many flower growers dream of getting such a calathea.
Wonderful
This type of calathea photo looks very impressive. Its leaves reach a length of twenty-seven centimeters. They are distinguished by wavy edges. The upper side has a light green background, on which circles and ovals of a dark green color are arranged in a certain sequence. The edges are also surrounded by a dark shade. The leaves are as if drawn by someone.
But even more surprising is the underside of the sheet. It is painted in a saturated dark color, which casts a purple tint. Such a flower will be the highlight of any greenhouse.
Zebrina
This type of calathea, the care of which differs little from the rest of its related variations, has large leaves. They grow up to forty centimeters in length and twenty centimeters in width. The leaves are very reminiscent of bird feathers in their pattern. Although, due to the alternation of dark and light shades of green, the plant was compared with the color of the zebra.
Calathea is blooming. Its inflorescences are rounded in shape, located on short peduncles. Petals can be painted in white or light lilac tone.
Crown
The plant is distinguished by its leaves. They have a dazzling white shade that resembles gold. The bottom of the magenta leaf plate. The edges have a subtle frame of a dark green tone. It attracts gardeners with the absence of a pattern. In this case, the leaves look no less impressive.
Litz
This type of calathea is of medium size. It grows to sixty centimeters. Leaves are located on thin petioles. Their length does not exceed fifteen centimeters, and a width of eight centimeters. Leaves have a slight undulation at the edges. The top of the sheet is glossy. Her color is bright green. Against the general background are dark green wide stripes. On the reverse side, the sheet is painted in red and purple. The flowers of the plant are white. But to see them, you have to take good care of the plant. However, nothing is impossible, and the grower will strive for something.
Leopard
This type of calathea does not exceed forty centimeters in height. It has relatively short leaves, whose length is twelve centimeters. Light green leaf plate background. Spots stretched out from the center are scattered on it. This color is remotely similar to the skin of a leopard. The flowers of the plant are bright yellow.
Lubbers
The plant is different from its counterparts. Its leaves are oval without a slight narrowing, as in other species. In shape they resemble rectangles with slightly smoothed corners. Their coloring is different. If in most calatas it is symmetrical, then in this species the pattern is randomly located. On a green background there are lemon stripes of various widths. The inner side of the sheet is painted in a light green tint.
Makoya
The plant belongs to undersized species. Its height is not more than forty-five centimeters. The leaves are long (twenty centimeters) and wide. The pattern of the top plate is pretty bright. Dark stripes and reddish spots are located on a green background. The back of the sheet is painted in a pale green tone, so it seems almost transparent.
Majestic
The amazing coloring of the leaves is a hallmark of the Majestic. The main background of the top of the leaf plate is green. Groups of white narrow stripes pass along it. Leaves are wide with a glossy sheen. Each leaf is located on a long petiole. The flower looks very elegant and will decorate any room.
Medallion
The flower belongs to the type of roseoptic. The leaves of the plant attract attention with their pattern. Looking at them, one gets the impression that someone put a cherry leaf on the top plate and outlined it using pink colors. The sheet itself is painted in a dark green tone, and in the central part it is light green. In adult leaves, the pattern fades over time, but the pattern can still be distinguished. They have a rounded shape, grow on long cuttings.
Mix
In this type of calathea, photos in black and white will resemble a zebra. The leaves are oval in a light green tone. On it go dark green stripes. There is a species called zebrin. He has light stripes on a dark background. Although it is not easy for a connoisseur to confuse them.
Mosaic
This type of calathea, whose name is associated with an unusual color, consists of wide sheets with wavy edges. The essence of the color is that on a common green background there are many small quadrangles of light green hue. Visually, it looks like a mosaic. This coloring is very different from the usual lines, ovals and dots.
Ornata
This type of calathea (flowers are clearly visible due to the long peduncle) is very miniature. It grows to thirty centimeters. Leaves are located on long petioles. They are elongated with a pointed end. The general background of their plate is lime color. It is decorated with pink and silver stripes. The petals of the inflorescences are white or lilac.
Orbifolia
The leaves of the flower are very large, almost rounded. They are placed on thick petioles. The edges of the leaves are wavy. The outer plate is painted in green. Light transverse lines run along it. Enjoy the view of these hard, colorful leaves can be infinitely long.
Pseudoweychiana
The leaves of the plant have a wide border of green. The picture itself consists of several shades. The leaf is not long, but wide with a sharp point at the end. It grows on a thin shank. More gardeners appreciate varieties in which the middle of the leaf plate is painted white or reddish. The margin of such plants is bright green. The flower looks exotic. He will decorate any apartment or office.
Pink painted
The height of the flower does not exceed forty centimeters. It is appreciated by gardeners for double coloring of leaves. The top plate has a pattern in the form of various stripes of various shades - from bright green to silver. The main background is dark green. The reverse side of the plate has a dark purple hue. Both sides of the sheet at the edge are marked by a snow-white border. The shape of the leaves is oval, their edges are wavy. They grow on small petioles.
Breeders worked on this species. Therefore, there are several varieties. They differ in the color of the veins that color the top of the sheet. For example, in the Little Princess variety, pink narrow stripes are visible in the center and at the edges.
Colorized
Quite a popular view among gardeners. Leaves are elongated. Their length is about twenty centimeters. The outer side of the sheet has dark green edges and a light green core (in the photo it may appear completely white). The vein is painted in light green color. Petioles have a red tone, which contrasts strongly with the leaves.
Rufibarba
The name in Russian means "red-bearded". It is associated with the presence of a reddish gun on the bottom of the sheet plate. Decorates fluff and petioles. The leaves themselves are very elongated with a sharp end. They are painted in a uniform green tone, without a pattern. Their edges have a slight undulation.
The flowers of the plant are yellow or orange. Breeders managed to develop a variety whose back side is lilac in color.
Silver
The silver grade is quite compact. The plant has small leaves, colored with light stripes, which have a silver tint. Color and shape can also be compared to a bird feather. Due to its small size, the flower will not take up much space.
Triostar
The leaves of the plant are quite long and narrow. The pattern consists of light stripes that are arranged in a chaotic manner along the entire length of the plate. The inside of the sheet has the same pattern, but the color is changed to bright red.
Undulata
The plant in translation means "wavy". Not surprisingly, the leaves of this flower have wavy edges. The outer plate is painted dull green. Its middle has a light green color.
Finally
In total, there are more than two hundred species of calathea. Features of the departure of each of them must be considered before starting it at home. If the conditions do not meet the minimum requirements, the plants will begin to "rebel." This will manifest itself by drying, yellowing, curling leaves. The flower will lose its decorative qualities. Then you will have to make every effort to restore his health and former appearance. If the plant pleases with its flowers, then the florist does everything right.
Some flower lovers mistakenly attribute to the calathe poisonous properties. Perhaps this is due to the fact that many beautiful flowers from the tropics have toxic substances in their juice. But they are not in the calathe. Therefore, the flower is safe for others. Do not be afraid to put it in a children's room.
There are women who believe that the plant helps maintain peace of mind in the house. He is turned on so that harmony reigns in the family. However, it is written about many green spaces that require special care. Perhaps the truth is that women are pleased to take care of someone. Then they feel better and calmer. A happy woman is the key to home peace. Yes, and there will be more oxygen in the house.