Plant Identification: Colorful Calathea Plant
Hello,
I need to find out the name (common and scientific) of this houseplant as fast as I can. I found on the internet that the name is Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana but the Google images are pretty different from mine. Help!
Hi,
Your plant is a type of calathea plant and is a member of the Maranta family. The particular variety is a Calathea Medallion. All calathea plants have their large, oval, patterned, leaves. The beautiful striped leaves grow at the end of long stems and require quite a bit of care to stay looking good. Indoors a calathea plant rarely grows larger than about 2ft. wide and 2ft. tall. This plant requires high humidity to keep its leaves from getting brown edges and is not an easy-care plant.
A calathea plant likes bright, indirect light. so placing it in front of an east, west, or north window is ideal. Too much direct sun burns the leaves and causes the beautiful leaf colors to fade.
Calatheas are very sensitive to the water you use. Hard water, soft water, fluoridated water, or water of poor quality causes the leaves to turn brown from leaf burn. The best way to water is to use distilled water, rain water, or allow your tap water to sit out over night before using it. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Allow the top 2-3” to dry out before watering. Never let a Calathea Plant sit in water.
You can read all my care tips for a Calathea plant in the Popular Houseplant section of the website. The picture is of a different variety, but the care is the same.
https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/calathea-lineata-plant-care-tips