You may already have a big collection of calathea plants (technically now Geoppertia plants as most calatheas were reclassified), or you just got your first plant and have fallen in love. Either way, you will love this “must have types of calathea” list.
Types of Calathea Plants
Each of the plants unique and striking; it’s no wonder these are fast becoming one of the most popular house plants to have. There are many calathea varieties to choose from, some easier to find than others, and here is a list of some of our favorites with photos to make your choice easier.
1. Calathea Zebrina – Zebra Plant
Kicking of the calathea varieties list is the Zebra plant.
Its distinctive pattern, the green stripes in two wonderful hues, the leaves’ velvety surface, and lush foliage make this plant one of the more popular calathea species. It is also fairly easy to spot one in the stores, so getting your hands on this plant should not pose a problem.
This plant is grown for its beautiful leaves, and while it is not impossible for it to bloom, it is highly unlikely you will ever see a blooming calathea zebrina indoors. But trust us when we say you won’t miss the blooms one bit.
If it gets proper care, this plant can grow quite tall and full. It will thrive in rooms with high humidity (ours has its own stone humidity tray to help humidity levels), indirect sunlight, and warm temperatures. A great way to increase humidity around this plant, and any other, is to add more plants near it, so keep going through our list, adding more of the gorgeous calathea plants to your wish list.
2. Calathea Orbifolia
Another popular plant with striking leaves is the orbifolia.
3. Calathea White Fusion
Hands down one of the prettiest calathea out there, and not the easiest to come by. If you spot it and want it, don’t dwell on it! Get it! Give it love and caring as your friends will be asking for you to propagate this plant.
That all said, this one is the hardest to care for from this plant group and it is absolutely not a plant we would recommend to a beginner. But if you love a challenge why not give it a go, its stunning looks will keep you motivated to give it all your best.
4. Calathea Triostar, not a True Calathea as it’s Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar
If you were impressed by Fusion White but want something a whole lot easier to take care of, this is your plant. Often labeled as Calathea Triostar, this one is actually a Stromanthe plant.
Stromanthe Sanguinea Triostar is a close calathea relative that often gets overlooked by calathea fans BUT it should not be. When it comes to prayer plants, calatheas and marantas get all the attention while Stromanthe (and Ctenanthe) get left out from lists. However, now that you have seen this beauty, we are sure you will excuse us for including this stromanthe plant in our calathea plant list.
While not a true calathea, this plant does often go by the name of Calathea Triostar. Its main feature is its gorgeous long leaves that boast shades of white, cream, and green on top and a strong darker pink on the bottom.
The photo of this plant does not do it justice, it looks even better live and the colors really are as vivid. It’s a plant that brings joy.
When it comes to care, this one acts as any calathea would – like a queen. Keep it happy with bright indirect light, warm temperatures, and high humidity.
If you want to add colors but skip the bloom, this plant is a must.
5. Calathea Ornata – Pinstripe
Dark green leaves with gentle pink streaks that look almost like they were painted on with a brush. What’s not to love!
As with any plant from this group, the care for pinstripe plant isn’t the easiest, however we find it to be a sturdier and more forgiving plant compared to most from this group.
6. Flamestar
Flame stars boast massive foliage; with proper care, this plant can become quite big too. The patterns on the leaves are somewhat similar to those of medallion or roseopicta but at the same time, just different enough. A fussy one in our experience but well worth the trouble.
7. Calathea White Star
One just can’t get enough of the unique foliage patterns from all the different types of Calathea Plants, White star offering medium long and thin leaves with thick pink and white striped pattern on a green background.
It’s somewhat similar to vitatta as far as patterns go.
8. Calathea Makoyana – Peacock Plant
One of the most popular calathea varieties is the so-called peacock plant. It’s got some impressive large leaves with a strong pattern. This girl likes to flaunt it! It needs to justify its Peacock Plant name after all.
9. Calathea Musaica – Network
When it comes to intricate foliage patterns, Network is the winner, hands down.
10. Calathea Medallion
This lovely specimen can be seen in plant stores pretty often and at a good price. It’s one of the more popular varieties, and that is certainly justified if you check out its foliage. The wonderful pattern of greens and off-white on top and gorgeous purple on the bottom of the leaves.
This one can grow to an impressive height.
11. Crocata
While it is extremely unlikely to see any other type of calathea plant bloom indoors, this is not the case with Crocata.
Unlike other types of calathea, the foliage of this one is rather dull. However, this one compensates for this by showing off its adorable dark orange flowers.
12. Calathea Rattlesnake – Lancifolia
Have enough oval and round leafed plants? How about this beauty with long and wavy foliage? Add to this the patterns on the leaves, and you have to love this plant.
13. Roseopicta
There are quite a few different versions of roseopicta, each with its distinctive pink pattern on leaves. From just a dash to full dark pink leaves.
14. Calathea Maui Queen
Maui queen is another interesting type of calathea, it has super delicate leaves and the most adorable pattern on the foliage – resembling brush strokes.
15. Rufibarba
What makes this one really stand out from other types of calatheas on this list is its fuzziness. The leaves are fuzzy on the back. Stems as well.
16. Calathea Warscewiczii
