🌿
Illustration pending
At a Glance
Light medium to bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 60–85%
Temp. 18–29 °C
Habit Clumping
Growth Moderate
Care Medium
Height 50–90 cm
Add to your collection
species Marantaceae ◉ Verified
Goeppertia orbifolia
Calathea Orbifolia · Round-Leaf Calathea · Orbifolia Prayer Plant
(goh-ep-PER-tee-uh or-bi-FOH-lee-uh)
At a Glance
Light medium to bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 60–85%
Temp. 18–29 °C
Habit Clumping
Growth Moderate
Care Medium
Height 50–90 cm
Add to your collection
Origin & Habitat
Bolivia; wet tropical biome
First described by (Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez.
Description
Large rounded silver-green leaves with broad dark green striping and a soft matte finish.
Rhizomatous clumping prayer plant; new leaves emerge rolled and unfurl from the crown.
Botanical Notes
Genus honours German botanist Heinrich Goeppert; species epithet means round-leaved.
Accepted as Goeppertia orbifolia; the familiar trade name Calathea orbifolia is treated as a synonym by POWO.
Care Guide
Prefers consistent moisture, high humidity, warmth and gentle light. Avoid tap-water salt build-up where possible.
Repotting
Use a moisture-retentive but airy mix. Repot when roots fill the pot rather than on a fixed schedule.
Feeding
Light monthly feeding in spring–summer
Common Problems
- Brown edges from low humidity, salts or underwatering; leaf curl from dryness or cold; spider mites in dry air.
Notes & Curiosities
- Still widely sold as Calathea orbifolia even though Goeppertia is the accepted genus in POWO.