ornamentalFamily: MarantaceaeGenus: Calathea

Cultivar

Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea

Prized for its dramatic, oversized foliage, this Calathea displays broad, circular leaves with a distinct pattern of alternating light silver and deep green bands. As an understory native, it thrives in environments that mimic its natural forest floor habitat, preferring indirect light and consistent moisture. Its elegant growth habit and architectural leaves make it an exceptional specimen for adding a lush, tropical feel to indoor spaces.

Calathea orbifolia is a stunning tropical plant known for its large, rounded leaves featuring striking silver and dark green stripes. It is a popular choice for indoor environments that provide filtered light and high humidity.

Marketplace packs coming soon

Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.

Cultivar Story

Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.

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Growing Inspiration

Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.

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Marketplace Plant

A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.

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Aspirational Garden

Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.

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Plant Detail

A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.

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Repotting / Start Growing

Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.

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Start ยท Plan ยท Grow

Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.

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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.

Plant Profile

Grow Calathea Orbifolia with confidence

Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.

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Sun

Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sun which can scorch the delicate foliage.

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Water

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; use filtered or distilled water if tap water has high mineral content to prevent leaf tip browning.

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Mature size

24 to 36 inches tall and wide

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Hardiness

Not hardy; typically grown as an indoor plant (Zone 11-12 if outdoors)

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Growth habit

clumping perennial

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Plant type

tropical foliage plant

View Plant Data

Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.

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Good to know

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Growing note

Maintains best color and leaf health in environments with humidity levels above 50%. Avoid placing near cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters.

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Climate note

Prefers consistent warmth between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; protect from temperatures below 60 degrees.

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Flower / fruit

Grown primarily for its foliage; flowering indoors is rare and typically insignificant compared to the impact of the leaves.

Growing & Care

Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.

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Sun / light

Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sun which can scorch the delicate foliage.

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Growth rate

moderate

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Fertilizer

Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength, applied monthly during the growing season.

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Pruning

Remove yellowing or damaged lower leaves at the base to maintain plant vigor and appearance.

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Care notes

Maintains best color and leaf health in environments with humidity levels above 50%. Avoid placing near cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters.

Size & Habit

How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.

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Mature size

24 to 36 inches tall and wide

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Growth habit

clumping perennial

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Spacing

24 to 36 inches apart

Flower / Fruit

Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.

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Flowering / fruiting

Grown primarily for its foliage; flowering indoors is rare and typically insignificant compared to the impact of the leaves.

Climate & Hardiness

Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.

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Hardiness zones

Not hardy; typically grown as an indoor plant (Zone 11-12 if outdoors)

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Temperature

Prefers consistent warmth between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; protect from temperatures below 60 degrees.

Soil & Water

Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.

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Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; use filtered or distilled water if tap water has high mineral content to prevent leaf tip browning.

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Soil

Well-draining, airy peat or coco-coir based potting mix with added perlite.

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Soil pH

6.0 - 7.0

More Plant Data

19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.

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Container Growing

Thrives in containers; ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot.

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Family

Marantaceae

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Foliage Look

broad, rounded, silver-striped dark green leaves

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Foliage Rules

Leaves are rounded with distinct alternating bands of silver and green; stems are upright and petioles are flexible.

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Fruit Flower Look

rare, insignificant off-white clusters if present

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Fruit Flower Rules

Do not imply the plant is grown for fruit; flowers are not a standard expectation for nursery-grade starters.

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Growth Habit Rules

Preserve the clumping, mounded form; do not depict as a vining or tree-like plant.

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Mature Plant Look

lush, architectural, wide-leaved tropical mound

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Mature Stage Morphology

Forms a dense, clumping mound of large, leathery, rounded leaves with a distinct 'striped' appearance and reddish-purple undersides.

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Morphology Rules

Ensure the leaves appear leathery and wide, maintaining the characteristic orbicular shape.

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Plant Faqs

How much light does a Calathea orbifolia need? It prefers bright, indirect light away from harsh direct sun. Does this plant require high humidity? Yes, it thrives in humidity above 50% and may need misting or a humidifier. Why are the leaf tips turning brown? This is often caused by low humidity or the use of tap water containing chlorine and minerals. How big does this plant get? It typically reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and width when mature.

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Root Look

healthy, white, fibrous roots within a firm starter plug

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Soil Look

dark, moist, organic-rich potting soil

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Starter Stage

Young starter plants appear as small clusters of several leaves, typically exhibiting the characteristic silvery striping even at an early stage.

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Starter Stage Morphology

Small root system in a starter plug with 3 to 5 developing leaves showing typical oval shape and silver-green variegation.

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Video Voiceover Script

Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Calathea Orbifolia. This is Calathea Orbifolia, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let Calathea Orbifolia become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future indoor foliage environment you want to create. The defining feature of this tropical beauty is its magnificent, large rounded leaves, which showcase intricate patterns of silvery-green stripes against a deep emerald base. Establish your starter plant by moving the plug into a four-inch pot with quality, well-draining mix, then later move to an appropriate final container once established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.

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Youtube Tags

Calathea orbifolia Calathea indoor plants tropical foliage houseplant care ornamental plants Agardeni large leaf plants starter plants

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Youtube Video Summary

Explore the beauty of Calathea orbifolia, a classic tropical foliage plant famous for its broad, silver-striped leaves. Learn how to provide the right indirect light and humidity to maintain its stunning, lush appearance in your home.

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Youtube Video Title

Growing Calathea Orbifolia: Care and Indoor Tropical Styling

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Future Buyer Brand Sellers

Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.