Plants

Calathea rufibarba

Calathea rufibarba

  • Aka: furry feather, wavestar calathea
  • Origin: Brazil – non-toxic
  • Family: Marantaceae
  • Temperature: 22-28 °C, Hardiness: 11- 12, Humidity: 70-80%

This Calathea has long velvety elegant arching spear-shaped leaves, green on topside and deep reddish purple on underside of its furry leaves which is uncommon in its genus.

This plant loves water, but not soggy roots, so depending on your light and home humidity, can be watered twice a week, with less water in winter. Needs high humidity, with well-draining moist soil and never soggy and never dry so finding the balance is a matter of watching and learning. Likes a warm sunny place with no draughts. Feed with half strength liquid fertilizer and flush out the soil every 2-3 months to prevent build-up of calcium in the soil and also on the leaves. Allow the leaves to die off naturally.

Prone to red spider mites and root rot

Other plants

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”
Audrey Hepburn