Medium Calathea Orbifolia
The Calathea Orbifolia has beautifully shaped, round foliage with silvery-green stripes on them. This unique appearance makes it a favorite among seasoned plant parents, and adds wonderful variation to your personal collection. Its circular leaves can grow to over a foot wide (wow!)
Originating from South America, the Orbifolia enjoys medium light, high humidity and well-drained soil. Although beautiful, these plants require a moderate amount of attention to keep their gorgeous leaves happy! Because they are tropical, most homes are too dry for them. If your Orbifolia starts to get a little crunchy, try adding a humidifier to the room. Give them enough TLC and you might be surprised with a flower!
Like many Calathea, the Orbifolia folds its' leaves up at night and unfolds them in the morning, so don't worry if you see this happen! This is a natural process called nyctinasty. They are often referred to as a prayer plant because of this process.
It’s scientifically known as the Calathea ornate and casually known as the Pinstripe Plant. Native to South America, the Calathea loves bright rooms and high humidity but can get accustomed to medium light rooms. About a foot and a half tall and one foot wide, this compact, dark emerald stunner commands attention in any room with its interestingly striped foliage.
Dressed to Impress
Your Calathea ornate gives off an ornamental vibe and highlights any room it’s placed in. It will come dressed to the nines with its sleek, rich, sacramento colored leaves and contrasting strawberry pink pinstripes (sometimes the stripes may appear white). Whether you’re trying to dress up an office space, entertainment room, or entryway, the pinstripe is a head-turner that never disappoints.
Prayer Plant
Also a part of the ‘Prayer Plant’ or Marantaceae family, the Calathea opens and closes its leaves each day as the daylight moves into night. The leaves also raise or lower slightly when sunlight reaches different points in the day.
Keep it Humid and Filtered
It could be helpful to purchase a humidifier when you bring home your pinstripe plant, as it’s accustomed to weather from the tropics in South America, specifically on balmy rainforest floors. To reenact the lush habitat for your Ornate, it could be helpful to put it in bright, but indirect sunlight, to imitate the tree canopies nearby that normally block layers of the bright sunlight. If the plant receives too much direct exposure to the sun, it could cause the leaves to burn.
