Calathea lancifolia
Goeppertia insignis
An evergreen perennial houseplant featuring long, narrow, wavy-edged light green leaves marked with distinctive dark green or brownish oval spots along the midrib. The undersides of the leaves are a deep purplish-red.
- Light
- Prefers bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day. Avoid direct sunlight, which can bleach the foliage and burn the leaves.
- Water
- Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. High sensitivity to chemicals in tap water means filtered, distilled, or rainwater is best. Signs of under-watering include curling leaves and dry brown tips, while over-watering can lead to yellowing lower leaves and stem rot.
- Growth
- A clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial houseplant with an upright growth habit, typically reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, using filtered water or rainwater. Maintain high humidity around the plant and feed sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the spring and summer growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Prefers bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day. Avoid direct sunlight, which can bleach the foliage and burn the leaves.
Watering
Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. High sensitivity to chemicals in tap water means filtered, distilled, or rainwater is best. Signs of under-watering include curling leaves and dry brown tips, while over-watering can lead to yellowing lower leaves and stem rot.
Soil
Requires a rich, porous, and well-draining soil mix, typically combining peat moss, perlite, and standard potting soil. The optimal pH range is slightly acidic between 5.5 and 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA hardiness zones 11 to 12. Grown primarily as an indoor houseplant in temperate regions as it is very sensitive to cold temperatures and drafts.
Growth habit
A clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial houseplant with an upright growth habit, typically reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Rarely flowers indoors, but in natural tropical conditions, it produces small, inconspicuous white or pale yellow flowers on short spikes. Non-flowering is typical in indoor container cultivation.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through root division during the spring repotting season. Carefully separate the rhizome clumps, ensuring each division has several healthy stems and an established root system, then pot into fresh, moist soil.
Common pests & issues
Prone to spider mites and fungus gnats, especially in dry indoor air or overly saturated soil. Brown leaf tips and edges are commonly caused by low humidity or exposure to mineral-heavy tap water. Prevent by using a humidifier and filtered water.
Similar species
Often confused with other prayer plant relatives such as Calathea orbifolia or Calathea roseopicta. Calathea lancifolia is distinguished by its exceptionally long, narrow, sword-like leaf blades and distinct alternating dark spots.