Goeppertia orbifolia, XXL foliage
Goeppertia orbifolia
- Exposures
- Half-shade, Shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Genus
- Goeppertia
- Species
- Goeppertia orbifolia
Other name:Goeppertia orbifolia
Native to Bolivia, Goeppertia orbifolia belongs to the Marantaceae family. With this plant, you don't need several houseplants to turn your living room into a jungle. Its large leaves are enough to transport you to the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
How to recognize the Goeppertia orbifolia?
Goeppertia orbifolia is an herbaceous plant with a dense, bushy habit. It grows up to a metre high and has a 60-centimetre spread.
At the top of the stems grow oval leaves 30 centimetres in diameter. Light green, they are streaked with dark green and silver stripes. Their shiny appearance and patterns are reminiscent of Goeppertia ornata foliage. But there's no mistaking them. On the reverse side, the leaf blades of Goeppertia orbifolia are pale green and silvery, while those of Goeppertia ornata are purple.
In the wild, Goeppertia orbifolia flowers. Clusters of white flowers with star-shaped petals appear at the tips of the stems. Indoors, this phenomenon is extremely rare. To see your Calathea bud, opt for a Calathea crocata.
Although you're unlikely to see your green plant bloom, you can marvel at another feat of nature: nyctinasty. As night falls, the Goeppertia orbifolia folds its leaves. When day breaks, it unfurls them again. The movement is accompanied by a rustling sound, similar to a whisper or a sigh. This habit has earned the Calathea genus the nickname of praying plant.
Goeppertia orbifolia is not toxic. It is harmless to humans and animals. Some even claim it has pollution-removing properties.
Our care tips
Not very demanding, your Goeppertia orbifolia is content with a location without direct sunlight and plenty of humidity.
Watering
Your Calathea orbifolia likes its soil to be moist. But it hates excess water. Water when the surface of the substrate is dry (about a centimetre).
Use room-temperature, non-calcareous water, such as rainwater.
Drain any water that collects in the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.
Misting
In nature, goeppertia orbifolia benefits from high humidity. Indoors, the air is too dry for them. To remedy this, spray the foliage with rainwater at room temperature.
Fogging also combats attacks by mites and red spiders.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Goeppertia orbifolia to give it more space.
Obtain a pierced pot of a larger size than the previous one. Don't hesitate to choose a ceramic or plastic model. These materials retain moisture and allow you to space out watering. Your Calathea orbifolia also prefers a wide pot to a deep container to give it room to grow.
Line the bottom with gravel or clay balls for drainage. Then pour in potting soil for green plants. You can lighten it by adding perlite.
Plant your subject in the middle and fill in with substrate. Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Goeppertia orbifolia, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Supplement watering with a houseplant fertilizer to promote the development of your Goeppertia orbifolia.
If you have just repotted, wait six to eight weeks before starting to fertilize.
Cleaning
Cleaning the leaves with a clean, damp cloth removes dust and limits pest attacks.
Prune
Remove wilted and yellowed leaves.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Rhizome division requires digging up the plant. Carefully remove your Goeppertia orbifolia from the ground and examine its root system.
Choose an offshoot with roots distinct from the main plant. It will be easier to remove. Separate it from the rest of the plant with your hands.
Choose an offshoot with roots distinct from the main plant. It will be easier to remove. Separate it from the rest of the plant with your hands.
To increase your chances of success, choose rhizomes with at least one leaf.
In a pierced pot, pour a layer of clay balls for drainage. Add potting soil for seedlings and planting.
Using a pencil, make a pilot hole and plant your cutting.
Water at room temperature to help the plant take root.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- Half-shadeShade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceous
- Tag
- Thirsty
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight greenSilver
- Flower color
- White
Discover plants from the same family
Zebra Calathea
Goeppertia zebrina
Calathea crocata
Goeppertia crocata
Calathea lancifolia
Goeppertia lancifolia
Calathea ornata
Goeppertia ornata
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
