Description

Known affectionately as the velvet calathea, the Calathea rufibarba is one of the popular prayer plant (also known as the never-never plant) family. It is native to the Bahia state of northeastern Brazil, and like so many of its plant family, the Calathea rufibarba is packed with character, sporting long sword-like leaves on hairy upright stems. It gets its nickname from its hairy and incredibly soft leaves, which when stroked feel as soft as velvet. The Calathea rufibarba also has the traditional prayer plant habit of curling its leaves at the end of the day before opening them again in the morning. This curling up of the leaves is where the prayer plant family gets its nickname, since their leaves resemble praying hands.

The Calathea rufibarba loves…

• Bright indirect light, but will manage in a slightly shadier spot - direct sunlight will cause the leaves to fade

• Its soil to be moist but not wet - water when the top few cm of soil are feeling dry

• A bit of humidity to stop its leaves drying - giving it a regular mist or placing it in a humid room like a bathroom or kitchen works well

• Being fed once a month during spring and summer

Non-toxic to pets or humans if ingested

Tip

• If you can, use captured rainwater to water your plants. Some houseplants can be sensitive to the chlorine found in tap water.