Calathea roseopicta

calathea medallion

Marantaceae

Western Brazil; lowland tropical rainforest understory

Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Calathea roseopicta (recently reclassified as Goeppertia roseopicta) is an evergreen rhizomatous perennial from western Brazil, growing 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide indoors. The 'Medallion' cultivar — the form most commonly traded as 'Calathea Medallion' — produces broadly oval leaves 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long, with the upper surface dark glossy green carrying a pale-green to silver feather-like mid-region and a thin pink-red marginal band, and the underside deep purple-maroon. The 'Dottie' cultivar reverses the pattern with near-black leaves and pink markings. Petioles are 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) long and rise from the rhizome in clumps. Leaves close vertically upward at night and reopen in the morning — the nyctinastic movement common to plant family Marantaceae. Indoor plants flower rarely; outdoor specimens in tropical zones 10–12 produce small white-to-purple flowers in cone-shaped bracts at soil level. The plant is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. C. roseopicta is sensitive to chemicals in tap water — chlorine, fluoride, and dissolved salts cause leaf-tip browning over weeks; rainwater, distilled water, or tap water left to outgas overnight reduces this damage. Cold-tender: leaf damage occurs below 55°F (13°C) and the plant dies below 40°F (4°C). Air humidity below 50% causes leaf-edge curling and browning. Common indoor pests include spider mite, thrips, and mealybug.

Native Range

Native to subtropical and tropical lowland rainforests of western Brazil. Grows in deep shade on the rainforest floor under closed canopy.

Suggested Uses

Grown as an indoor specimen for the patterned foliage in temperate climates and as a shade groundcover in tropical zones 10–12. Container culture in 6–10 inch (15–25 cm) pots with rich, moisture-retentive potting mix supports the typical indoor mature size. Used in terrariums and bathroom installations where humidity is consistently above 60%.

How to Identify

Identified by broadly oval leaves 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long with the upper surface dark glossy green carrying a pale-green to silver feather-like central marking and a thin pink-red marginal band, and deep purple-maroon underside. Leaves close vertically upward at night and reopen in the morning. Long petioles 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) rise in clumps from a creeping rhizome at soil level. Numerous cultivars vary in leaf coloration and pattern, including 'Medallion' (silver-green center with pink margin), 'Dottie' (near-black leaves with pink markings), and 'Rosy' (cream and silver leaves with pink margins).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Indoor plants flower rarely. Outdoor specimens in tropical zones 10–12 produce small white-to-purple flowers in cone-shaped bracts at soil level, sporadically through the year. Bloom duration is 3–4 weeks per inflorescence.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to purple in cone-shaped bracts (rare in cultivation)

Foliage Description

Dark glossy green with pale-green to silver feather-like central marking and pink-red margin; deep purple-maroon underside

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to indoor mature size

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in bright indirect to medium light at 65–80°F (18–27°C). Direct sun scorches the patterned upper leaf surface within hours and bleaches the silver markings and pink margins. Watering occurs when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of potting mix has dried — typically every 4–7 days. Tap water left in an open container overnight reduces leaf-tip browning from chlorine and dissolved salts. Air humidity 60–80% supports full leaf development; humidity below 50% causes leaf-edge curling and browning over weeks. Plants are re-potted every 1–2 years and may be divided at the rhizome at the same time.

Pruning

Damaged or yellowing leaves are removed at the petiole base at any time of year. The plant is divided at the rhizome every 2–3 years at re-potting; each division requires at least 2–3 leaf-bearing stems to establish. Cut surfaces of rhizome divisions are dusted with cinnamon or sulfur powder to reduce fungal entry.