Corby

Calathea Orbifolia

• 
  Bright light
• 
  Easy care

• Corby likes...
  • 
    Medium light

    He can live in quite low light, but prefers something brighter. Avoid direct sunlight as it burns his leaves.

  • 
    Regular watering

    He likes his soil to be lightly moist. Check him weekly and water him if the top two inches of soil feel dry.

  • 
    Humidity

    He adores a steamy atmosphere. He’ll love living in your bathroom, but misting him regularly will also do the job.

• Quick facts

  BOTANICAL NAME

  Calathea orbifolia

  NICKNAME

  Prayer plant

  PLANT TYPE

  Evergreen; indoor

  AIR PURIFYING?

  Yes

  PLANT HEIGHT (INCLUDING POT)

  20-30cm; 60-70cm

  PET/BABY SAFE?

  Yes

  NURSERY POT SIZE

  12cm; 19cm

• About calathea orbifolia

  For more care advice about Corby, check out ourcomplete guide to calathea care.

  Calatheas are wonderful houseplants. They come in a huge range of different patterns and colours and they’re all relatively easy to look after. Calathea orbifolia is a very handsome example, with large, round leaves striped with dark green and silver.

  Calatheas are commonly known as prayer plants, because their leaves fold together at night, like praying hands. If you’re up before sunrise, you might see the leaves unfold to catch the day’s rays.

  Calathea orbifolia grows natively in Bolivia, where it basks in humidity and dappled light. It will be happiest in your home if you mimic rainforest-y conditions: moist soil, lots ofhumidity, and the sort of light you’d get under the canopy of larger trees, i.e. not direct sun. If you look after it well it could grow to almost a metre tall. It will grow even faster with a monthly dose ofliquid fertiliserin spring and summer.

  Did you know?

  Calathea leaves are able to fold up because they have a little secret joint between the leaf and stem. Don’t tell anybody.