Why will I love it?
Prepare to be enchanted: the stunning calathea whitestar (Goeppertia ‘Whitestar’) is adored for its striking, highly patterned foliage and purple underside. As with other prayer plants, it raises and lowers its leaves throughout the day, adding a dynamic touch to its already dramatic presence.
Light or shade?
It thrives in partial shade and bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf bleaching.
Where should I put it?
Try to recreate its natural habitat, the Brazilian rainforest, with high humidity, partial shade and warm temperatures. A bright bathroom or kitchen is ideal.
How do I keep it alive?
Mist the leaves regularly and water little and often. Avoid letting the soil dry out or become waterlogged. The whitestar appreciates regular, light feeding with a balanced houseplant fertiliser during the growing season.
Did you know …
After recent advances in plant taxonomy, it was determined the genus calathea was not monophyletic – it did not consist of a single common ancestor. This has led taxonomists to reclassify certain calathea species, including those with patterned foliage, into the genus Goeppertia.
