Emerald feather calathea is a showy, tropical, evergreen, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial species that is native to the tropical areas of southeast Brazil. The plant has 2 to 5 leaves that forms a compact, dense, upright, clumping habit that measures up to 2 feet tall. The genus name, Goeppertia , is in honor of a German botanist, Johann Heinrich Robert Goeppert. The origin of the specific epithet is unknown. It is a member of the prayer plant family ( Marantaceae). This plant prefers partial to dappled shade and well-drained loamy soils with rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic pH. It requires high humidity of up to 60 to 70%. Direct sunlight will damage the leaves. It is not frost tolerant and is hardy in US Plant Hardiness Zones 10 to 11. Avoid cold drafts. The plant prefers temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil moist by watering regularly but avoid soggy soils. It may be propagated by division. The petiole is 2 to 6 inches long, and the leaves are oblong to ovate with a pointed apex and wavy margins.The leaves measure 4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. The upper surface of the leaf is a glossy dark green with a pale or lime green feathering on either side of the central vein. The undersides are green with shades of pale purple. The flowers appear on a 3 to 4-inch stalk with green ovate bracts. The flower is white with a tubular corolla and 3 lance-shaped lobes. The fruit is a capsule that dehisces when mature and releases 3 seeds. In warm and tropical climates, emerald feather Calathea can be used for borders or as a groundcover. It may also be used as a showy tropical houseplant as long the temperature and humidity requirements are met. Its striking foliage will provide interest to your home or office. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, scale, slugs, and snails. Goeppertias may be susceptible to root rot and bacterial and fungal spot if they are overwatered. Provide good air circulation and avoid overwatering. Direct sunlight can damage the leaves. More information on Goeppertia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Dense; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are oblong to ovate with a pointed apex and wavy margins.They measure 4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. The upper surface of the leaf is a glossy dark green with a pale or lime green feathering on either side of the central vein. The undersides are green with shades of pale purple.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers appear on a 3 to 4-inch stalk with green ovate bracts. The flower is small, white with a tubular corolla and 3 lance-shaped lobes.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The fruit is a capsule that splits open when mature and releases 3 seeds.