Description

Calathea Fishbone, also known as Ctenanthe Burle Marxii, has a pattern of striking stripes on its oval pale green leaves resembling fishbones. While the underside of its leaves is red and grayish. In addition, the Calathea Fishbone is a humid-loving plant and is part of the Maranta family as well. This indoor plant in Manila is named after Roberto Burle Marx, a famous Brazilian artist, and landscape designer.

• Plant height:
  • Small – 4 to 6 inches, minimum of 4 leaves
  • Medium- 4 to 6 inches, minimum of 8 leaves
  • Large – 4 to 6 inches, minimum 12 leaves
• Pot diameter: 3 to 4 inches for all sizes

The Calathea Fishbone can fit in our Good Pots collection.

History

Calathea plants begin within the Amazon wildernesses of South America. This is where the bulk of them live in shaded regions beneath thick vegetation or exceptionally tall trees. With the process known as nyctinasty, the leaves of the Calatheas or Maranta class open to get daylight amid the day and crease upwards at night as if “supplicating” or “praying”. Calatheas have a joint within the stem that makes them move at such. Calatheas’ foliage is exceedingly subordinate to their climate and treatment, as they are one of the more sensitive indoor plant assortments.

Care guide

This Calathea Fishbone for sale in Manila thrives best near a window or in an outdoor shaded area.  It will have its optimum growth wherever it has access to bright indirect sunlight. Placing them in harsh direct sunlight may cause them to lose color or burn their leaves. One way to know that they’re receiving too much light is when their leaves curl up.

Meanwhile, watering can be done once to twice a week or when the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil has dried out. While it’s fine to use regular water, tepid rain or distilled water has good benefits for this plant as well. And as mentioned, this indoor plant in Manila loves humid areas, so misting can be done in between waterings. Drooping Calathea Fishbone may mean that it’s thirsty. Meanwhile, browning and yellowing in their leaves may be due to inconsistent watering. But always remember that an underwatered plant is easier to revive than an overwatered one.

Propagation

This Calathea in Manila can be propagated through the division method when repotting. Take out the plant from its soil and you’ll see that the roots are all tangled up together. Simply separate the stems carefully with your hands and plant them in separate pots. Make sure that the sections’ roots are still intact, and that they’re cared for as you would with a normal Calathea. Rooting should take place in about a month or so!

• Calathea Triostar
• Calathea Medallion
• Calathea Rufibarba