Garden Goods Direct | Calathea rufibarba

Calathea rufibarba earns its common name, “Jungle Velvet Calathea” from its soft, velvet textured leaves. This tropical gem is a lover of bright indirect light and a consistently moist soil. The rufibarba is a fan favorite among plant collectors, drawing attention with its purple stems and dark purplish-maroon undersides. Many members of the Calathea family boast bright hues and intricate patterns. The jungle velvet, however, does not share these qualities. The plant’s rich green leaves make up for this lack of vibrancy and draws onlookers with their deep burgundy undersides. The rufibarba’s muted tones also make this Calathea a little easier to work into modern home designs. Calathea are a fun group of indoor plants to collect because of the uniqueness and bold features of their foliage. As a member of the prayer plant family, the rufibara is also loved for its ability to mimic praying hands. Also referred to as Calathea Wavestar, this specific Calathea is also recognized for its rather funky wavy leaf edges. This plant, though beautiful, can be slightly challenging for the beginner houseplant grower. Some common problems with Calathea include the plant’s distaste for tap water, root rot, and undiagnosed infestations of spider mites. Yellowing leaves are often an indicator of one or multiple of these issues. An unhappy Calathea can be easily avoided by following the plant’s proper care regimen. The ideal care for this type of plant includes bright indirect lighting, a well draining soil, and high humidity levels. If you follow those guidelines, your Calathea is sure to be the star of your collection.