About
A clump-forming, tender evergreen perennial to 40cm high, with large, oval leaves held on long purple stems. Sometimes produces white flowers with purple tinted bracts on short stems in summer, though it rarely flowers in cultivation. Leaves are dark green, with silvery white stripes along the midrib and parallel with the leaf margins, and deep purple coloured underneath.
About the genus
Goeppertia are evergreen rhizomatous perennials forming clumps of elliptic leaves, often attractively-patterned; racemes of small tubular flowers are seldom produced in cultivation. Previously included within the genus Calathea
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toBrazil
Care notes
CultivationBest grown under glass as it requires a constant temperature of at least 16°C. Grow in peat-free potting compost, with bright indirect or filtered light and high humidity, keep away from draughts. Water moderately when in growth and keep just moist in winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in late spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free