This tropical rhizomatous perennial has upright foliage and forms a clump. It has a large rounded dark green oval leaves that have whitish stripes and the small tube-shaped whitish flowers appear in a cluster amongst the foliage during summer.

Hardiness zones 11 to 12

Calathea rotundifoliais naturally found from central to tropical South American growing in the understory of rainforests. It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded, wind protected humid position and grows in organic rich fertile moist soils that are tending acidic and is drought and frost tender.

This Calathea is grown for its foliage and spreading habit. It is planted in the understory of tropical gardens or used along shaded front borders. It is suitable for coastal or low-mountain regions establishing from division in one season and is moderately long lived. This perennial is also grown in pots or tubs and in cold climates it is placed in a conservatory or glasshouse. ID 2943

Calathea(ka-LAY-thee-a) rotundifolia(roh-tun-dee-FOH-lee-ah)

Marantaceae (MAR-an-TAY-see-ee)
Arrowroot