Calathea Misto

The Calathea 'Misto', commonly known as the peacock plant, is an ornamental variety featuring two shades of green. Its glossy leaves, ovate in shape, boast a dark green lamina adorned with lime-green stripes at the centre, resembling brushstrokes. Of tropical origin, calatheas bring a touch of exoticism and colour to your home, provided they receive filtered light and high ambient humidity.

Belonging to the Marantaceae family, Calathea louisae (synonym Goeppertia louisae) is native to the humid forests of the Amazon, where it thrives under the dense canopy. The 'Misto' variety is a cultivar selected for its particularly ornamental foliage. Its elongated leaves display vivid green striate patterns against a dark green background. This unique colouration makes it a centrepiece in interior décor. Additionally, like other calatheas, its leaves fold up at night, a phenomenon known as nastic movement. It prefers indirect, filtered light, as direct sunlight may scorch its delicate leaves. Keep it away from south-facing windows, as it thrives in north-facing exposures. High humidity is essential for maintaining healthy foliage.

The Calathea ‘Misto’ will grace your living room, bedroom, or a cosy office corner, provided humidity and filtered light are present. To create a harmonious green display, pair it with plants sharing similar needs: opt for a Calathea ‘Beauty Star’, whose soft green and cream stripes play gently with light, or a Calathea sanguinea with its tricoloured leaves.