My Calathea Collection: 15+ Calathea Varieties I Bought, Grew for a Year, and Photographed
This guide shows 15+ Calathea and prayer plant varieties I grew for about one year, with real photos, leaf pattern notes, and visual differences to help beginners compare which Calathea to buy.
Calatheas—often called prayer plants—are famous for their stunning leaf patterns and their unique habit of raising their leaves at night.
Three years ago, I purchased a large collection of different Calathea varieties and grew them for about a year before eventually rehoming them because I simply had too many.
This post is a full photo archive of the Calatheas I owned, including individual shots and a group collection photo.
If you're looking for real photos of Calathea varieties, this guide will help.
Quick Summary:
- I collected and grew more than 15 Calathea and prayer plant varieties for about one year.
- This post works as a real-photo archive for comparing Calathea leaf shapes, colors, and patterns.
- The collection includes Calathea Ornata, Beauty Star, Freddie, Insignis, Roseo Picta, Orbifolia, Makoyana, Medallion, Vittata, and more.
- Some plants commonly sold as Calathea may actually belong to related prayer plant groups such as Ctenanthe or Maranta.
- If you are choosing your first Calathea, these photos can help you compare varieties before buying.
1. Group Collection: All Calatheas Together
I placed all the pots in a row for a full collection photo.
Seeing them all together—different shapes, colors, patterns—was one of the best parts of growing Calatheas.
2. Calathea Maranta
Often confused with Maranta leuconeura, this plant has beautiful oval leaves with bold patterns. A classic member of the “prayer plant” family.
3. Calathea Ornata
Recognized by its pink pinstripes, Ornata is elegant and striking. New leaves emerge with soft pink tones.
4. Calathea Greystar
A unique variety with soft, muted gray-green leaves. Graceful and understated.
5. Calathea Ctenanthe Lubbersiana
Technically part of the Ctenanthe group but commonly sold as Calathea. It has bright yellow variegation and long slender leaves.
6. Calathea Beauty Star
A prettier, more vivid version of Ornata, with light green and yellow streaks across dark leaves.
7. Calathea Setosa
Long, elegant leaves with silvery stripes. Very architectural and eye-catching.
8. Calathea Freddie (Calathea Concinna)
Fresh green leaves with darker feather-like stripes. A lighter and more refreshing variety.
9. Calathea Ginger
A rare type with unique leaf structure. More uncommon in home collections.
10. Calathea Roseo Picta (or Picta)
Large leaves with bold midrib patterns. One of the more dramatic Calatheas.
11. Calathea Insignis
Also known as Rattlesnake plant. Long wavy leaves with polka-dot patterns on top and purple undersides.
12. Box Photo: Amagris, Vittata, Medallion, Orbifolia, Rosy, Makoyana, Barba
I took a photo of these varieties together inside a delivery box:
- Calathea Amagris — pale green, soft texture
- Calathea Vittata — striped pattern
- Calathea Medallion — classic round pattern
- Calathea Orbifolia — huge, circular silver-green leaves
- Calathea Rosy — deep pink center
- Calathea Makoyana — peacock feather pattern
- Calathea Barba — more uncommon type
This single box photo captures many beautiful varieties at once.
Conclusion
Calatheas are stunning houseplants with dramatic foliage and unique daily movements.
I enjoyed growing these for more than a year—even though I eventually rehomed them due to having too many.
Looking back at the photos now still reminds me how beautiful each variety was.
If you're deciding which Calathea to buy, these pictures may help you see the differences more clearly.
Visit Us at Greenfingers
Thanks for reading! All the plants you see in my posts are lovingly raised right here at Greenfingers. We specialize in healthy, vibrant tropical plants and want to share the joy of gardening with the world.
If you’re a plant lover traveling through South Korea, feel free to stop by and say hello!
- Farm Name: Greenfingers (그린핑거스)
- Location: 42-6, Munbak-gil, Nangseong-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea (Postal Code: 28182)
- Follow us on Instagram: [@greenfingers.center]
"Growing happiness, one leaf at a time."
