Goeppertia bachemiana
Goeppertia bachemiana (Silver Calathea) Care Guide
Featured photogoeppertia-bachemiana.jpgGoeppertia bachemiana, sold as Silver Calathea, is a member of *Goeppertia*, a Marantaceae genus of about 250 species, most reclassified from *Calathea* in 2012. A Brazilian Goeppertia (formerly Calathea bachemiana) with elongated lance-shaped leaves marked in silver-grey along the midrib and main veins, the silver patterning standing out against darker green leaf tissue. Like most prayer plants the leaves fold upward at night and open by day — the nyctinasty that gives the family its name.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 1 to 2 cm of mix has dried, then water thoroughly.
- Humidity
- 60–80 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Peat-based, well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite for aeration.
- Origin
- Tropical forest understorey of Central and South America.
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm tall depending on species.
Overview
Goeppertia bachemiana sits in Goeppertia, the genus that absorbed most ornamental Calathea in 2012. A Brazilian Goeppertia (formerly Calathea bachemiana) with elongated lance-shaped leaves marked in silver-grey along the midrib and main veins, the silver patterning standing out against darker green leaf tissue. The family Marantaceae contains about 550 species across the tropics, almost all sharing the prayer-plant nyctinasty and the foliage-first ornamental appeal.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light, never direct midday sun.
- Evenly moist soil — neither soggy nor dry.
- Humidity above 60 percent prevents leaf-edge crisping.
- Water with rainwater or distilled water to avoid leaf burn.
Common Problems
Crispy leaf edges trace back to dry air, hard water, or inconsistent watering. Curled leaves signal thirst or low humidity. Yellow lower leaves with sour-smelling pot mean root rot.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
How is G. bachemiana different from G. lancifolia?
Both have lance-shaped leaves with silver markings, but G. bachemiana has a dominant silver central band along the midrib while G. lancifolia carries oval silver patches between the main veins. G. bachemiana also stays smaller in cultivation, rarely exceeding 30 cm tall.
Why are the leaves curling at night?
Goeppertia and other Marantaceae fold their leaves upward at night — that's the family's namesake nyctinasty, not a stress response. The leaves open again in the morning under good conditions.
Why are the edges browning?
Browning leaf edges trace back to tap-water minerals (fluoride and chlorine concentrate at leaf margins), low humidity, or uneven watering. Switch to filtered or rainwater and aim for at least 60 percent humidity.
