Goeppertia burle-marxii
Goeppertia burle-marxii (Fishbone Prayer Plant) Care Guide
Featured photogoeppertia-burle-marxii.jpgGoeppertia burle-marxii, sold under the common name Fishbone Prayer Plant, is a tropical Marantaceae understorey plant kept indoors for its patterned foliage. Named for the Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, it is prized for its silvery-blue leaves with deep green chevrons that resemble a fishbone pattern. Like most members of the genus, it prefers bright filtered light, evenly moist soil, and humidity above 60 percent — the leaves curl and brown at the edges when air is too dry or watering is uneven.
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.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic. Considered safe to grow around people. (humans) · Non-toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA listings for the Marantaceae family. (pets)
- Origin
- Tropical forest understorey of Central and South America.
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm tall depending on species, similar spread.
Overview
Goeppertia burle-marxii was reclassified from Calathea into Goeppertia in 2012 along with most ornamental species in the genus. Named for the Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, it is prized for its silvery-blue leaves with deep green chevrons that resemble a fishbone pattern. The leaves fold upward at night — the prayer-plant nyctinasty that Marantaceae is named for.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light, never direct midday sun.
- Evenly moist soil — neither soggy nor dry.
- Humidity above 60 percent; group with other tropicals or use a pebble tray.
- Water with rainwater or distilled water to avoid leaf-edge burn.
- Divide every two to three years to refresh growth.
Common Problems
Crispy leaf edges almost always trace back to dry air, hard water, or inconsistent watering. Curled leaves point at thirst or low humidity. Yellow lower leaves with a sour-smelling pot mean root rot — repot into fresh free-draining mix.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Why are the leaves curling on my Burle Marx Calathea?
Leaf curling in this species is the early sign of thirst or low humidity. Check the soil first; if the top 1 cm is dry, water thoroughly. If the soil is moist, raise humidity above 60 percent.
Why are my Goeppertia leaves browning at the edges?
Browning edges are usually caused by tap water (chlorine and fluoride accumulate in the leaf margins), low humidity, or dry root balls between waterings. Switch to rainwater or distilled water and aim for at least 60 percent humidity.
Should I mist this plant?
Misting raises humidity briefly but is not a substitute for ambient humidity above 60 percent. A humidifier or grouping with other plants is more effective and avoids fungal problems on the leaves.
