Jungle Velvet Calathea
Long, velvety dark green leaves with a pale green fishtail pattern down the centre and wine-red undersides. A big, soft calathea that flowers in cream cones and asks for the usual humidity.
Jungle velvet is the calathea that feels like fabric. The leaves are long, deep green and genuinely velvety, with a paler green feathered pattern down the midrib, and the undersides are a rich maroon. It grows into a big, loose clump to three feet, and in spring a mature plant sends up cream-white flower cones that turn pink, which most calatheas never do indoors.
Care is the family standard. The velvet is a little prone to spider mites in dry air and to marking if water sits on it, but the leaves are thick enough to cope with ordinary humidity better than the thin-leaved types.
Light
Medium, indirect light. A north window or filtered east light. Direct sun scorches the velvet and fades the pattern. It tolerates fairly low light and stays dark and glossy in it.
Water
Evenly moist, watered when the top inch is dry, every five days in summer and every eight in winter, with filtered or rain water. Water the soil, not the leaves. Drain and never leave standing water.
Soil and potting
A moisture-holding, airy mix with coco coir and perlite, in a pot with drainage. Repot every eighteen months in spring into a pot two inches wider; it grows large.
Feeding
Quarter-strength balanced feed every four weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation
Division in spring. Separate rooted sections of the clump and pot up.
In a hot, dry home
Manageable with a humidifier or pebble tray and a group of plants. The velvet leaves invite spider mites in dry air, so shower the plant now and then and check the undersides. Keep it far from the AC vent and use filtered water. It handles a dry house better than orbifolia or makoyana.
Jungle Velvet Calathea varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Furry Feather
Goeppertia rufibarba: narrower, wavy, fuzzy leaves with the same velvet feel and burgundy undersides. Same care.
Problems and fixes
Brown leaf edges
Likely cause: Dry air or hard water
Fix: Humidify; filtered water.
Fine webbing on the undersides
Likely cause: Spider mites
Fix: Shower, humidify, treat with insecticidal soap.
Leaves curling
Likely cause: Thirsty or drafty
Fix: Water; move away from vents.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Let the top inch dry first.
Jungle Velvet Calathea questions
Is jungle velvet calathea pet safe?
Yes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Does it really flower?
Yes, more reliably than most calatheas. Mature plants produce cream cone-shaped flowers in spring that blush pink as they age.
Can I wipe the leaves?
Gently, with a dry soft brush. Wet cloths mark the velvet. A quick lukewarm shower is fine as long as it dries within an hour.
