Calathea Leopardina
Calathea leopardina is distinguished by its lush, vibrant foliage, characterized by its bright green color and the unique, leopard-like spots and markings that adorn each leaf. The leaves are broad and oval-shaped, with a smooth texture that enhances the visual appeal of the plant.
It belongs to the Marantaceae family, known as 'Prayer Plants,' which, much like humans and unlike most plants, have a wake-and-sleep cycle according to a circadian rhythm. This means the leaves move upwards during the night and downwards throughout the day in search of the sun.
This plant prefers moderate indirect light. As it is native to the tropical rainforest floor, its leaves will burn in bright direct sunlight. If light is too low, it will slow the growth of the plant and increase the chance of overwatering as the plant consumes less water.
The soil for this plant should be kept consistently moist, but it will not tolerate standing water. It is important that the pot and soil are both well draining. If the leaves begin to wilt and turn crispy and brown at the edges, it means the soil is too dry, and watering should be increased. If a Maranta is overwatered, the leaves will yellow and root rot will occur.