Goeppertia picturata ‘Argentea’

Origin and background

‘Argentea’ is a cultivated form of Goeppertia picturata. The species is native to northern Brazil, including Amazonas, Acre and Tocantins. In the wild it grows in humid tropical forest across this part of Brazil.

Its natural habitat is warm and sheltered, with filtered light and regular moisture around the roots.

Care guide for ‘Argentea’

• Light: Keep it in medium to bright indirect light. Strong direct sun can burn the pale centres, and deep shade can slow growth.
• Watering: Keep the mix evenly moist and freely draining. Water as the surface begins to dry, then allow the pot to drain freely. Cooler or darker conditions lengthen the drying time, so check the mix before watering again.
• Humidity: Keep humidity high, especially when indoor air is dry. Around 60% is a useful target in heated rooms.
• Temperature: Keep it above about 16°C. Cold draughts and abrupt temperature changes can mark the foliage.
• Potting mix: Use a moisture-retentive, well-drained mix with enough bark, perlite or similar material to keep air around the roots after watering.
• Feeding: Use a diluted balanced fertiliser every four weeks or so while new leaves are forming. Pause feeding once leaf production slows.
• Structure: The low clump is self-supporting. Leave enough space around the plant for new leaves to unfurl freely.
• Repotting: Step up to a slightly larger container after roots and rhizomes have filled the current pot.
• Propagation: Divide the clump, keeping each new section well rooted and large enough to carry several leaves.

Issues and solutions

• Brown or crisp edges: Dry air, irregular watering or mineral-heavy water can mark the pale foliage quickly. Water more consistently, raise humidity and try lower-mineral water if needed; see the brown leaf tips guide for the main causes.
• Leaves curling inward: The plant may be too dry or exposed to hot, dry air. Check the root ball and water thoroughly if needed. After watering, keep the plant warm and raise humidity if the air is very dry.
• Yellowing leaves: If the mix stays wet, let it dry a little more between waterings and make sure excess water can drain away. If roots have turned soft or brown, disinfect your scissors before cutting them off, discard the removed rot and replant into fresh free-draining mix.
• Fine speckles or webbing: Spider mites are a likely cause. Isolate ‘Argentea’ and clean both sides of the leaves, then use a houseplant treatment labelled for spider mites. Repeat only at the interval given on the label.
• Bleached, dry patches in the silver centre: Direct sun can burn the lighter tissue. Move the plant back into filtered light and use the bright indirect light guide if the position is hard to judge.

Goeppertia picturata ‘Argentea’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Calathea picturata and Goeppertia picturata: why did the name change?

The genus name Goeppertia honours Heinrich Göppert. The epithet picturata means painted.

Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck established the genus Goeppertia in 1831 in Linnaea, volume 6, page 337.

Karl Heinrich Emil Koch and Jean Jules Linden first described it as Calathea picturata in 1863 in Wochenschrift des Vereines zur Beförderung des Gartenbaues in den Königlich Preussischen Staaten, volume 6, page 346. Finn Borchsenius and Luz Stella Suárez later placed it in Goeppertia as Goeppertia picturata in 2012 in Systematic Botany, volume 37, page 633.

The familiar former name is Calathea picturata. Finn Borchsenius, Luz Stella Suárez and Linda M. Prince restored Goeppertia for this group in 2012 in Systematic Botany, volume 37.