Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba potted plant in nursery pot on white background.

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba close-up of leaf on white background.

Marantaceae

Goeppertia rufibarba

Prayer Plant

Pet Friendly

Long, softly waved dark-green leaves reveal burgundy backs, while fine reddish hairs cover the leaf stalks and lower surfaces. The leaves rise from the base and arch outward around the clump.

Read full guide to Goeppertia rufibarba

€40,00

VAT included · plus

Plant size: Pot Ø 17 cmapprox. 65 cm tall

Sizes are approximate. Height is measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant; diameter at the widest point.

4.6/5 store rating · 20,000+ customers served

Hand-checked before shipping

28-day plant guarantee

Tracked shipping

Care at a glance

Goeppertia rufibarba

Light

Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux

Watering

Water when ~20–30% dry

Substrate

Moisture-retentive but aerated • Evenly moist • Organic-leaning • Fine-medium

Temperature

Ideal: 18–24 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C

Humidity

High 60–80% +

Growth habit

Upright clumping rhizomatous herbaceous perennial.

Support

not needed

Growth speed

Average

Cultivated size guide

Height: 100 cm • Spread: 70 cm

Toxicity & safety

Non-toxic

Origin & habitat

Native to Brazil (Bahia)

Outdoor growing

Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot

How to read these values

These care values give practical guidance for growing the plant. Adjust care for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.

For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.

Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.

Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
Growth speed: expected pace under suitable growing conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.

Cultivated size guide: approximate dimensions for an established plant in the stated growing context. Height is measured upwards from the growing surface; foliage height excludes flower stems. Trailing length follows a stem, while foliage drop is the vertical distance from the crown to the lowest leaf tips. Spread is the width of the leafy plant or crown, not an individual leaf. Flowering height includes the flower stems. A container guide applies to pot-grown plants; an in-ground guide applies to plants rooted in the ground. Size also depends on age, conditions, pot space and training.

These figures do not describe the size supplied and are not fixed upper limits.

Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.

Goeppertia rufibarba

Long, narrow dark-green leaves rise upright and then arch outward as they lengthen. The margins are softly waved, and burgundy colouring on the reverse becomes visible whenever a leaf turns or rises.

Reddish hairs line the stalks and lower leaf surfaces, adding a soft texture beneath the dark-green foliage. New shoots emerge from the base and gradually widen the plant into a dense clump.

Key features of Goeppertia rufibarba

Long, narrow dark-green leaves with softly waved margins
Burgundy to reddish-purple leaf undersides
Fine reddish hairs on leaf stalks and lower leaf surfaces
Leaves rise upright, then arch outward as they lengthen
Plain green upper surfaces with an even, unpatterned look

Origin & background

Natural origin of Goeppertia rufibarba

Goeppertia rufibarba is native to Bahia in north-eastern Brazil and grows in the wet tropics.

Plant care

How to care for Goeppertia rufibarba

Repotting: Repot once the roots fill the container or the mix becomes compacted or stops draining well.
Leaf care: Direct water into the pot so the softly hairy foliage stays dry during routine watering. Remove dust with a soft dry brush or a very gentle cloth, and avoid leaf-shine products on the fine hairs.
Water: Maintain even moisture while the plant is actively growing, allowing only the surface to start drying between waterings. Drain excess water fully and water less often when cooler or darker conditions slow water use.
Light: Bright indirect light or partial shade works well. Keep the long leaves out of strong direct sun, which can bleach or crisp the surface.
Temperature and humidity: Aim for 18–24 °C, keeping the plant clear of prolonged chilling below 15 °C. Provide about 60–80% humidity.
Potting mix: Use an airy mix that holds moisture while allowing excess water to drain freely.
Feeding: Give a light balanced feed while new leaves are emerging, and reduce feeding when growth slows.
Propagation: Propagate by splitting a mature clump into rooted sections, each with an active growing point.

Issues & solutions

Common problems with Goeppertia rufibarba

Crisp tips on the long leaves: Dry air, uneven moisture or mineral build-up are common causes. Increase humidity, water more consistently and consider lower-mineral water if new growth keeps developing brown tips.
Leaves remain tightly rolled during the day: Check whether the root ball is dry or the plant is cold. Water thoroughly only when needed and move it away from cold draughts or intense heat.
Several leaves yellow while the mix stays wet: When several leaves yellow in wet mix, check drainage and inspect the roots if decline continues. Preserve firm, healthy roots regardless of their natural brown colour. Remove only clearly mushy, hollow or foul-smelling decay with disinfected scissors and refresh degraded mix in a pot that fits the remaining roots.
Fine pale speckling or webbing: Inspect leaf undersides for live spider mites or fine webbing. Isolate the plant if mites are confirmed, and gently clean mature foliage. Use only a locally authorised product for spider mites on indoor ornamentals when necessary, following its permitted sites, dose and repeat interval.
Silvery scars on new leaves: Examine folded new growth for living thrips, black specks or fresh silver feeding marks without forcing the leaf open. Isolate a confirmed infestation and use only a locally authorised treatment for thrips on indoor ornamentals. Treat tender or folded new leaves only where the label explicitly permits this, and follow its sites, dose and repeat interval.

Safety

Goeppertia rufibarba 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.

Names & etymology

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

The genus name Goeppertia honours Heinrich Göppert. Rufibarba means reddish-bearded and refers to the fine reddish hairs below the leaves.

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

Eduard Fenzl first described it as Calathea rufibarba in 1879 in Gartenflora, volume 28, page 294. Finn Borchsenius and Luz Stella Suárez later placed it in Goeppertia as Goeppertia rufibarba in 2012 in Systematic Botany, volume 37, page 634.

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

Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.