Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’

Cultivated form and natural range of Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’ is a named cultivar of Goeppertia rufibarba, a species native to Bahia in north-eastern Brazil.

Care for Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’

• Leaf care: Direct water into the pot and avoid coating the softly hairy undersides with leaf-shine products. Dust can be removed carefully with a soft brush.
• Humidity: Maintain high humidity, around 60–80%, with gentle airflow around the long leaves.
• Water: Water when the surface of the potting mix begins to dry, keeping the mix evenly moist. Empty excess water from outer pots.
• Light: Give plenty of filtered light and keep the long dark-green leaves away from hot direct sun.
• Temperature: The plant grows comfortably at 16–21 °C and should not remain below 15 °C for long. Keep conditions close to and move the plant away from cold glass, radiators and strong draughts.
• Potting mix: Choose a mix that holds some moisture with enough coarse material to keep air around the roots.
• Feeding: Use a light balanced feed while fresh leaves are developing.
• Repotting: Repot only when roots are crowded or drainage has deteriorated.
• Propagation: Lift and divide the clump, keeping healthy roots and a growing point on every section.

Troubleshooting Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’

• Several leaves become suddenly limp: Check the root ball and room temperature before watering. Rehydrate if the mix is genuinely dry; if it is already wet, empty any standing water and let the surface begin to dry. If the base turns soft or the mix develops a sour smell, unpot the plant and inspect the roots. Cut away rotten roots with clean, disinfected scissors. Discard them, then repot in fresh potting mix that drains freely.
• Tips become dry and papery: Low humidity, inconsistent watering or minerals in the water can be responsible. Water more consistently, raise humidity and change to lower-mineral water if the newest leaves still burn.
• Pale or bleached patches appear on the window side: Strong sun has likely scorched the tissue. Move the plant into filtered light. Existing damaged areas will remain visible. New leaves should develop normally once the plant is protected from strong sun.
• Fine webbing develops along the underside: Isolate the plant and check for spider mites. Use a houseplant treatment labelled for mites. Repeat as directed on the label.
• New leaves show silvery scars or distortion: Inspect rolled growth for thrips. Keep the plant separate and use a houseplant product labelled for thrips. Repeat as directed on the label.

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’ 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.

Which name is used now: Calathea rufibarba or Goeppertia rufibarba?

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.