Calathea burle-marxii 'Green Ice'

Calathea burle-marxii 'Green Ice'

Calathea, a name derived from the Greek 'kalathos' meaning basket are tropical herbaceous perennials so they are at their best during mid summer. This particular plant was named after the famous Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx and grows as a clump to about 1.5 metres with broad banana like leaves and striking flower stems up to 45cm .It likes a semi shade position and some humus rich soil but is otherwise fairly hardy. Like other herbaceous perennials ,the down time is in winter when the leaves get a bit tatty.and need to be cut back.There is another cultivar called 'Blue Ice' which has very pale blue flower heads In temperate climates Calathea make good container plants and they can be moved indoors during frosty weather.

2017 update: I no longer have this plant unfortunately.