Flower of the Calathea medallion

Bernieh:

Very nice flowers!

They're hard to spot.. but quite pretty when you find them.

Lovely leaves, wouldnt mind whether it flowered or not......

Yes that's definitely the attraction with these plants Dotty - they have fantastic markings on their leaves.

Bernieh:

I see this plant mostly used as a house plant...however, sometimes it's used as a ground
cover in a shady spot outside in the garden. I've posted a photo just a couple of weeks ago...however, it didn't have flowers.

Hi Andy ... I've had lots of these over the years and grown them in shady spots outdoors ... never had them as indoor plants - actually I've never really been one for indoor plants! I only have two varieties of calathea at the moment and they're both outside in pots in my courtyard garden ... but in a mostly shady spot. They're both in flower right now.

Bernieh:

They are commonly sold as indoor plants because for most of the U. S. they cannot be grown outdoors...with the exception of South Florida, Southern California and extreme South Texas.

I don't have many indoor plant also...it not because I don't like indoor plants -- it's because I have so many problems with spider mites and scales.

Never had much of a problem growing them outdoors here - they have to be in a mostly shady cool spot though ... a little bit of morning sun keeps the markings visible.
As for indoor plants ... I still have the same problems with my outdoor pots as you did with your indoor plants.

Bernieh:

Yes, we do have to same problems with spider mites and scale and several other pests outside -- however, it easier to spray with pesticide or hose them off with water when they're outside. : > )

As far as Calathea growing here...I got a little confused (LOL!) I was thinking this plant was Maranta leuconeura or
Prayer plant. Calathea species grow much better outside and they do tolerate more light than Maranta species here.
Calathea is in the Marantaceae family (my excuse for the confusion and I'm sticking to it. LOL!)

Understandable ... I don't really know what the difference is. Both are from the Marantaceae family aren't they? We call the calatheas 'prayer plants' too because they close up their leaves. I have to rely on the labelling!

Bernieh:

Most genera in the Marantaceae family have species that will close up at night or when it's too sunny, hot or cold.

Hi Marguerite - yes these little flowers are rather hidden underneath aren't they? They are really lovely when you do find them.