Calathea 'Velvet Glory' (baby plant) - velvety, wavy leaves with burgundy undersides

Calathea 'Velvet Glory', also listed botanically as Goeppertia gandersii 'Velvet Glory', is a striking tropical houseplant, prized for its deeply wavy leaves, velvety texture, and pattern in shades of light and dark green. The undersides of the leaves are burgundy-red, creating a striking contrast when the leaves rise in the evening. The RHS confirms the cultivar's association with Goeppertia gandersii and notes its velvety texture, wavy leaves, and dark burgundy undersides.

Like other Calatheas, 'Velvet Glory' displays nyctinasty: its leaves change position throughout the day, rising in the evening and opening again in the morning. It has a compact, bushy growth habit, producing several leaves from the base of the plant.

🌿 Botanical characteristics

• Common name: Calathea 'Velvet Glory'
• Botanical name used: Goeppertia gandersii 'Velvet Glory'
• Family: Marantaceae
• Plant type: tropical perennial, grown for its foliage
• Growth habit: compact, bushy
• Leaves: broad, wavy, and strongly textured
• Texture: velvety
• Upper leaf color: light green and dark green
• Leaf undersides: burgundy to dark red
• Growth: moderate
• Mature size: can reach approximately 50-100 cm in favorable conditions
• Use: indoor plant, Marantaceae collections, premium tropical decor

☀️ Growing conditions and care

• Light: prefers bright, indirect light; also tolerates partial shade
• Watering: keep the substrate slightly moist, without allowing water to stagnate
• Water: preferably filtered water, rainwater, or water with low salt content
• Substrate: fertile, airy, and well-draining
• Humidity: appreciates high atmospheric humidity
• Temperature: prefers temperatures above 15°C, ideally around 18-27°C
• In winter: reduce watering slightly without letting the substrate dry out completely
• Fertilizing: moderate, during the active growing period
• Position: sheltered from direct sunlight, cold drafts, and very dry air
• Cold hardiness: a tropical plant with no frost hardiness; RHS rates it H1A, for protected cultivation at temperatures above 15°C. 

🌱 Secret Garden substrate recommendation

👉 We recommend a light, airy, organic-rich, well-draining substrate that retains a moderate amount of moisture without becoming waterlogged. Adding perlite or other components that improve aeration can be beneficial.

You can order it here: https://secretgarden.ro/products/substrat-araceae

✨ What makes it special

• deeply wavy leaves
• highly decorative velvety texture
• a spectacular contrast between the green upper surface and the burgundy underside
• the leaves change position between day and night
• compact, bushy growth
• sophisticated tropical look
• a less common variety in Calathea collections

📌 Note

The shape, degree of waviness, texture, and color intensity may naturally vary from one leaf to another and from one plant to another.

Calathea is sensitive to dry air, hard water, direct sunlight, and sudden temperature changes. Leaves may develop dry edges or tips, spots, small tears, or creases, especially after shipping or during acclimatization. These are primarily cosmetic issues and do not normally affect the plant's viability.

Older leaves may naturally deteriorate over time as the plant produces new leaves from the base.

The ceramic pot is not included in the price.

Height including pot: approx. 12 cm