Pleiostachya pruinosa Calathea Wheat
Description
Pleiostachya pruinosa, commonly known as Calathea Wheat or Frosted Calathea, is a striking tropical plant known for its unique, frosted foliage and elegant appearance. This plant is highly valued for its ornamental beauty and distinctive leaves, making it a popular choice for indoor decoration and shaded garden beds.
Flowers
The Calathea Wheat produces small, white to pale pink flowers that grow in clusters on short inflorescences near the base of the plant. While the flowers are not particularly showy, they add a delicate touch to the overall appearance of the plant.
Foliage
The leaves are large, elongated, and lance-shaped, with a striking frosted appearance due to a light coating of fine hairs. The upper surface of the leaves is a silvery-green color with darker green veins, while the underside is typically a rich purple. Each leaf can reach up to 30-50 cm in length, creating a lush and tropical look.
Fruit
The fruit of Calathea Wheat is not significant for ornamental purposes. The primary appeal of this plant lies in its foliage.
Form and Size
The Calathea Wheat typically grows to a height of 60-90 cm with a spread of 60-90 cm. It has a clumping growth habit, forming dense clusters of foliage. The stems are short and often hidden by the overlapping leaves, contributing to its compact and bushy appearance.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, rich, organic soil. Thrives in moist, fertile conditions and can tolerate a range of soil types, including loamy and peaty soils.
- Sunlight: Grows best in partial to full shade. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it prefers bright, indirect light or shaded areas.
- Water: Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. High humidity levels are beneficial.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. Prefers warm, humid conditions and is frost-sensitive.
Uses
- Indoor Plant: Ideal for indoor decoration in homes and offices due to its compact size and striking foliage. Can be placed in pots or decorative containers.
- Landscaping: Suitable for shaded garden beds, tropical-themed landscapes, and as an understory plant in larger gardens. Adds texture and color to shaded areas.
- Containers: Can be grown in containers for patios, verandas, and indoor spaces with sufficient light and humidity.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
Calathea Wheat is a versatile and visually striking plant that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any indoor or shaded garden space. Its frosted, silvery-green leaves and compact growth habit make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts and interior designers. It thrives in shaded environments, making it an excellent choice for indoor cultivation and low-light areas.
Companion Plants
- Calathea spp. (Other Calatheas)
- Spathiphyllum spp. (Peace Lily)
- Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf Philodendron)
- Ferns (Various genera and species
Common Name
Calathea Wheat, Frosted Calathea
Botanical Name
Pleiostachya pruinosa
Family
Marantaceae
Origin
Native to Central and South America, particularly tropical rainforests
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
