How to Identify Calathea Warscewiczii vs Zebrina

There are lots of Calathea Varieties. Two of them are the Calathea Warscewiczii and the Calathea Zebrina. Calathea warscewiczii is common Calathea, while Calathea Zebrina is rare Calathea. By the way, how to identify Calathea Warscewiczii and Calathea Zebrina? Here you are going to get that information, so read the text until the end.

Identify Calathea Warscewiczii vs Zebrina

Read this explanation below to identify Calathea Warscewiczii vs Calathea Zebrina!

Calathea Warscewiczii

Lots of people have trouble pronouncing this Calathea’s Latin name. It is commonly known as Velvet Touch. True to its name, the species has irresistible soft and velvety leaves.

Calathea Warscewiczii Distinguishing features:

• Leaf shape and size

The leaves of the Calathea Warscewiczii are long and lance-shaped. Mature plants are going to have leaves over a foot long.

• Leaf texture

This Calathea Warscewiczii is best known for its velvety leaf texture.

• Leaf color and variegation pattern

Calathea Warscewiczii has dark green with a distinct light green fishtail pattern along the center vein. Also, the leaf undersides are deep purple. This species is frequently confused with Calathea Albertii due to their similar patterning. But, Calathea Albertii does not have the same velvety texture to its leaves, thus that is how you distinguish them from a true Velvet Touch.

• Plant size and growth habit

Calathea Warscewiczii is another one of the larger Calathea species. It has an ability to grow up to three feet tall. It has an upright, clumping habit.

• Flowers

Mature Calathea Warzcewiczii will produce creamy yellow and white flowers on long spikes. Those flowers will look like roses when viewed from above.

To care for Calathea Warscewiczii:

Your Calathea Warscewiczii needs the same type of care as other Calathea. To propagate this plant, rather than try to take a cutting, you need to split the roots and rhizome into two or more plants when repotting.

For your information, Calathea Warscewiczii is named after Józef Warszewicz, a Polish botanist, biologist, and plant collector.

Calathea Zebrina    

Calathea Zebrina is part of the family Marantaceae and this plant is popular as an indoor plant. Although Calathea zebrina grows taller and is a little more difficult to grow. It’s a tropical plant native to Brazil, Calathea mostly requires a warm and humid environment to encourage its foliage to grow  and look attractive.

Calathea Zebrina Distinguishing features:

• Leaf shape and size

The oblong leaves will be able to grow to be over 12 inches long.

• Leaf texture

The Calathea Zebrina’s leaves are thick and velvety to the touch.

• Leaf color and variegation pattern

Like many other Calatheas, this Calathea Zebrina has striped leaves. The background of Zebrina’s leaves is bright. Thick and dark green stripes extend from the center vein to the leaf margin.

• Plant size and growth habit

A mature Calathea Zebrina will grow a bit over 60 cm wide and tall.

• Flowers

Calathea Zebrina usually blooms in the spring with purplish-white flowers. This is rare if grown indoors.

To care for Calathea Zebrina:

Care for your plant as you would any other Calathea. You have to keep temperatures between 65°F and 85°F, keep the humidity up, and also pot in a coarse, well-draining soil mix.

For your information, this plant is going to fold its leaves at night. This species is native to Brazil.

How Are Both Calatheas Similar?

Need to know that most Calathea plants are tropical natives. That is why they share the same needs and also require similar conditions to grow well. If you select to care for either a Calathea Warscewiczii or a Calathea Zebrina, you will need to know the following basics of Calathea plant care:

Sunlight

The first factor to keep a plant alive is light. But, these Calatheas plants prefer indirect sunlight that will not burn their leaves. An easy method to do this is to place them in the shades of bright rooms.

Watering

The other factor to satisfy plant care is proper watering. Calatheas are not big fans. However, that being said, it does not mean you should not keep an eye on them.

This is where watering a Calathea will get complicated. A golden rule is to water them just when the top half-inch of the soil is dry. Another rule is to just use distilled water. Please remember to water it 2-3 per week in the summer and 1-2 times in the winter.

Humidity

The Calathea species thrive on high humidity levels. Usually, a humidity percentage of 50 or above is preferred. This is to help keep your plant moist at all times. There are lots of ways to reach this percentage of humidity around your Calathea plant. You are able to consider buying an air humidifier, misting the leaves regularly, or grouping your Calatheas together.

Temperature

The average room temperature of 65 to 75ºF is good for Calathea plants. Because they are tropical plants, they enjoy warm weather. That is why winter temperatures are extremely stressful. It means that you should not place them near cold air vents. That is because both cold and warm drafts harm your Calathea by drying out their soil–which should always be moist and finally killing it.

Potting and Soil

Besides keeping it moist, you also have to ensure the soil is well-drained. A pot with drainage holes will give a miracle for your Calathea plant. This will help keep the soil rich. Also, proper drainage will prevent the roots from rotting. In repotting your plant, you should not worry much. Both Calatheas will only need repotting once every 2-3 years. Unless, the roots have rotted. In this case, they need repotting immediately.

Fertilizer

Commonly Calatheas are not picky about their food. In fact, a standard houseplant fertilizer will be fine. But if you want, you are also able to use a green-leaf specialized fertilizer. Another good thing is that Calatheas do not need constant feeding. Excluding the winter season, you have to feed your plants every 2-3 weeks. Ensure to flush the soil out 5 times per year.

Potting Mix

The two Calatheas enjoy the same potting mix. This mix contains two parts peat moss or coir and one part perlite. It will keep the plant’s soil nutritious and rich.