Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Furry Feather Calathea

Calathea rufibarba

A distinctive Calathea with elongated, wavy green leaves and unique furry, reddish undersides.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–27 °C

How to care for your Furry Feather Calathea

Everything you need to keep your Furry Feather Calathea healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Furry Feather Calathea offers a unique tactile experience with its soft, velvety hairs on the undersides of its leaves and stems. Its deep green, lance-shaped leaves have wavy margins and grow upright, displaying a graceful silhouette. Like its Calathea relatives, it performs nyctinasty, closing its leaves at night. It requires consistent humidity and warmth to prevent leaf crisping and maintain its lush appearance.

Watering your Furry Feather Calathea

Every 7 days

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, using lukewarm, filtered water.

How to know it needs water

topsoil is dry to touch
leaves may feel less firm

How much light a Furry Feather Calathea needs

Bright indirect light

bright indirect

Direct sun tolerated: No direct sun
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

high Maintain high ambient humidity through misting, humidifiers, or grouping with other plants.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Apply a diluted feed monthly during the active growing season (spring to early autumn).

Recommended feed: balanced liquid fertilizer · 3-1-2

Repotting your Furry Feather Calathea

Every 24 months

Repot into a slightly larger container with fresh, peat-based, well-draining soil.

When: spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre, pine bark

The tell-tale signs

roots emerging from the pot
drainage issues

Pruning your Furry Feather Calathea

as needed Remove any discolored or damaged leaves by cutting them close to the soil line.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 11 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

11 J
9 F
7 M
6 A
6 M
6 J
6 J
6 A
7 S
8 O
9 N
11 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Its common name comes from the fuzzy, reddish hairs covering the leaf stems and undersides.
The leaves have an elegant, elongated shape, contrasting with the plant's soft texture.

Frequently asked questions about the Furry Feather Calathea

How do you care for a Furry Feather Calathea?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–27 °C. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, using lukewarm, filtered water.

How often should you water a Furry Feather Calathea?

Every 7 days Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, using lukewarm, filtered water. How to know it needs water : topsoil is dry to touch ; leaves may feel less firm.

How much light does a Furry Feather Calathea need?

Bright indirect light bright indirect No direct sun

Is the Furry Feather Calathea toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Furry Feather Calathea is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Furry Feather Calathea leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Furry Feather Calathea?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger container with fresh, peat-based, well-draining soil.