Calathea vs Maranta vs Ctenanthe vs Goeppertia: How to Tell Them Apart

When it comes to prayer plants, things can get a little confusing—especially when your Calathea turns out not to be a Calathea at all! If you’ve ever been stumped trying to tell the difference between Calathea (ka-LAY-thee-uh), Maranta (muh-RAN-tuh), Ctenanthe (tee-NAN-thee), and Goeppertia (GEP-er-tee-uh or JEP-er-tee-uh), you’re not alone.

These gorgeous tropical plants are all part of the Marantaceae family and are known for their vibrant patterns and captivating leaf movements. But they each bring their own flair—and care needs—to your plant collection.

Let’s break it down with a side-by-side comparison.

🪴 Comparison Table

Feature	Calathea (legacy)	Maranta	Ctenanthe	Goeppertia (modern Calathea)
Common Name	Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant (older use)	Prayer Plant	Never Never Plant, Fishbone Prayer Plant	Rattlesnake Plant, Pinstripe, Orbifolia
Pronunciation	ka-LAY-thee-uh	muh-RAN-tuh	tee-NAN-thee	GEP-er-tee-uh or JEP-er-tee-uh
Leaf Movement	Moderate nyctinasty	Strong nyctinasty (folds up at night)	Minimal nyctinasty	Moderate to pronounced nyctinasty
Leaf Pattern	Wide variety, often feathery or peacock-like	Rounded leaves with herringbone patterns	Bold veining, fishbone or striped look	Wide range—oval to narrow with bold prints
Growth Habit	Upright	Low-growing, trailing or spreading	Upright, clumping	Upright, bushy
Leaf Shape	Oval to slightly elongated	Rounded to oval	Narrow, lance-shaped	Oval to long and narrow
Light Needs	Bright, indirect light	Tolerates lower light than others	Bright, indirect light	Bright, indirect light
Watering Needs	High humidity and consistent moisture	Prefers even moisture, less fussy	Consistently moist, not soggy	Moist, but allow top layer to dry slightly
Humidity Requirements	High humidity essential	Medium to high humidity	High humidity preferred	High humidity preferred
Temperature Tolerance	Warm temps, sensitive to drafts	More tolerant of temp swings	Warm temps, sensitive to cold	Warm temps, consistent environment
Propagation Method	Division	Division or stem cuttings	Division	Division
Difficulty Level	Higher maintenance	Easiest of the group	Moderate	Moderate to high maintenance
Pet Safety (ASPCA)	Non-toxic to pets	Non-toxic to pets	Non-toxic to pets	Non-toxic to pets
Key Differences for Identification	Often confused with Goeppertia; older name used for many bold-leaf types.	Short, rounded leaves with red veins. Trailing.	Long, narrow leaves with silver stripes or fishbone veins. Purple undersides common.	Includes many popular “Calatheas.” Oval or narrow leaves with stunning prints. Upright and bushy.

🤔 Wait, So Is Calathea Still a Thing?

Yes—but barely.

Most of the plants sold as “Calathea” in the houseplant trade are now officially Goeppertia. Over 200 species were reclassified, including favorites like:

• Calathea orbifolia → Goeppertia orbifolia
• Calathea lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant) → Goeppertia lancifolia
• Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant) → Goeppertia makoyana

The Calathea genus still exists, but it now includes only a small number of species that weren’t moved over—most of which are rarely seen in houseplant collections. Still, nurseries and shops often use “Calathea” on plant tags for familiarity.

🔄 Which Calatheas Are Now Goeppertia?

Most of the “Calatheas” you see in plant shops today are actually Goeppertia. In 2012, botanists reclassified many species based on new genetic data, shifting them into Goeppertia to better reflect their evolutionary relationships.

Here are some of the most popular ones that were reclassified:

✅ Common “Calathea” Now Classified as Goeppertia:

• Calathea ornata → Goeppertia ornata (Pinstripe Calathea)
• Calathea orbifolia → Goeppertia orbifolia
• Calathea lancifolia → Goeppertia lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant)
• Calathea makoyana → Goeppertia makoyana (Peacock Plant)
• Calathea roseopicta → Goeppertia roseopicta
• Calathea rufibarba → Goeppertia rufibarba (Velvet Calathea)
• Calathea zebrina → Goeppertia zebrina
• Calathea warscewiczii → Goeppertia warscewiczii

These are still widely labeled as “Calathea” in the nursery trade, so don’t worry—using the name Calathea won’t get you strange looks at your local plant shop.

🌱 TL;DR: Quick Tips for Telling Them Apart

• Calathea: Legacy name for many “prayer plants.” Still used but mostly outdated in classification.
• Maranta: Low-growing, rounded leaves with red or purple veins. Trailing habit and strong leaf movement.
• Ctenanthe: Narrow, lance-shaped leaves with silver or fishbone markings. Typically clumping. Purple undersides.
• Goeppertia: Most “Calatheas” you buy today. Oval or long leaves with bold patterns. Upright growth.

🌱 What’s Still Actually Calathea?

The true Calathea genus is now much smaller, with species you don’t typically see as houseplants. Most of these remaining species are either:

• Less decorative,
• More obscure in cultivation, or
• Native to very specific ecosystems.

Examples include:

• Calathea crotalifera – sometimes grown for its striking lobster-claw shaped flowers
• Calathea lutea – a larger landscape plant with paddle-shaped leaves and waxy bracts
• Calathea grandis – broad, bold foliage but not common as a houseplant

So while the genus still exists, most of the decorative prayer plants we know and love have officially moved on to Goeppertia.

👀 Quick Visual ID Tip

If you’re trying to tell these plants apart at a glance, here’s a handy shortcut:

• Calathea – Typically has solid green or subtly veined leaves, especially in the species that remain in the true Calathea genus. Less dramatic patterning.
• Maranta – Look for rounded leaves with red or purple veins and an iconic herringbone pattern. Often trails or spreads low.
• Ctenanthe – Has narrower leaves with striped or fishbone markings, often silver and green. Undersides may be purple.
• Goeppertia – Features the boldest patterns—from feathered, striped, to pinstriped—and often has oval to long leaves in upright clumps. Most “Calatheas” sold in stores are actually Goeppertia.

💡 If the leaf has dramatic graphic striping or contrast, it’s probably Goeppertia. If it’s more muted or solid, it may still be a true Calathea.

🌿 Conclusion

Whether you’re a new plant parent or a seasoned collector, understanding the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between Calathea, Maranta, Ctenanthe, and Goeppertia can help you provide better care—and show off your plant knowledge with confidence.

While plant tags may not always keep up with taxonomy, your attention to detail will make all the difference in keeping these beautiful prayer plants thriving.

Have a favorite among the four? Drop a comment and let us know what’s growing in your space 🌱