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Calathea lietzei 'Stella' - Stella Calathea

Ed's Plant Shop  |  SKU: EDS00001728

Size
$39.99
Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

A Distinctive Variegated Beauty for the Serious Plant Collector

The Calathea Stella (Calathea lietzei ‘Stella’) is a refined and highly sought-after member of the Marantaceae family, prized for its dramatic variegation and graceful leaf movement. Sometimes mistaken for its relative the Calathea ‘White Fusion’, the Stella stands apart with its more stable variegation, broader leaves, and subtle violet undersides that shimmer in the right light. Each leaf is a living artwork—patterned with painterly strokes of green, cream, and silvery white that shift with humidity and light intensity.


What Makes Calathea Stella Unique?

  • Botanical Distinction: A cultivated form of Calathea lietzei, known for reliable variegation and elegant leaf form compared to the more temperamental ‘White Fusion.’
  • Striking Foliage: Broad, elliptical leaves showcase intricate marbling in green and white, with a soft violet-to-purple hue on the undersides—a hallmark of the species.
  • Dynamic Leaf Movement: True to the “prayer plant” family, its leaves gently rise and fold with the rhythm of daylight and darkness.
  • Air-Purifying and Pet Safe: Helps improve indoor air quality and is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Plant Profile

  • Scientific Name: Calathea lietzei ‘Stella’
  • Common Names: Calathea Stella, Stella Calathea, Prayer Plant
  • Family: Marantaceae
  • Native Range: Tropical regions of South America

Care and Growing Conditions

  • Light: Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun, which can fade the variegation.
  • Water: Keep soil evenly moist—never soggy. Allow the top inch to dry slightly before rewatering. Use filtered or distilled water for best results.
  • Humidity: High humidity (60–80%) promotes lush growth and vibrant color on the undersides.
  • Temperature: Prefers 65–80°F (18–27°C); protect from drafts and cold air.
  • Soil: A light, airy, peat- or coco-coir-based mix with perlite or orchid bark for drainage.
  • Feeding: Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during active growth (spring through summer).
  • Growth Habit: Compact and bushy; mature plants reach up to 18–24 inches tall.
  • Propagation: Best propagated by root division during repotting.
  • Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and pets.

Note: The purple tone on the leaf undersides may appear more subtle or intense depending on lighting, humidity, and overall plant health. This natural variation is part of the plant’s charm and an indicator of its adaptability.


➡️ For more expert insights, explore our Calathea Care Guide — including detailed watering techniques, humidity solutions, and bottom-watering tips tailored for Marantaceae plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping

How do you ship your plants?

We carefully package each plant with love by hand right from our shop in Brooklyn. Extra steps are taken to ensure that every leaf arrives in pristine shape by using polyfill and encapsulating the plant in a protective paper sleeve. The soil is also hydrated before shipping so that the plant has plenty of water for it's travel to your doorstep. We offer several shipping speeds, so please choose the one that you feel comfortable with depending on your location. 

Will my plant look like the one on the website?

Awesome question, we're glad you asked. Given the nature of our plant shop, we're constantly moving plants in and out of the shop, making it difficult and borderline impossible to keep an exact picture of each plant. In addition to the constantly rotating crop, we often grow in batches of 6, 12, or sometimes more! With this quantity we are unable to take a photo of each and every plant. The photos that we attach to each product listing is going to be of a plant that represents the average size and fullness of that set of plants. Some may be slightly larger or smaller, but in general, similar.

Do you include heat packs with your plants?

We offer Heat Packs for sale separately from the plants in 40, 60 and 72 hour increments. Please add a heat pack or two to your order if you live in an area where your order may be affected during transit by cold temperatures. We are not responsible for orders that are placed and damage is incurred to the plant if a heat pack is not purchased.

Which heat pack should I choose?

Heat packs come in three different increments, so please choose the appropriate hour increment depending on the speed of shipping that you choose during checkout. For example, if you choose a cheaper shipping option that will take longer, please select the 72 hour heat pack. If you've chosen a shorter method of shipping, the 40 or 60 hour increment would work! We like to encourage our customers to always get more than you need, just to be on the safe side!

How long will it take to receive my order?

Standard shipping normally takes 3-5 days. Next day shipping is available on all domestic orders (for an additional charge). International shipping times depend on the products and destination (estimated at checkout).

Do you offer express shipping?

All orders are shipped 5-8 business days from the date it is placed. Please note that as a small plant shop, we do everything in our power to get orders out as fast as we can in the order that they come in. If you have circumstances that require expedited fulfillment, please connect with you and we can potentially offer options. 

What countries do you ship to?

We ship our selection of rare, healthy, and unique houseplants all across the United States including California. At this time, due to customs and agricultural limitations, we are unable to ship plants internationally from the United States.

Returns and Refunds

How do I return a product?

Items must be returned within 30 days after receiving your order. Items must be returned in the same condition in which they were received, be unworn/unused, have any tags still attached, and include all the original packaging.

How long will it take to receive my refund?

Refunds are processed within 7 days from when we receive the item(s).

What should I do if my plant arrives in poor shape? 

In the extremely unlikely event that your plant arrives in less than perfect condition, you're covered by our 15-day plant health guarantee. Simply snap a photo of your plant and send it over to us. We'll happily take a peek and offer suggestions on how to perk it back up, offer a store credit, or send a replacement. We like to make it as easy as possible!

Can I return or exchange a plant?

At this time, we do not accept returns on plants. In extreme circumstances where a return of a plant is necessary, the customer is responsible for the return shipping and a refund will only be issued if the plant arrives back to us in living condition.