The genus calathea includes some of the most beautiful tropical plants in the world, characterized by boldly marked, oblong leaves in a dazzling array of colors. Due to the plant’s eye-catching stripes and veining, they’re often known by nicknames such as the zebra plant, peacock plant, or rattlesnake plant.

Native to Brazil and grown indoors year-round, calathea are true tropicals in every sense of the word, gaining a reputation for being somewhat fussy about their grow conditions. For more information, read how to care for calathea.