Calathea dressleri ‘Helen Kennedy’
A truly rare variety Calathea, the Helen Kennedy features a striking dark patterned foliage, resembling a peacock.
Rarely on offer, a must have for all the Calathea collectors.
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Plant Biography
Related to prayer plants, bananas and gingers, this species is well adapted to humid tropical environments. Tolerant of full sun to partial shade it requires the challenging combination of well drained soils that remain constantly moist.
Calathea dressleri was first described by botanist Helen Kennedy from collections made in Panama.
The bright contrasting patterns and colours of the leaves are reminiscent of the spectacular plumage of male peacocks.
At ‘home’ in the higher elevation cloud forests of Central America where rain showers begin at 1 pm every day.
Who is Helen Kennedy?
The Calathea dressleri was named after American botanist Helen Kennedy who has conducted extensive research in the Marantaceae family, especially Calathea and Maranta in the tropical forests of Ecuador and Panama.
She holds a PhD at University of California on cross-pollination of Calatheas. She has worked on flora projects including Flora Mesoamericana, Flora of the Guianas, Manual de las plantas de Costa Rica and Flora of Nicaragua, and is a member of the Heliconia Society International.
Several other plants were named after her, including Philodendron heleniae and Guzmania kennedyae.
Expert Tip
Care Size & Guidance
The plant thrives in a humid environment, with relative humidity of 60 – 70%. It makes it an ideal plant for a bathroom or a bedroom.
Fertilise periodically with a half strength balanced sea weed based fertiliser. Do not fertilise when the flowers are showing. Keep the soil moist to touch at all times.
Within the average home, this plant and its relatives are prone to infestations of spider mites as the relative humidity is too low.
Expert Tip
Rest time and revival
Periodically, the plant will flower, however the flowers are quite inconspicuous. Once the flowering period has ended, the plant may go dormant, dropping all its leaves. It can stay dormant for up to 1 – 2 months, during which time it will look like an empty pot.
Keep the pot dry during this time, in a cool dark spot. Once ready to revive, provide the plant with a ‘wake up’ tea, made from one tea bag in one litre of cold water, cold brewed for 5 minutes. This will simulate the arrival of the rainy season.
Move the plant to a warm place, with plenty of indirect light and cover with a plastic bag or place in a terrarium to keep high humidity around the newly growing leaves. Remove the cover once 2-3 leaves have fully unfurled.
Absolutely stunning foliage, still lush and happy after one year from getting it from The Palm Centre. I had the rare opportunity to get my hands on one of these Calatheas, as I hear theyre very rare. Amazing quality and very good service every single time!
Hilary G –