John&Jacq~s Garden

Calathea lutea (Cuban Cigar), an exotic tropical stunner!

Calathea lutea (Cigar Calathea, Cuban/Havana Cigar, Pampano)

Weren’t you surprised that these majestically tall plants, up to 3 meters in height, with green and unpatterned foliage bears the name, Calathea lutea? We definitely were as most calatheas not only have beautifully patterned and variegated leaves but are rather dwarfish (about 60 cm) in stature, unlike this rather tall species.

Nevertheless, whatever it lacked is made up by its other unusual characteristic features that makes it popularly sought by landscapers, interiorscapers, gardeners and florists alike.

Cigar Calathea is an exotic tropical stunner that easily forms an attractive clump of extremely large paddle-shaped leaves that are gracefully held on long stalks that emerge from its underground rhizomes.

Like the beautiful Heliconia species of the tropics, their bluish-green to green blades with reflective silver undersides are appealing and exotic-looking . As exotic too are the erect, 30-cm long inflorescences that are produced year round, having a cigar-like structure and coloured reddish-brown, maroon or chocolaty, appearing rather unusual and unique in shape and shade. Besides, the tiny yellow flowers that peep from the uniquely coloured bracts present a fabulous contrast!

Grow Pampano or Cigar Calathea for that dramatic display of exotic tropicals in your garden!

Plant Profile, Culture and Propagation :

• Botanical Name: Calathea lutea (basionym: Maranta lutea)
• Common Name: Cigar Calathea, Cuban Cigar, Mexican Cigar Plant, Habana Cigar, Pampano
• Family name: Marantaceae – the Prayer Plant family (named for Bartolommeo Maranti, a 16th century Italian physician and botanist)
• Etymology: The genus name, Calathea comes from the Greek word, kalathos, meaning a basket, in reference to the inflorescences borne by some species. The species epithet lutea, derived from the Latin word luteus, meaning yellow or saffron, alluding to the colour of its tiny flowers.
• Origin: Native to tropical America – from Mexico, Mesoamerica, Caribbean and downwards to northern and western South America, including Brazil.
• Plant type: An ornamental herbaceous shrub.
• Features: Calathea lutea is one of the taller (or is it the tallest?) species of the genus Calathea that consists of about 100 species that are valued for their decorative foliage. It is a fast-growing herbaceous plant of medium height, reaching 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall.
  An evergreen perennial that reproduces vegetatively by underground rhizomes and quickly forms an attractive and dense clump of long yellowish-green stems, bearing gigantic oblong-shaped leaves that tower over its impressive inflorescences.
  Each large green blade is about 1 m long and 40-50 cm wide, and beautifully ribbed with symmetrically curved venation. Its underside is glaucous, meaning, coated by a silvery-white, powdery wax that is highly reflective to ward off the heat.
  True to form of plants in the genus Calathea or Prayer Plants, the broad-leaved Calathea lutea will also play out its daily regime of complex leaf movements involving elevation and folding of its leaves by means of the pulvinus or geniculum. Its leaf surface will become vertical but not folded at dusk/night (known as nyctinasty – movement following the onset of darkness or changes in light and temperature), then somewhat horizontal in the morning, and back to vertical again and folded at noon (paraheliotropism – movement of leaves to avoid or to minimize exposure to sunlight), then horizontal again in the late afternoon and at dusk, the leaf movement cycle repeats itself.
  Cigar Calathea is free-flowering throughout the year under favourable conditions in the tropics. Its exotic one-foot (30-cm) tall inflorescence that emerges from the stems is unique and eye-catching. It consists of thick and waxy reddish-brown, chocolaty or maroon bracts that are stacked over each other to form an erect cigar-shaped or candelabra display. Simply stunning! An added interest is the true flowers that emerge between the bracts, though tiny and rather inconspicuous, the yellow flowers provide a marvelous contrast!

• Culture (Care): Calathea lutea grows easily with minimum care.
  Light: Grows best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Though it can tolerate full sun when well-established or acclimatized, best to provide some shade as direct sunlight may bleach or scorch the leaves.
  Moisture: Medium water requirements, preferably with regular watering.
  Soil: Prefers moist, organic-enriched and well-drained soil. Though tolerant of poor clayey soils, it must be free draining.
  Others: Fertilize regularly. It loves warmth and humidity and benefits from occasional showers on the foliage during hot and dry seasons. Brown edges on the leaves indicate that the air is too dry and require a higher humid environment. Quite a hardy plant with leaves that are somewhat resistant to tearing and known to handle harsh and windy conditions quite well, even near the seaside. Generally free from serious pests and diseases. However, watch out for caterpillars and beetles that may devour the foliage.
  For subtropical and temperate regions: Hardiness: USDA Zone 10-11. Grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It blooms from spring to summer but almost year round in warmer regions. It is frost-tender and must be overwintered indoors with sufficient lighting and water sparingly during lower temperatures, allowing the soil surface to dry between each watering. Mist plants regularly to maintain high humidity and prevent browning of leaf margins. Indoor room temperature should be maintained above 60°F (15.6°C) and draft-free. Rhizomes can be lifted in cold winter climates and stored for next growing season.

• Propagation: By rhizomes with first flowering occurring within 12 months of planting a rhizome. Can be propagated by division of clumps too.

• Usage: A clump of Calathea lutea make impressive accent plants in the garden, landscape and around pools with its exotic leaves and candelabra flowers. A wonderful clustering plant for masking walls and fences or as informal hedge and screen for some privacy. It’s ideal as a large container or raised planter specimen for indoor decor or located at the porch, patio and decks for that dramatic tropical garden design.
  Its long-lasing and uniquely-shaped inflorescences make fantastic cut flowers in floral arrangement and is very popular with florists.
  In the Amazon and elsewhere, the broad leaves are used as food wrapper for cooking and grilling as well as to line large platters when entertaining.

Other external links:

• USDA-ARS GRIN Taxonomy
• Top Tropicals
• Neotropical Savanna

Last edit: June 9, 2016

Tags: brown, flowering plants, foliage plants, herbaceous, indoor plants, outdoor plants, perennials, reddish-brown