{"product_id":"calathea-lutea","title":"Cuban Cigar Calathea - Calathea lutea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCuban Cigar Calathea - Calathea lutea\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCalathea lutea\u003c\/em\u003e is the largest of the calatheas grown in Australia, throwing paddle-shaped leaves up to a metre long on tall upright stems to build a clumping tropical thicket. The undersides of the leaves carry a distinctive powdery white waxy bloom, so the plant flashes silver whenever wind turns the foliage. Its common name comes from the flower bracts, which are stiff, waxy and cigar-brown, held on their own stalks above the clump. This is a structural foliage plant, used for scale and texture rather than flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Cuban Cigar Calathea\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Scale\u003c\/strong\u003e: Individual leaves reach around a metre, giving instant tropical mass that few shade plants can match.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Reverse\u003c\/strong\u003e: The waxy white leaf underside creates a two-tone effect as the clump moves.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCigar Bracts\u003c\/strong\u003e: Rigid maroon-brown bracts appear through the warmer months and last for weeks, cut or on the plant.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClumping Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e: It spreads by rhizome into a controlled clump rather than running through a bed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Performance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Filtered light and shade suit it, so it fills the difficult ground beneath palms and large trees.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical understorey\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted beneath palms, heliconias and gingers for a layered rainforest effect.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside screening\u003c\/strong\u003e: A clump gives soft, moving green privacy around a pool in warm climates.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaded courtyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: Large pots in a protected courtyard where the leaves are safe from wind shredding.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndoor atrium and light well\u003c\/strong\u003e: Suited to bright, humid interior spaces with plenty of headroom.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 2.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and summer while soil is warm, year round in the tropics\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost, free draining but never allowed to dry out\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water frequently and keep humidity up, as the leaf edges brown quickly in dry air or drying wind. Mulch heavily, feed with a balanced fertiliser through the growing season, and cut damaged canes to the base to keep the clump looking fresh.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2.5m as a spreading clump\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast in warm humid conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to filtered light, protected from wind and frost\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Waxy maroon-brown bracts with small yellow flowers\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795271287070,"sku":"ND-0291-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/oNPzIdUVCYUDW9bsAZsYg_ZFKtwZH4.jpg?v=1787311651","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/calathea-lutea","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}