Goeppertia bachemiana is less familiar than its Marantaceae relatives, which makes it something of a find for collectors of foliage plants. Native to the rainforests of southeastern Brazil, it grows in an upright rosette to about 2 feet tall and equally as wide, with thick, leathery leaves in a greenish-blue or greenish-silver ground marked by dark green stripes. Turn a leaf over and the underside shifts toward purple and maroon. It was named for Alexander Bachem, mayor of Cologne in the nineteenth century, though his connection to Brazilian botany remains obscure.

As a houseplant it asks for the same conditions as its relatives: partial shade, humidity between 50 and 60%, temperatures in the 60-78 degree range, and consistent moisture from distilled or rainwater rather than tap water, which can brown the leaf tips over time. Fluoride sensitivity is a genuine concern here. Division in spring is the most reliable propagation method. Unlike some Goeppertia species, it is non-toxic to pets and people, though the sap warrants gloves during handling. For a shaded indoor corner that needs something with real visual weight, this plant delivers it quietly.