Z9 hardy Calathea/Goeppertia

[Keys6505]

So my plant addiction rabbit hole has most recently taken me into the world of Calathea.  One post on FB last spring regarding a "hardy" Calathea led me down a path that took me to the illustration below and then onto the hunt for the not-so-common varieties that could overwinter in my zone 9BS which actually behaves like a 9A.  I found 4 of the varieties last year and am happy to report all 4 have come back after a winter low of 19.8 degrees.  In the sadder of the photos below, #1 is Goeppertia Villosa, #2 G. Albertii (sold as Louisae but wrong), #3 is Maui Queen, and #4 is Zebrina.  The plant above the Zebrina sprout is a Misto that I just added post-winter and from what I understand is the only remaining true example/cultivar of Louisae (? might wanna fact check me on that).  Luckily, Maui Queen and Misto have recently become available at all of the HD's here in TX so those turned out to be easy finds.  The other 2 photos are of the same bed at the end of last summer.  The plants I'm looking to trial this year are the Greenstar which apparently isn't really available in the US so that should be fun, and the variegated varieties such as White/Yellow Fusion and Stella.  I am a little concerned I might lose the variegation on those after the winter though as they are known to revert relatively easily.  If anyone else has any info or experience on hardy Goeppertia varieties I'd love to hear about it!

[Josh76]

That's remarkable... I never would have thought any of them could withstand freezing conditions!

[gerald6006]

Hello,
Yes, I had heard about it and seen articles. I have made unsuccessful attempts to date. I am also in zone 9b Mediterranean climate. I need to do some more testing.
I also saw a Philodendron in the photo. What species is it?