Back in 2023, I ordered several Calathea plants online—and the delivery style in Korea at that time was quite unique.
Instead of plastic fillers or bubble wrap, the plants were tightly wrapped in layers of newspaper, making the unboxing feel both nostalgic and exciting.
This post focuses on the delivery and unpacking experience.
The specific Calathea varieties will be introduced separately in the next post.
1. 2023 Korean Plant Delivery Packaging: Newspaper Everywhere
Plant deliveries in Korea in 2023 often looked like this:
- A cardboard box completely filled with newspaper
- Each pot individually wrapped
- Soil held firmly in place
- Leaves protected from bending or breaking
Simple but surprisingly effective.
2. 10 cm Pot Wrapped Neatly in Newspaper
Inside the box, the small pots were rolled tightly in several layers of newspaper.
This kept the plants stable during transit, even without plastic packaging.
It also reduced unnecessary movement inside the box.
As someone who buys many plants, this packaging actually felt very secure.
3. First Peek Inside the Newspaper
Peeling back the newspaper revealed the first hint of Calathea leaves.
Even through the wrapping, the patterns were visible—proof of how striking these plants are.
Calatheas are famous for:
- Their beautiful leaf patterns
- Their movement (leaves go up at night, down during the day)
- Their dramatic presence in any plant collection
This unboxing moment captures exactly why people fall into the “Calathea series addiction.”
4. All the Calatheas Unboxed
Once removed from the box, the pots revealed a variety of foliage shapes and colors.
Although I’m not covering the species today, the range of patterns was already impressive.
I’ll introduce each variety with close-up photos in the next post,
including the plants I received and the ones I later added to my collection.
5. Dividing One Pot Into Three Plants
One pot contained multiple shoots, so I separated it into three individual plants.
Benefits of dividing:
- Better airflow
- Roots get more space
- Faster individual growth
- Easier maintenance
Calatheas divide easily, especially when the rhizomes are visible.
6. The Plant That Started It All: Calathea Maranta at a Nursery
I first saw a beautiful Calathea Maranta at a local greenhouse.
That single plant inspired me to order multiple Calatheas online shortly after.
Plant people call this “Calathea series syndrome”—once you buy one, you want more.
7. Lined Up After Unboxing
After unboxing and dividing, I arranged all the Calathea pots in a row.
This highlighted just how diverse and expressive Calatheas can be.
In the next post, I’ll introduce each type individually with close-up photos,
so this post stays focused on the 2023 delivery experience.
Conclusion
Unboxing newspaper-wrapped Calathea plants from a 2023 Korean plant delivery was both charming and nostalgic.
Even without modern packaging, the plants arrived safely—and the thrill of slowly unwrapping each leaf made the experience unforgettable.
Calatheas are endlessly captivating, and this delivery marked the beginning of my growing collection.
Stay tuned:
My next post will feature each Calathea variety with photos and details.
