Peacock Plant

Calathea Makoyana     Origin: Brazil

The broad leaves of this Calathea are truly striking, with bold contrasting colors lending them a decorative appearance, almost as if they were painted by hand. The Peacock Plant takes its name from its showy patterns and the way its foliage rises and splays out. Perfect for adding an artistic touch to your home, these plants thrive in humid environments that mimic their native home of Brazil.

Common Issues

Leaf yellowing: Most often a result of overwatering and/or heavy soil. 
Leaf drop: Dry air, cold drafts and too little light are possible causes of leaf drop. Try moving your plant away from drafty windows or adding a supplemental plant light.
Brown spots or crispy tips: This is most often due to low humidity. Consider introducing a humidifier to your Calathea's environment. Calathea are also sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water, so switch to distilled water or let your tap water sit out overnight before use.

Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Direct sun will burn their thin leaves if exposed for more than an hour or two at a time, while insufficient light will lead to stretched stems and pale new growth.

Water: These tropical plants love moist soil. When grown indoors, however, it’s best to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings to prevent root rot. Poke a finger in—if the soil isn't damp until an inch or so down, water again.

Humidity: High humidity is key to preserving the Peacock Plant’s lush, beautiful foliage.

Growth: Happy Peacock Plants grow to about 2-feet tall. Their large leaves rise from a central rootstock and splay out on long, stiff stems, shifting and moving throughout the day in response to changing temperatures and humidity levels.

Soil: General purpose potting mix will suffice. If you tend to overwater, consider adding extra perlite or a fine bark mix to increase drainage. Since Peacock Plants grow in relatively short cycles, a slow-release fertilizer will encourage healthy growth.

Temperature: These plants are from low-land tropical climates and prefer temperatures between 65-85°F.

Repotting: Repot your Calathea once every year or two, as it is best to avoid disrupting the rootball until absolutely necessary. Uppot to a slightly larger container in the early spring, adding a well-draining potting soil to the mix.

Extra TLC: Avoid placing this plant near drafty windows or doors leading outside, as cold air can damage its sensitive leaves.