Description
- Common names:
- Peacock Plant, Cathedral Windows, Zebra Plant, Calatea Pavorreal, Planta Pavo Real
- Botanical name:
- Calathea makoyana, Goeppertia makoyana
- Description:
- A stunning tropical beauty with emerald green leaves adorned with intricate peacock-feather patterns. Its leaves gracefully fold up at night, creating a captivating living display.
Features
- Pet & Babies safety:
- Non-Toxic & Pet-Friendly
- Rarity:
- Common Household Favorite
- Form factor:
- Upright Bush, Variegated Leaves, Architectural, Rosette
- Air Purifier:
- Good Air Purifier (7/10)
- Origin:
- Brazil
- Aesthetic advantages:
- Living Room, Bathroom, Office, Bookshelf, Bohemian Style, Modern Decor, Scandinavian Interior, Low-Light Corners, Bedroom Sanctuary
Care Guide
Care level:
Intermediate+
This plant requires consistent attention to humidity and watering schedules, making it best suited for plant parents with some experience. It can be sensitive to environmental changes but rewards careful care with stunning foliage.
Light:
Medium / Indirect Light+
Place near an east or north-facing window where it receives filtered, indirect light. Direct sunlight will scorch and fade the beautiful leaf patterns, while too little light will cause leggy growth and loss of variegation.
Water:
Keep Soil Moist+
Water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch, keeping the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Use filtered or distilled water at room temperature, as this plant is sensitive to chemicals and fluoride found in tap water.
Humidity:
Prefers High Humidity+
Thrives in humidity levels above 60%, ideally 60-80%. Place on a pebble tray filled with water, group with other plants, use a humidifier, or mist regularly to prevent brown, crispy leaf edges.
Temperature:
Prefers Warmth+
Thrives in 18-27°C / 65-80°F with consistent temperatures. Protect from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and sudden temperature fluctuations, as this tropical plant is sensitive to temperature changes below 15°C / 60°F.
Hardiness zones:
Zones 10-12+
Hardy in USDA Zones 10-12 where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler zones, it must be kept as an indoor plant or brought inside before temperatures drop below 15°C / 60°F in fall.
Fertilizing:
Feed Monthly+
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month during the growing season from spring through early fall. Reduce or stop feeding in winter when the plant's growth naturally slows.
Repotting:
Repot Every 2-3 Years+
Repot every 2-3 years in spring when roots begin to grow through drainage holes or the plant becomes root-bound. Use a well-draining peat-based potting mix and choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the current one.
Cleaning:
Wipe Leaves Regularly+
Gently wipe leaves with a soft, damp cloth every 1-2 weeks to remove dust and allow the plant to breathe and photosynthesize efficiently. Use distilled or filtered water to avoid water spots on the decorative foliage.
Propagation:
Division+
Best propagated by division during repotting in spring. Carefully separate the rhizomes ensuring each division has several leaves and healthy roots, then plant in fresh, moist potting mix and maintain high humidity until established.