Calathea or Peacock Plant
Goeppertia insignis
Features striking, upright lanceolate leaves with wavy margins and a unique pattern of dark green blotches along the veins against a lighter green background.
- Light
- Bright indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily; protect from direct sun to prevent leaf scorch
- Water
- Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry, using filtered or distilled water if tap water is mineral-heavy
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen herbaceous plant with an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching mature heights and spreads of 1 to 2 feet
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight, keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, use well-draining organic soil, and maintain high ambient humidity around the plant.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily; protect from direct sun to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry, using filtered or distilled water if tap water is mineral-heavy
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive, well-draining potting mix with an acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 6.5
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10 to 12 when grown outdoors; strictly grown as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen herbaceous plant with an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching mature heights and spreads of 1 to 2 feet
Bloom season
Non-showy small white or yellow flowers occasionally appear in spring or summer, though primarily grown for its ornamental foliage
Propagation
Propagated through root division during the spring repotting season, ensuring each section has healthy roots and multiple stems
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to spider mites and fungus gnats in dry indoor air or over-watered conditions; brown leaf tips often indicate low humidity or mineral buildup from water
Similar species
Goeppertia makoyana (Peacock Plant) and Goeppertia lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant), distinguished by their distinct leaf shape and specific dorsal/ventral color patterns