Calathea makoyana, often known as Peacock Plant, is a type of Calathea plant. It is a lovely plant that is well-known for its leaves. It is a common houseplant that may be grown successfully inside. It could definitely make a terrific addition to your house if you take good care of it and give it the correct growing conditions.
Does The Peacock Plant Have Any Other Names?
Cathedral Windows
Different Types Of Peacock Plants
The following are the most common calathea species:
- Calathea Roseopicta
- Calathea Lancifolia
- Calathea Makoyana
Main Uses Of Peacock Plants
In addition to enhancing the appearance of your space, Peacock Plants helps with the following:
- Improving mood
- Alleviating fatigue
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Enhancing focus and performance
- Optimizing air quality to reduce the possibility of headaches
How To Prune Peacock Plants
Unlike certain houseplants, your Calathea does not require extensive pruning. As the leaves mature, they turn yellow or brown and finally die. With a pair of sharp, disinfected scissors, clip off dead leaves wherever they connect to the main stem or soil surface.
You also might want to prune your Calathea makoyana to keep it compacted and bushy.
Best Soil For Peacock Plants
Choose a potting medium, which keeps moisture while remaining well-drained for your peacock plant. Sand, perlite, and peat mixture are frequently advised.
It must also be humusy and rich in organic matter to ensure lush, vivid leaf development and hue.
How Much Light Do Peacock Plants Need?
Indirect light is beneficial to all Calathea plants, including Peacock plants. It is critical to keep your Peacock plant away from direct sunlight. It might harm the foliage and erase the marks on the foliage. On the other side, low light may inhibit your plant’s development, so it is critical to strike a balance. Bright, indirect light appears to be the most beneficial to these plants.
How Often To Water Peacock Plants
When it pertains to watering, finding the perfect mix is critical for peacock plants. If the foliage begins to curl, this could be an indication of underwatering. An excess of water could cause root rot. These plants prefer steady and even moisture conditions and most devotees utilize a moisture meter to determine whenever the plant requires watering.
While these plants still require watering in winter, they prefer to rest. Thus, the regularity must be reduced significantly.
Distilled water or water collected from rainwater is typically an ideal choice rather than water from the tap. Fluoride sensitivity affects peacock plants, causing the leaf ends to change color. The water must also be tepid or at room temp. If it is too cold, it could startle the plant.
Ideal Temperature Conditions For Peacock Plants
Tropical houseplants thrive in the home since they need the very same temperature range as human beings. Nurture your peacock plants in a room with temps ranging from 60°F to 75°F (16°C to 24oC), minimizing unexpected temperature decreases.
Retain your plants away from drafts caused by leaky windows, closing doors and opening windows, or register vents that blow cool air in the summer and hot air in the winter.
Plants in cooler growing zones could be left outside throughout the warmer summer and spring months as long as overnight temperatures do not fall below 55°F (13°C) or they are brought inside at night. Preserve them out of direct sunlight by placing them in a sheltered region or beneath the tree canopies or other plants.
What Are Some Other Great Indoor House Plants?
There are many great houseplants to choose from, here’s a selection of articles we have written on various other indoor plants you may like:
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Humidity Conditions For Peacock Plants
Like most other Calathea plants, peacock plants demand wet air to thrive (target to maintain 60 percent relative humidity surrounding the plant). Place the pot on a tray of moist stones and sprinkle the leaves with room-temperature water regularly. It is also smart to utilize a cool-mist room humidifier if the interior air is excessively dry throughout the winter months.
Best Fertilizer For Peacock Plants
Fertilize your peacock plant after 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season, from spring to early autumn. Fertilization is not necessary throughout the winter months since the plant grows gradually.
Calatheas are pretty susceptible to over-fertilization, so proceed with care. Utilize a fluid or water-soluble fertilizer that is half the ideal strength or less.
Preferably, it would be best if you used a nitrogen-rich fertilizer mixture with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. In reality, though, cultivators report experiencing significant success with balanced fertilizers containing equal amounts of phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen.
How To Propagate Peacock Plants
Peacock plants are typically propagated by division. Nevertheless, because of complexity, it is preferable to wait till the plant has produced a well-established and huge cluster. Whereas the repotted divisions form, they should be maintained moist, humid, and warm. If you are worried about the surroundings being too dry, you could wrap them with polythene sheets.
Growth Rate Of Peacock Plants
Calathea (Peacock Plants), like many other low-light plants, grows slowly. They are thought to develop at a reasonably quick rate, yet they will not sprawl out and be a nuisance in their pots. In actuality, Calathea plants often only reach a height of around 2 feet before they halt.
Ideal Pot Size For Peacock Plants
If the Peacock Plant is presently in a 10” or smaller pot, consider a 1-2” more extensive pot than the existing size. If your existing pot size is greater than 10”, select a 2-3” greater pot in diameter.
Repotting Tips For Peacock Plants
Every 1-2 years, repot your peacock plant to a relatively more significant container, ideally in early summer and the spring. Spring is the best period to repot plants since they are actively developing following the chilly winter months and could recover faster from the impact of repotting.
During repotting, put in additional potting soil or completed compost to ‘rejuvenate’ the nutrient level and humus. If the root is rootbound, ensure you loosen them. Also, do not build a ‘drainage layer’ at the bottom of the pot while filling pots with growing media. This was once a highly praised method that was imparted to beginning gardeners.
However, it has been demonstrated that this technique is more harmful than beneficial. Whenever water falls through the soil profile due to gravity, it comes to a halt once it comes across this drainage layer formed by small stones or boulders. Before the water seeps into the layer, the full potting soil should be saturated, making the layer troublesome rather than advantageous.
FAQ
Are Peacock Plants Edible?
Although the immature seeds seen in its green pods are edible, the adult seeds can be toxic.
Are Peacock Plants Toxic To Cats And Dogs?
Calathea plants, including the Peacock Plant, tick all the boxes: they are non-toxic to cats and dogs, purify the air, and have a distinct appearance and feel. This could be your new favorite plant.
Are Peacock Plants Poisonous?
Peacock plants cannot poison pets and people. If the leaves of a calathea plant are unintentionally consumed, there is minimal to no danger.
