Overview

The Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant, often simply called the Peacock Plant, is a breathtaking tropical perennial celebrated for its exquisite foliage. Hailing from the rainforests of Brazil, this stunning plant (scientific name: Goeppertia makoyana, formerly Calathea makoyana) is a true showstopper, instantly elevating any indoor space with its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Each leaf is a work of art, featuring dark green markings that resemble peacock feathers on a lighter green background, with a striking purple-red underside. As a member of the Marantaceae family, it shares the fascinating characteristic of ‘praying’ – its leaves fold upwards at night and unfurl again in the morning, a rhythmic dance with the sun that adds dynamic charm to your home. This indoor foliage plant is perfect for plant enthusiasts looking for something beyond the ordinary, offering both visual appeal and a touch of the exotic.

Our Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant arrives in a convenient 4” pot, ready to thrive in your environment. It’s an excellent choice for adding texture and color to tabletops, shelves, or terrariums. Known for its air-purifying qualities, it not only beautifies your home but also contributes to a healthier indoor atmosphere. Its relatively compact size makes it suitable for various living spaces, from small apartments to spacious homes. Discover the joy of nurturing this living masterpiece and watch its leaves come alive with every sunrise and sunset.

Key Benefits

The Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly sought-after addition to any plant collection. Its unique aesthetics and positive impact on indoor environments are just a few reasons why it’s so beloved.

• Stunning Ornamental Value: The most striking feature of the Peacock Plant is its highly decorative foliage. The intricate, feather-like patterns of dark green on light green, coupled with the rich purple undersides, create a visual spectacle that can become the focal point of any room. It’s a living piece of art that constantly evolves.
• Natural Air Purifier: Like many houseplants, the Calathea Makoyana helps to improve indoor air quality by absorbing common airborne toxins and releasing fresh oxygen. This contributes to a healthier living space, making your home feel cleaner and more vibrant.
• Unique Leaf Movement: Experience the captivating ‘prayer plant’ movement as the leaves of your Calathea fold up at dusk and spread open again at dawn, a phenomenon called nyctinasty. This daily ritual adds an engaging, dynamic element to your indoor garden.
• Non-Toxic to Pets: For pet owners, finding beautiful plants that are also safe is crucial. The Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, offering peace of mind while adding natural beauty to your home.
• Boosts Humidity: As a tropical plant, Calathea naturally transpires moisture into the air, subtly increasing indoor humidity levels. This can be beneficial for both other humidity-loving plants and for human comfort, especially in dry environments.
• Therapeutic and Calming Presence: Caring for plants like the Calathea can be a meditative and rewarding experience. Its serene beauty and rhythmic movements can contribute to a more peaceful and relaxing home atmosphere, reducing stress and enhancing well-being.
• Great for Humid Environments: The Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant thrives in humid conditions, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms, kitchens, or alongside other tropical plants, where it can truly flourish and display its full splendor.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant involves understanding its native rainforest environment and trying to replicate those conditions indoors. With the right approach, this plant will reward you with lush, vibrant foliage. One of the key aspects of peacock plant care is providing consistent warmth and humidity.

Sunlight: The Calathea Peacock Makoyana prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves, causing them to fade or develop brown spots. An east-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window, ensuring it receives plenty of ambient light without direct exposure. Low light conditions can cause the patterns on its leaves to become less vibrant, so finding that sweet spot is crucial for a healthy, colorful plant.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It’s best to use filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water, as Calatheas are sensitive to the chemicals (like chlorine and fluoride) found in tap water, which can cause leaf edges to burn. Reduce watering slightly in winter. Proper drainage is essential to prevent root rot, so ensure your pot has drainage holes.

Humidity & Temperature: High humidity is vital for the Calathea Makoyana. Aim for 50-70% humidity. You can achieve this by misting regularly, placing the pot on a pebble tray with water, or using a humidifier, especially during dry winter months. Temperatures should remain consistently warm, between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts, which can stress the plant and lead to leaf curling or browning. This attention to climate is a significant part of effective peacock plant care.

Soil & Fertilization: A well-draining, peat-based potting mix is ideal. Look for mixes designed for tropical plants or add perlite to a standard potting mix to improve drainage. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do not fertilize in fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows. Repotting is generally needed every 1-2 years, or when the plant becomes root-bound, to refresh the soil and provide more space for growth. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant thrives.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant, carefully cultivated and shipped in a 4-inch nursery pot. At the time of shipment, the plant typically stands about 6-8 inches tall from the base of the pot, with a width of 4-6 inches, showcasing its vibrant, mature foliage. The growth rate of the Calathea Makoyana is moderate, allowing it to gradually fill out its space without becoming unruly.

When fully mature, an indoor Calathea Peacock Makoyana can reach heights of 1-2 feet and spread 1-1.5 feet wide, forming a beautiful, dense clump of foliage. This makes it an excellent choice for a wide variety of indoor settings, from desk plants to floor accents. The plant is shipped in its pot with soil, ensuring minimal shock upon arrival and an easier transition to your home environment. With proper peacock plant care, you can expect its striking patterns to develop beautifully over time, providing continuous visual interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and spreads about 1 to 1.5 feet wide when mature indoors. It arrives in a 4-inch pot and is usually 6-8 inches tall.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This indoor foliage plant is shipped in a 4-inch diameter nursery pot, providing a good starting point for its growth and allowing you to easily transplant it into a decorative pot of your choice.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Calathea Peacock Makoyana is primarily an indoor foliage plant in most climates. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is not tolerant of cold temperatures or direct outdoor sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant requires bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch its leaves, so place it in a location with filtered light or a few feet away from a sunny window.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Calathea Makoyana is considered moderately challenging. It requires consistent humidity and careful watering, but with proper peacock plant care, it can thrive and be a rewarding plant for enthusiasts.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: While not the easiest plant for absolute beginners, those willing to learn about its specific humidity and watering needs will find it manageable. It’s a great step up for those looking to expand their plant care skills beyond very low-maintenance options.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Calathea Peacock Makoyana live plant will be shipped in its nursery pot with soil, carefully packaged to ensure it arrives healthy and ready to be enjoyed. We take great care to protect it during transit.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the plant is shipped in its original nursery pot with its growing medium to minimize stress and make for an easier transition into your home.
• Q: Can I group this with other prayer plant varieties? A: Absolutely! Calatheas and other prayer plant varieties often thrive when grouped together, as this helps to create a microclimate with higher humidity, which they all enjoy.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: This tropical plant prefers temperatures above 65°F (18°C). It is sensitive to cold and should not be exposed to temperatures below 60°F (15°C) to prevent damage to its foliage.
• Q: What are the calathea makoyana benefits beyond beauty? A: Beyond its stunning appearance, the Calathea Makoyana is known for its air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from indoor air, and its unique leaf movements add a dynamic and calming presence to any space.