Calatheas, also known as Prayer Plants, are a genus of plant native to the tropical Americas. Due to their interesting foliage, they are popular houseplants in spite of the difficulty in growing them. Calathea leaves often bear interesting patterns with burgundy undersides and will ‘close up’ during the night and unfurl each morning.
Peacock Plant
Botanical Name: Calathea Makoyana
The Calathea Makoyana, otherwise known as the Peacock Plant, has leaves so intricate they look as if they have been designed by a person. They have gentle, feathery brushstrokes in dark green glancing off a dark green border, with oval blotches of the same dark green coming from the middle of the leaf, all against a white-green base and pinkish underside. They usually grow to around two feet tall.
The Peacock Plant requires regular maintenance of temperature and humidity, so may not be a good choice for busy owners in cool or dry climates. They should be kept in pots which drain well, but soil should hold moisture. Plant food can be added in spring and summer, which is when the plant should be best watered. The Peacock Plant should not be kept in direct sunlight.
Plant Care
They may look confident but they are quite shy, only requiring low to moderate light
The alcoholic of the Calathea species, this one needs to constantly drink. Obviously don’t over-water, but always keep soil moist.
Rich like Richard Branson
Not toxic
With the constant moisture comes specific requirements. It can become damaged by fluoride in water so if you can, let it guzzle up your collected rain drops or splash out on something more mineral.
