Product Description:
The Peacock plant, also known as Calathea makoyana, is a beautiful tropical houseplant, famed for its beautiful, contrasting green and purplish-red leaves that will brighten up any indoor living space. The Calathea Makoyana or Peacock Plant as it is more commonly known is a wonderful plant that can be known to grow up to 2ft in height when cared for correctly. Originally from Brazil this plant is a popular choice around the world for a house plant mainly because it makes a lovely addition to any home due to its beautiful foliage and bold markings.The foliage patterns come in a variety of hues including green, cream, pink, white and gray. The stems are always a reddish-maroon shade, and the underside of the leaves are dark purple.
Light:
Peacock plants are not fans of intense, direct sunlight. This can cause the patterns and colors on the foliage to fade. Filtered light conditions are recommended, but these plants can also grow in full shade.
Soil:
Peacock plant, you want to select a potting medium that retains moisture but is still well-drained. A mixture of peat, sand and perlite is often recommended.
Water:
If the leaves are starting to curl up this can be a sign of underwatering. Too much water can cause root pot. Although these plants still need watering during the winter, they do like to have a rest period, and the frequency should be reduced considerably.
Temperature and Humidity:
To allow your peacock plant to thrive, ideal temperatures are between 60ºF – 75ºF. It’s also important to ensure the plant is not exposed to any sudden and extreme changes in their environment. Cold drafts and quick shifts in temperature can be problematic.
High levels of humidity are also key to your peacock plant thriving. Low humidity levels can lead to browning or curling leaves. Misting is beneficial and, if you are concerned your home environment may be too dry, it could be worth investing in a humidifier . You can also add a tray filled with pebbles under the well-draining plant pot.
Fertilizer:
Feeding your peacock plant from spring to fall, during its growth period, is another important consideration given its profuse foliage production. Fortnightly feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer is recommended.
Pruning:
Unlike some houseplants, your Calathea doesn’t need much in terms of pruning. As the leaves age, they will periodically yellow or brown and then die. Trim off dead leaves with a pair of sharp, sterilized scissors, cutting them off where they join the main stem or at the soil level.
Potting and Repotting Peacock Plants:
Healthy, thriving peacock plants, with their clump-forming habit, can grow rapidly, and this means they tend to need repotting every couple of years. Division can take place at the same time if you want to reuse the same pot; otherwise, you will need to opt for a larger container that also has decent drainage holes.
Propagation:
Propagation method for this species is by division. This is done when the plant has grown large enough to separate clumps of stems with roots. Until the new plant have new growth cover them with polythene to keep conditions warm and humid. Try to propagate when it’s time for repotting.
