Goeppertia makoyana

Peacock Plant, Peacock Calathea, Cathedral Windows, Brain Plant, Calathea makoyana

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic30–60 cm

Named for its leaf pattern, which echoes the eye-spots on a peacock's tail. This Brazilian understory species has thin, oval leaves with dark green feathered markings on a pale green background and purple-red undersides. It does best in the warm, humid conditions of a closed terrarium, where steady moisture and indirect light mirror its native rainforest floor habitat.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Peacock Plant image

Photo by Mickaël Schauli·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
16°C – 24°C

Soil

Peat moss(preferred)Well draining

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Appearance

Growth habit

ClumpingUpright

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

Smooth

Distribution

Propagation

Divide the rhizome during repotting in late spring. Each division should have several stems and healthy roots. Dividing every two years can help maintain vigour.