Want a stunning indoor plant that will instantly add a splash of tropical vibrancy to any room? Look no further than the Calathea Makoyana, or Peacock Plant. This one-of-a-kind plant is just as flamboyant as its bird namesake.

 

Luckily, this glorious plant is easy to care for once you have the right information. The Calathea Makoyana is a tropical plant with some specific needs to thrive. But we have all of the care tips you need to ensure that your plant stays happy and colorful, whether it’s inside or outside!

 

What is a Calathea? 

Calatheas are part of the Prayer Plant family, also known as the Marantaceae family. There are over 300 different varieties, although only a handful are available to purchase for your home or garden.

 

Most Calathea plant varieties come from the jungles of the Amazon, located in South America. They enjoy living in the shade below dense vegetation.

 

What makes most Prayer Plants unique is that their leaves move! In the morning, you’ll see the Calathea’s leaves spread out widely to soak up more sun. The Calathea’s leaves will point upwards toward each other at night, resembling praying hands (hence the nickname, Prayer Plants).

 

The Calathea is often seen as a symbol of “new beginnings.” This is due to the plant’s leaves changing throughout night and day. People looking for a fresh start or trying to make big changes in their lives will enjoy having the Calathea around for inspiration and luck.

 

 

 

 

What is a Calathea Makoyana? 

The Calathea Makoyana is a Calathea variety better known as the Peacock Plant. These indoor plants are tropical and strikingly beautiful. This variety of Calathea is seen as one of the most striking but difficult to find. They are native to eastern Brazil.

 

What Colors Can They Be? 

The Calathea Makoyana is known for its attractive foliage. Like a peacock’s feathers, the Peacock Plant sports upright, round leaves with dark streaks running through them. Some of the leaves are light green with a dark green outline and stripes. Other leaves sport a sharp, violet hue with a deep purple outline and streaks. This creates a stunning contrast that makes the Peacock Plant one of the most beautiful Calathea varieties.

 

How Tall Can a Calathea Makoyana Grow?

The Calathea Makoyana is a pretty small and compact plant. It can grow up to two feet tall when cared for properly.

 

Does the Calathea Makoyana Flower? 

While the Calathea Makoyana is known for its stunning foliage, which has a dark green feathered effect, they will sprout flowers! But it isn’t easy to get indoor Peacock Plants to flower. It happens sporadically throughout the year, meaning it doesn’t happen in a particular season.

 

The Peacock Plant can get tiny white flowers, which look beautiful against their striped green and purple leaves.

 

This can be worth it for many plant owners. But it will take a lot of patience and proper care to get an indoor Peacock Plant to bloom — and it’s already a pretty picky houseplant to care for.

 

Other Popular Calathea Varieties

There are a lot of other Prayer Plant varieties other than the Calathea Makoyana Peacock Plant. And every single one is stunning and unique. Here are some of the other popular Calathea plants to consider if your Peacock Plant needs a friend.

 

• Rattlesnake Plant: This is a very easy plant to grow, meaning you will see narrow leaves with dark green spots with ease. The underside of each leaf is maroon, creating a bold contrast.

 

• Round-Leaf Calathea: This plant has very large, round leaves with a mixture of darker and lighter waves of green stripes. The leaves are eight inches wide. The plant itself can reach two to three feet.

 

• Zebra Plant: With zebra-like stripes of dark green and light green, this stunning variety is ever-popular for its bold appearance.

 

• Rose-Painted Calathea: Unlike many green varieties, this plant has rose-colored stripes through its large and round green leaves. This incredible foliage makes this plant stand out amongst other varieties.

 

• Network Plant: This is one of the most unique varieties of Calathea, thanks to its leaves’ intricate pattern. The top and bottom of the leaves are the same color, which is also rare for Prayer Plants.

 

Do Calathea Makoyana Grow Indoor or Outdoors? 

The Calathea Makoyana can grow indoors or outdoors, depending on where you live! The environment will determine if the Calathea Makoyana can survive outdoors. The Peacock Plant is often kept as an indoor plant due to its care preferences and stunning appearance.

 

General Calathea Makoyana Care 

The Calathea Makoyana is luckily very easy to care for, although it can be a bit picky about certain things.

 

When it comes to lighting, it’s important to remember the origin of the Peacock Plant. This plant is native to the tropical forests of Brazil, hidden under the trees where there is little direct sun. This means that the Calathea Makoyana doesn’t need much light as other plants. Bright yet indirect light is perfect.

 

The Peacock Plant prefers similar temperatures, which are between 60 and 75 degrees. Sudden temperature drops will harm your plant. Humidity is even more important. They prefer humidity levels of 60% or more.

 

Water is another important care requirement for the Peacock Plant. You want to make sure that your Calathea Makoyana’s soil is always moist but never soggy.

 

Indoor Growing Tips 

Growing Peacock Plants inside is the most common method. Here are some tips to keep your plant thriving indoors.

 

• Choose an east-facing window to give your Peacock Plant bright, indirect light.

 

• In rooms with a lot of direct light, place your plant further from the window. You can also shield it with furniture or curtains.

 

• Keep your Calathea Makoyana in an area that is free of drafts. That means avoiding leaky windows, frequently used doors, or vents.

 

• To provide your plant with a high humidity level, consider placing them in the kitchen or bathroom. Bathrooms have warm, moist air similar to the high humidity environment of rainforests.

 

• When watering Peacock Plants, use the sink. Let the water run, leaving through the pot’s drainage holes. Then let your plant sit in the sink for a few minutes to ensure excess water has drained out. Too much water will lead to root rot.

 

Outdoor Growing Tips

You won’t find Peacock Plants outside as often, but these popular houseplants can still make a great addition to your garden with the right care. Here are some things to keep in mind.

 

• Pick a part of the garden that’s shaded. Direct sunlight will damage your plant. Consider a spot below a canopy of trees.

 

• This plant should never be outside if it’s below 65 degrees. You might have to bring them indoors at night if you live somewhere where it gets colder than 55 degrees at night.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts – Calathea Makoyana

The Calathea Makoyana Peacock Plant is one of the most stunning Calathea varieties out there. From their striped green leaves to the purple tones under each leaf, this vibrant, distinct tropical beauty is an incredibly unique plant to welcome in your home.

 

To keep your Peacock Plant happy and healthy, make sure that they are kept out of direct light, is given plenty of humidity, and has moist soil that’s never too wet. This will ensure that your Calathea Makoyana is constantly colorful and beautiful throughout the year.