How to Care for Peacock Plant and Growing Tips, Benefits

The peacock plant is an appropriate style of prayer plant with superbly patterned, variegated leaves. This houseplant offers texture and color to residing spaces, and including one in your series is an absolute must!

What is a peacock plant?

The term “peacock plant” is generally used to refer to a plant recognized as “Calathea makoyana.” Calathea makoyana is a famous houseplant favored for its putting foliage. It is local to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, and it’s miles a part of the Marantaceae family. The plant receives its not unusual place name, “peacock plant,” from the different feather-like styles on its leaves, which resemble the eye spots on a peacock’s tail feathers.

The leaves of the Calathea makoyana are commonly oval or elliptical and function an aggregate of mild and darkish inexperienced colors, with a community of bold, darkish inexperienced traces and spots that create the peacock feather pattern. These styles are extra stated at the top floor of the leaves, whilst the bottom of the leaves is mostly a wealthy red or burgundy color.

Calathea makoyana is an enormously low-renovation indoor plant that prefers bright, oblique mild, and continually wet however now no longer waterlogged soil. It additionally advantages from better humidity levels, making it a great desire for toilets or kitchens. Like different Calathea species, it has a unique function in which its leaves flow for the day, with the leaves folding up at night time and commencing in the day, a phenomenon recognized as “prayer plant” behavior.

Overall, the peacock plant is favored for its decorative fee and the appealing foliage it brings to indoor spaces, making it a famous desire for plant fanatics and decorators.

How to grow a peacock plant?

Growing a peacock plant may be a profitable revel, as those flora are prized for his or her appealing foliage.

Light:

• Provide bright, oblique mild. Avoid direct sunlight, as it could scorch the leaves.
• A north or east-going through window is regularly ideal.
• You also can use sheer curtains or blinds to clear out the mild if necessary.

Temperature:

• Keep the temperature constantly warm. Peacock flora thrives in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F.
• They are touchy to bloodless drafts, so keep away from setting them close to doorways or home windows with drafts.

Humidity:

• Maintain excessive humidity levels. Calathea makoyana flora are local to tropical areas and like better humidity.
• You can boost humidity through the usage of a humidity tray, a room humidifier, or misting the plant frequently.
• Grouping flora collectively also can assist in increasing humidity levels.

Watering:

• Keep the soil constantly wet however now no longer waterlogged.
• Water your peacock plant whilst the pinnacle inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
• Water thoroughly, permitting extra water to empty from the pot.
• Empty the saucer below the pot after watering to save you root rot.

Soil:

• Use a well-draining potting blend that keeps moisture without turning into waterlogged.
• A blend designed for tropical flora or a combination of peat-primarily based totally soil and perlite is suitable.

Read More: Best Annual Plants, Growing Tips and Care

Fertilization:

• Fertilize your peacock plant throughout the developing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
• Apply a diluted fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
• Reduce or forestall fertilizing all through the autumn and iciness whilst the plant isn’t actively developing.

Pruning:

• Trim off any brown or broken leaves frequently to inspire new increases and keep the plant’s look.

Repotting:

• Repot your peacock plant whilst it will become root-certain or every 2-three years. Spring is generally a fine time for repotting.
• Choose a barely large pot and refresh the soil.

Pest Control:

• Watch out for unsurprising place houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.
• If you are aware of any infestations, take suitable measures to put off them, consisting of the usage of insecticidal cleaning soap or neem oil.

Resting Period:

• Calathea makoyana can also additionally revel in a duration of decreased increase all through the iciness months.
• During this time, it is crucial to lessen watering and keep away from overfeeding the plant.

Pruning:

• Regularly trim off any brown or broken leaves to keep the plant’s look and healthy.

By following those care suggestions, you could assist your peacock plant to thrive and experience its lovely foliage year-round. Remember that peacock flora is recognized for everyday leaf movement, wherein the leaves fold up at night time and open all through the day, so do not be alarmed in case you are aware of this behavior; it is flawlessly normal.

What are the types of peacock plants?

Calathea is a various genus of plants, and there are numerous species and sorts inside this group. While the term “peacock plant” is frequently used to explain Calathea makoyana, there are different Calathea species and sorts, every with its particular leaf styles and characteristics. Here are some famous styles of peacock plants:

Calathea makoyana :

This is the conventional peacock plant with its oval leaves presenting the distinct feather-like styles of mild and darkish inexperienced, paying homage to peacock feathers.

Calathea orbifolia:

This range is thought for its large, spherical leaves with silver-gray stripes that radiate out from the crucial vein.

It’s tremendously prized for its lovely foliage.

Calathea zebrina :

The leaves of this species have bold, darkish inexperienced stripes on a mild inexperienced background, such as zebra stripes.

They are lengthy and lance-formed, including a hanging comparison to the plant.

Calathea lancifolia :

This range capabilities lengthy, lance-formed leaves with hanging styles of darkish inexperienced spots and contours on a lighter inexperienced background.

The styles are paying homage to a rattlesnake’s skin.

Calathea roseopicta:

There are numerous sorts inside the Calathea roseopicta group, including ‘Medallion,’ ‘Dottie,’ and ‘Rosy.’

These sorts have diverse mixtures of red, rose, and cream styles on their leaves.

Calathea concinna :

This species has broad, lance-formed leaves with hanging styles of darkish inexperienced and mild inexperienced.

The undersides of the leaves are frequently a deep red color.

Calathea ornata :

Known for its elegant, darkish inexperienced leaves with red or white stripes that run perpendicular to the veins, such as pinstripes.

Calathea rufibarba :

This range has lengthy, narrow, inexperienced leaves with a velvety texture and a maroon underside.

Calathea loeseneri :

The leaves of this species have a community of darkish inexperienced traces on a lighter inexperienced background, growing a problematic and fascinating pattern.

Calathea warscewiczii:

Recognized for its darkish inexperienced leaves with velvety red undersides, giving it a highly-priced and distinguished appearance.

These are only some examples of the numerous Calathea species and sorts available, every with its particular leaf styles and characteristics. When deciding on a peacock plant, recall the precise range that appeals to your aesthetic choices and the care necessities you could meet. Calatheas are recognized for their lovely foliage and are famous selections for indoor plant enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the peacock plant, or Calathea makoyana, is a fascinating and famous houseplant recognized for its hanging foliage with feather-like styles that resemble peacock feathers.
Remember that there are numerous Calathea species and types past Calathea makoyana, every with its precise leaf styles and characteristics, supplying an extensive variety of alternatives for plant enthusiasts. Proper care and interest in their particular wishes will assist your peacock plant to thrive and grace your property with its beautiful, ornamental foliage.