Plant Profile

Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant)

Calatheas are about 300 species of evergreen, rhizomatous perennials from tropical Central and South America. Most form clumps and slowly spread from the tubers or rhizomes We grow Calateas for their ornately leaves. The large shiny leaves are elliptical to oval and often marked with blotches, streaks or stripes of color. They are waxy, light to dark green and often backed with red or purple. Calathea flowers are inconspicuous and usually produced in pairs among the leaves. The fruit is an insignificant capsule. These tropical plants are grown outside only in the warmest most humid locations. They prefer rich high organic soil with good drainage. As soon as the humidity drops the leaves start dropping or turning brown. They need moderate light. It performs well in a container on a deck or patio in the shade.

  • Landscape Information
  • Botanical Description
  • Horticulture Management
  • By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Chhe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Photo by and (c)2014 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Chhe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Photo by and (c)2014 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Chhe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Photo by and (c)2014 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Stickpen (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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