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Plant Profile

Calathea picturata 'Argentea' (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 Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • French Name: Calathea, Plante paon

    Pronunciation: ka-LAY-thee-uh pik-tur-AT-uh

  • Plant type: Groundcover

  • Origin: Tropical America

  • Heat Zones: 1 to 12

    Hardiness Zones: 10 to 13

  • Uses: Indoor, Container, Shade, Ground cover, Green Wall

  • Size/Shape

    Growth Rate: Moderate

    Tree Shape: Spreading, Upright

    Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical

    Canopy Density: Medium

    Canopy Texture: Medium

    Height at Maturity: Less than 0.5 m

    Spread at Maturity: Less than 50 cm

    Time to Ultimate Height: 2 to 5 Years

  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Foliage

    Leaf Arrangement : Spiral

    Leaf Venation: Pinnate

    Leaf Persistance: Evergreen

    Leaf Type: Simple

    Leaf Blade: 10 - 20

    Leaf Shape: Ovate

    Leaf Margins: Entire

    Leaf Texture: Leathery, Glossy, Coarse

    Leaf Scent: No Fragance

    Color(growing season): Green, Purple, Variegated

    Color(changing season): Green, Purple

  • Flower

    Flower Showiness: Yes

    Flower Size Range: 3 - 7

    Flower Type: Panicle

    Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

    Flower Scent: No Fragance

    Flower Color: White

    Seasons: Year Round

  • Trunk

  • Fruit

    Fruit Type: Berry

    Fruit Showiness: No

    Fruit Color: Green

    Seasons: Year Round

  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, Tequila [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Tolerance

    Frost Tolerant: No

    Heat Tolerance: Yes

    Drought Tolerance: No

    Salt Tolerance: Poor

  • Requirements

    Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam

    Soil Ph Requirements: Neutral

    Water Requirements: High, Moderate

    Light Requirements: Part, Shade

  • Management

    Toxicity: No

    Invasive Potential: No

    Pruning Requirements: No pruning at all

    Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

    Surface Rooting: Yes

    Life Span: Less than 25

    Diseases: Leaf Spots

    Edible Parts: None

    Pests: Mites, Nematodes, Caterpillars, Scales, Mealy-Bug

    Plant Propagation: Division

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