Calathea Makoyana
Goeppertia makoyana (syn. Calathea makoyana)
Tropical Plants Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
Known as the Peacock Plant or Cathedral Windows for its exquisitely patterned leaves. Each oval leaf features a deep green background with lighter, elongated spots arranged in rows, resembling peacock feathers. The undersides are a beautiful purplish-red. Leaves fold upward at night in a prayer-like motion (nyctinasty), a hallmark of the Marantaceae family.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Medium indirect
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
High (60-80%)
🌡️
Temperature
18-26°C
🪴
Soil
Lightweight, well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite; retains moisture without becoming waterlogged
🧪
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-3 weeks during spring through fall
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Eastern Brazil — tropical rainforest understory
- 📏 Max height
- 30-45 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-45 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Rarely indoors
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Purple
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Purple Patterned
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of root clumps in spring when repotting; each division must have several healthy roots and leaves
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans
Common issues
- Brown crispy leaf edges from low humidity, Root rot from overwatering, Spider mites, Fading leaf pattern in direct sun
💡 Care tips
- Also called the Peacock Plant for its eye-like leaf patterns,Folds leaves upward at night like other prayer plants,Use filtered water to prevent brown crispy leaf edges,Non-toxic and safe for cats and dogs
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 18 days.
