Glasshouse plants

Calathea makoyana
Peacock plant

A native of Brazil, the peacock plant (also sometimes called cathedral windows) is named after its superb foliage that is meant to resemble the beauty of a peacock’s tail.

It is a compact species that usually grows between 30-60cm (1-2ft) tall and up to 30cm (12in) wide. It produces reddish-stemmed, broadly oval leaves (up to 30cm/12in long) with a pale cream background and oval dark green designs and striping. The dark green markings are normally pinkish-purple on the leaf reverse. Plants sometimes produce insignificant purple and white flowers.

Plants won't tolerate hot, direct sunlight, especially in summer, and need a position in light shade. Plants should be moved to a brighter position in winter, but kept out of direct sunlight. Strong sunlight will at least dull the colour of the leaves, and could even be fatal. Plants need a minimum winter temperature of 16°C (60°F).

Keep plants well watered in summer, ensuring the compost is kept evenly moist; reduce watering when the plant is dormant (September/October-February). Calatheas also need high humidity around the leaves, so mist the foliage regularly or, better still, stand pots on trays of moist pebbles or hydroleca; grouping plants together will also help maintain high humidity. Leaves producing brown tips is a sign that the humidity is too low. Feed every two to three weeks from March to September with a weak fertiliser solution.

Plants don't like to be overpotted, so only re-pot once the plant starts to become potbound.

Geoff Hodge

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