Calathea Makoyana - Peacock Plant: Living Art with Mesmerising Leaf Movements
Absolutely spectacular! Calathea Makoyana is one of the most stunning foliage plants you'll ever encounter, featuring incredible oval leaves adorned with intricate feather-like patterns in shades of light and dark green, with gorgeous purple undersides! This Brazilian beauty is called the Peacock Plant for good reason - those patterns genuinely resemble the elegant tail feathers of a peacock!
But here's what makes this plant truly magical - it's a prayer plant that performs a daily dance! Watch as the leaves fold upward at night like hands folded in prayer, then gracefully open again each morning. This fascinating movement, called nyctinasty, is controlled by specialised joints at the base of each leaf. It's like having living, breathing art that literally moves throughout the day!
Why Choose Calathea Makoyana for Your Collection?
- Mesmerising Leaf Patterns: Intricate feather-like designs in light and dark green with stunning purple undersides create a peacock-feather effect that's absolutely breathtaking!
- Living Movement: Experience the magic of nyctinastic movement as leaves fold up at night and open during the day - it's like watching your plant pray! This daily rhythm adds incredible interest to your collection!
- Pet-Safe Beauty: Completely non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans! Finally, a stunning plant that's totally safe for homes with curious pets and children - no worries whatsoever!
- Air-Purifying Qualities: Actively removes indoor air pollutants including formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, contributing to a healthier home environment while looking absolutely gorgeous!
- Compact Size: Grows to a manageable 30-60cm tall and wide, making it perfect for tabletops, shelves, or as part of a collection without overwhelming your space!
- Award-Winning Excellence: Recipient of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit - recognised for outstanding garden and indoor performance!
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light Requirements
Peacock Plant absolutely thrives in bright indirect light! Think of a spot near a north or east-facing window where it receives plenty of ambient brightness but no direct sun rays. This beauty evolved on the Brazilian rainforest floor under a protective canopy, so direct sunlight will scorch those delicate leaves and fade the spectacular patterns. If you notice the colours becoming less vibrant, it's getting too much light! Medium indirect light also works beautifully - just avoid dark corners where growth will slow significantly. The leaf patterns actually look more dramatic in optimal lighting conditions!
Watering
Getting watering right is key to keeping your Peacock Plant happy! It's important to only water when it suits the environment your plant is living in - everyone's home is different! Check the top 2-3 cm of soil regularly and water when it feels slightly dry, but before the soil dries out completely. During active growth (Australian spring and summer), this might be every 4-6 days. In cooler months, stretch it to weekly or even longer. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then empty any excess from the saucer. Here's the important bit - Calatheas are sensitive to chemicals in tap water! Use filtered water, rainwater, or let tap water sit overnight before using. Fluoride and chlorine can cause brown leaf edges. A chunky, well-draining medium will dry faster than peat-heavy mixes, so adjust accordingly!
Temperature
Being a tropical treasure, Peacock Plant loves consistent warmth! It thrives between 18-27°C - basically comfortable room temperature. It can handle our warm Australian summers beautifully as long as humidity is maintained. However, it's quite sensitive to cold - keep temperatures above 15°C at all times! Below this, growth stops and the plant can suffer damage. Keep it away from cold draughts, air conditioning vents, and chilly windows during winter. Consistent temperatures are key - sudden fluctuations stress this beauty out!
Humidity
Here's where Peacock Plant shows its rainforest heritage - it absolutely craves high humidity at 50-60% or higher! Group it together with other tropical plants to create natural humidity pockets through transpiration - this is the best method and mimics natural conditions! You can also place it in naturally humid rooms like bathrooms or kitchens (with appropriate light). During dry periods or when heating is on, consider using a humidifier nearby. Regular misting helps but isn't enough on its own. Higher humidity prevents leaf edges from browning and keeps that spectacular foliage looking vibrant!
Potting Medium
Peacock Plant appreciates a rich, moisture-retentive yet well-draining medium! Use a high-quality tropical plant mix that's slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). A fantastic blend would include coco coir, perlite, orchid bark, and peat moss in equal parts - this provides the moisture retention Calatheas love while preventing waterlogging. Adding a bit of pine bark helps lower the pH naturally. The key is keeping soil consistently moist but never soggy. Excellent drainage is absolutely essential to prevent root rot, which this plant is susceptible to!
Fertilising
During the active growing season (September through March in Australia), feed your Peacock Plant regularly to support that gorgeous foliage! Use Growth Technology Foliage Focus at every watering (3-5ml per litre) - it provides complete balanced nutrition with all 12 essential minerals in ionic form for immediate absorption. Add Growth Technology Rootzone every 2-4 weeks (1ml per litre) to promote strong, healthy roots and boost overall plant vigour. During winter (June through August), reduce fertilising to monthly or stop altogether as growth naturally slows. Never over-fertilise - Calatheas are sensitive to excess nutrients!
Seasonal Care
In Australian spring and summer (September-February), your Peacock Plant will be actively growing with new leaves emerging regularly! This is when it needs the most attention - consistent watering, regular fertilising, and maintained humidity. You'll notice the prayer plant movement is most pronounced during this period! During autumn and winter (March-August), growth naturally slows down. Reduce watering frequency, cut back on fertiliser, and watch for lower humidity from indoor heating. The plant enters a semi-dormant state but doesn't die back like some tropicals. Continue monitoring humidity levels closely - dry winter air can cause brown leaf edges!
Perfect For
- Pet-Friendly Homes: Finally, spectacular foliage without toxicity concerns! Perfect for homes with curious cats, dogs, or children who love to explore!
- Bathroom Displays: Thrives in naturally humid bathroom environments with bright indirect light - adds tropical elegance to your morning routine!
- Office Spaces: Compact size and air-purifying qualities make it perfect for desks and shelves, plus watching the leaves move provides fascinating breaks!
- Plant Collectors: A must-have prayer plant with award-winning heritage and absolutely stunning leaf patterns that complement any tropical collection!
- Humid Environments: Perfect for terrariums, enclosed plant cabinets, or naturally humid spaces where it can truly thrive and show off its colours!
- Living Art Displays: Those peacock feather patterns and daily leaf movements create an ever-changing living artwork that captivates everyone who sees it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the leaves fold up at night?
This fascinating behaviour is called nyctinastic movement! The leaves fold upward at night and open during the day due to changes in water pressure in specialised joints (pulvini) at the base of each leaf. It's part of the plant's natural circadian rhythm, following light levels throughout the day. Scientists believe this movement may help protect leaves or maximise light absorption. It's completely normal and one of the most magical aspects of owning a prayer plant!
Why are the leaf edges turning brown?
Brown leaf edges on Calatheas are usually caused by low humidity or water quality issues! Increase humidity by grouping plants together or using a humidifier. Also check your water source - tap water containing fluoride or chlorine can cause browning. Switch to filtered water or rainwater, or let tap water sit overnight before using. Less commonly, brown edges can indicate over-fertilising, so make sure you're using the correct dilution rates!
Can this plant tolerate low light?
While Peacock Plant can survive in lower light conditions, it won't thrive! Growth will slow significantly, colours may fade, and those spectacular patterns won't be as vibrant. The daily leaf movement may also become less pronounced in very low light. It genuinely needs bright indirect light to look its absolute best and maintain healthy growth. A spot near a north or east-facing window is ideal for Australian conditions!
Is Calathea Makoyana difficult to care for?
It has a reputation for being a bit finicky, but once you understand its needs, it's totally manageable! The key is consistent moisture (without overwatering), high humidity, and using filtered water. If you can provide these conditions, you'll be rewarded with absolutely stunning foliage and that magical leaf movement! It's perfect for intermediate plant parents ready to step up their care routine!
Every plant we offer is carefully selected from our premium nursery stock and personally inspected for quality and health before dispatch, ensuring you receive a beautiful specimen ready to thrive in your Australian collection!
Please Note: As living plants, each specimen is unique and may vary in size, leaf count, and exact appearance from the images shown. The photos are representative examples of the quality and characteristics you can expect, but natural variations in shape, colour, and growth patterns make every plant one-of-a-kind. This individuality is part of what makes growing plants so special!
If you are from a quarantine restricted state & would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'Visit the Greenhouse' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
