Calathea Rattlesnake - The Mesmerising Patterned Prayer Plant
Prepare to be absolutely captivated by the extraordinary Calathea Lancifolia (Goeppertia Insignis) - the most dramatically patterned prayer plant that transforms any Australian home into a tropical sanctuary! This spectacular Rattlesnake Plant mesmerises with its stunning elongated leaves adorned with intricate dark green patterns that perfectly mimic a rattlesnake's skin, complemented by gorgeous deep purple undersides that create the most enchanting display as leaves move throughout the day.
Why Choose Calathea Rattlesnake for Your Australian Home?
- Spectacular Snake Patterns: Absolutely stunning elongated leaves with intricate dark green markings that perfectly replicate rattlesnake skin patterns - a true masterpiece from Brazil's rainforests
- Dramatic Purple Undersides: Gorgeous deep burgundy-purple leaf backs that create incredible contrast and visual drama, especially stunning when leaves fold upward during evening prayer movements
- Living Prayer Movements: Fascinating nyctinastic behaviour where leaves fold upward each evening and unfurl each morning, creating daily natural entertainment and movement in your space
- Pet-Safe Beauty: Completely non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it perfect for Australian families who want stunning tropical plants without pet safety concerns
- Air-Loving Excellence: Thrives in high humidity environments and responds beautifully to proper care with vibrant patterns and healthy growth
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light: Your Calathea Rattlesnake requires bright, indirect light to maintain its stunning leaf patterns and vibrant colours. In Australian homes, position near east-facing windows or a few metres back from brighter windows. Direct sunlight will scorch the delicate leaves and fade the beautiful snake-like patterns that make this Brazilian beauty so special.
Watering: Maintain consistently moist soil using filtered, distilled, or rainwater - this is crucial for Rattlesnake Plant success as they're sensitive to chemicals in tap water. During Australian summer months (December-February), monitor soil carefully as the large leaves transpire significantly. In winter months (June-August), reduce watering frequency but never allow complete drying. Remember, every home environment is different - adjust watering based on your specific conditions, potting medium, and seasonal changes. Chunky, well-draining medium will dry out faster than fine, peat-heavy potting mix.
Temperature: Thrives in warm Australian indoor temperatures between 18-24°C with consistent conditions. Your Calathea Rattlesnake is sensitive to temperature fluctuations and cold drafts - protect from air conditioning vents and sudden changes that can cause leaf curling and stress.
Humidity: Demands high humidity levels (60-80%) for optimal health and pattern development. Group with other tropical plants to create beneficial microclimates that replicate Brazilian rainforest conditions. This is absolutely essential for preventing brown leaf edges and maintaining the gorgeous patterns that make this prayer plant so extraordinary.
Fertilising: Feed with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at quarter strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (September-March in Australia). Calatheas are sensitive to over-fertilisation, so gentle feeding with professional-grade nutrients supports healthy growth while maintaining those spectacular snake-like patterns.
Soil Requirements: Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot while maintaining the consistent moisture this Brazilian native requires for optimal pattern development.
Perfect For
- Intermediate plant parents ready for a rewarding tropical challenge
- Pet-owning families seeking stunning non-toxic plants
- Australian homes with bright, humid bathroom or kitchen locations
- Plant enthusiasts who appreciate living movement and daily prayer displays
- Collectors seeking the most dramatically patterned foliage plants available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calathea Rattlesnake safe for pets?
Yes! Calathea Rattlesnake is completely non-toxic and safe for both cats and dogs. This makes it an excellent choice for Australian families who want to enjoy spectacular tropical foliage without worrying about pet safety, though the dramatic patterns might attract curious pets to investigate.
Why are my Rattlesnake Plant leaves curling and browning?
Leaf curling and brown edges typically indicate low humidity, inconsistent watering, or water quality issues. Calathea Rattlesnake is sensitive to tap water chemicals - use filtered, distilled, or rainwater for best results. Increase humidity and maintain consistent soil moisture to restore healthy foliage.
Why isn't my Calathea doing its prayer movements?
Prayer movements are natural and should occur daily with healthy Rattlesnake Plants. Lack of movement can indicate stress from improper lighting, low humidity, or inconsistent care. Maintain optimal conditions and the fascinating nyctinastic behaviour should resume as plant health improves.
How can I increase humidity for my Calathea Rattlesnake?
Group your Calathea Rattlesnake with other humidity-loving plants to create natural microclimates. Avoid using water trays with pebbles as these don't provide sufficient humidity. Consider using a humidifier during dry Australian conditions or positioning in naturally humid rooms like bathrooms with adequate light.
Every Calathea Rattlesnake from Growing Grounds Australia is carefully selected for exceptional pattern quality, plant health, and vibrant colours. We're passionate about sharing these incredible Brazilian treasures with Australian plant enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect combination of stunning beauty and pet-safe peace of mind.
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 🌱
