Calathea Silver Peacock Plant

Stunning green and silver patterned leaves on upright stems. Spring to summer in the right conditions, the long stems of soft pink flowers unfurl.

South and Central America as well as the West Indies. They do flower, but they pale in comparison to the foliage. The small spikes have little white bracts. Outdoors grow in a sheltered, shady position that is frost free. Syn. Goeppertia bicajoux. Commonly known as Silver Peacock plant.

Is it speaking to me? Rolled in leaves mean they need more water. Brown edges are an indication of being too dry or not enough humidity. Pale, droopy leaves is a sign of too much water. Yellow leaves could be your tap water, use filtered water, or let your watering can stand overnight to allow the chlorine/fluoride to evaporate.

Size: 20-60cm x 20-50cm can be kept smaller in lower light, with less watering and minimal pruning. Grows larger in higher light with more regular watering and by potting on to a larger container.

Water Needs: Average. Water well in spring/summer and only weekly to every other week in winter – they don’t like to be cold and wet. Ideally use filtered water/rain water/distilled water/allow tap water to sit over night as they can be a bit sensitive to the chemicals in tap water.

Calathea will grow best with some humidity. If live in a cold climate, your heating in winter might dry the plant out (leaf tips will turn brown or just drop off. You can provide some humidity for your beloved plant, by placing them over a plate with rocks and water, this will naturally form humidity around the plant. You can also spritz the leaves every so often, which will also help to keep them clean.

I will Survive: They grow best in a bright, indirect light – if you need a light to read by during the day in their position, it is too dark. Their ideal temperature range is 16-28C – they will of course cope outside this range but not for prolonged periods. They don’t like drafts or big temperature changes. Repot every other year in spring.