Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic to pets
Calathea Rattlesnake
Goeppertia insignis · Marantaceae
Moderate
Pet-safe
Goeppertia insignis, commonly known as the Rattlesnake Plant, is a tropical foliage plant native to the rainforests of Brazil. It is prized for its long, lance-shaped leaves marked with alternating dark green ovals along a lighter green surface, and deep purple undersides. Like other members of the Marantaceae family, it displays nyctinasty, folding its leaves upward at night and reopening them in the morning.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; avoid direct sun
💧 Water
Keep evenly moist; never waterlogged or bone dry
🌡 Temp
18-29°C
💦 Humidity
High; 60% or above preferred
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, peat-free, moisture-retentive mix
🍽 Feeding
Fortnightly in spring and summer with balanced liquid fertiliser
Photo: Chhe (talk) / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Calathea Rattlesnake
Light
Goeppertia insignis thrives in bright, indirect light and will tolerate moderate shade, making it suited to spots away from windows. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it bleaches and scorches the decorative leaf markings. An east- or north-facing windowsill, or a position set back from a south- or west-facing window screened by a sheer curtain, is ideal. Insufficient light causes the leaf patterns to fade and growth to slow markedly.
Watering
Water when the top centimetre or two of compost feels dry, using room-temperature water that has been left to stand for at least 24 hours or, ideally, collected rainwater. Calatheas are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine, which can cause brown leaf tips. Keep the compost consistently moist during the growing season but reduce watering slightly in autumn and winter. Never allow the pot to sit in standing water, as root rot develops quickly in waterlogged conditions.
Soil and potting
A loose, well-draining compost with good moisture retention is best. A suitable mix can be made by combining two parts peat-free houseplant compost with one part perlite and one part fine bark chips. Good aeration around the roots helps prevent rot while retaining enough moisture to satisfy the plant's tropical origins. Avoid heavy, compacted mixes.
Feeding
Feed every two weeks from April to September using a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser at half the recommended strength. Overfeeding can cause salt build-up in the soil, leading to leaf tip burn. No feeding is required from October through to March, when growth naturally slows. Flush the compost through with plain water occasionally to prevent fertiliser salt accumulation.
Humidity and temperature
This plant requires high humidity, ideally above 60%, to maintain healthy foliage and prevent the leaf edges from browning. Grouping plants together, placing the pot on a tray of moist pebbles, or using a humidifier nearby are all effective methods. Misting is less reliable and can encourage fungal issues if water sits on leaves. Maintain temperatures between 18°C and 29°C and keep the plant away from cold draughts, radiators, and air conditioning units, as sudden temperature fluctuations cause stress.
Repotting
Repot every one to two years in spring when roots begin to circle the pot base or emerge from drainage holes. Choose a pot only one size larger, as overpotting increases the risk of root rot. Use fresh compost at repotting to replenish nutrients and improve drainage. Handle the roots gently as Goeppertia insignis resents significant root disturbance, and water lightly after repotting.
Pruning
Pruning requirements are minimal. Remove any yellowed, dead, or badly damaged leaves at the base of the petiole using clean scissors or a blade to keep the plant tidy and prevent rot or disease spreading. Cutting back healthy foliage is not necessary or beneficial. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust, which can inhibit light absorption.
Is Calathea Rattlesnake toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. According to ASPCA classifications, Goeppertia insignis (Calathea lancifolia) is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is also considered non-toxic to horses.
People: Not considered toxic to humans; however, as with most houseplants, ingestion is not recommended, particularly for young children.
People: Not considered toxic to humans; however, as with most houseplants, ingestion is not recommended, particularly for young children.
Common problems
Brown, crispy leaf edges and tips
Likely cause: Low humidity, fluoride or chlorine in tap water, or underwatering Fix: Increase ambient humidity, switch to rainwater or filtered water, and ensure the compost does not dry out fully between waterings.
Yellowing leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering, waterlogged compost, or poor drainage leading to root rot Fix: Allow the compost to partially dry, check drainage holes are not blocked, and inspect roots for rot. Remove affected roots and repot into fresh, well-draining compost if necessary.
Faded, washed-out leaf markings
Likely cause: Excessive direct sunlight bleaching the pigmentation Fix: Move the plant to a position with bright but indirect light, shielded from direct sun rays.
Curling leaves
Likely cause: Underwatering, low humidity, or cold temperatures Fix: Water thoroughly, raise humidity levels, and ensure the plant is kept above 18°C and away from cold draughts.
Tiny webbing on leaves, stippled or bronzed foliage
Likely cause: Spider mite infestation, encouraged by dry air Fix: Increase humidity immediately, wipe affected leaves with a damp cloth, and treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution, repeating every week for several weeks.
Sticky residue or small insects on leaves and stems
Likely cause: Scale insects or mealybugs Fix: Remove individual insects manually with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, then treat the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap, repeating weekly until the infestation clears.
How to propagate
Division
The most reliable method for home growers. At repotting time in spring, gently separate the rhizome clumps, ensuring each division has at least two or three healthy stems and a good root system, then pot each section into fresh compost and keep warm and humid until established.
Where Calathea Rattlesnake comes from
Native to Brazil.
Story and origins
The genus name Goeppertia honours Heinrich Robert Goeppert (1800-1884), a German botanist and palaeobotanist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil plants. The species epithet insignis is Latin for 'remarkable' or 'distinguished', a reference to the plant's striking and decorative foliage. The synonym Calathea, under which this plant was formerly classified, derives from the Greek word kalathos, meaning a wicker basket, thought to allude either to the basket-like appearance of some flowers in the genus or to the traditional use of leaves in basket weaving.
Goeppertia insignis was first formally described by the German-British botanist Richard Schomburgk in the nineteenth century during botanical explorations of South America. The genus Calathea, to which it was long assigned, was first described by the botanist George Don in 1839, and the Rattlesnake Plant became a popular Victorian greenhouse specimen as interest in exotic tropical foliage plants grew among European horticulturalists. The widespread 2012 revision of the Marantaceae family by Borchsenius and colleagues moved many Calathea species, including this one, into the reinstated genus Goeppertia, though commercial and popular use of the name Calathea persists strongly to this day.
Varieties to know
Goeppertia insignis (syn. Calathea lancifolia)
The species itself is the plant widely sold under the trade name Rattlesnake Plant; no widely recognised cultivars are in mainstream UK commercial production at this time.
Fun facts
- The leaf movement exhibited by Goeppertia insignis at night, known as nyctinasty, is driven by changes in water pressure within specialised cells at the base of the leaf stalk called pulvini.
- The common name 'Rattlesnake Plant' refers to the pattern of dark, elongated ovals on the leaves, which resemble the markings on a rattlesnake's skin.
- In its native Brazilian rainforest habitat, Goeppertia insignis grows as a ground-dwelling plant in the understorey, where it is adapted to low light and consistently high humidity.
- The genus name Goeppertia was reinstated in 2012 following a large-scale taxonomic revision; many plants still sold as Calathea now belong to Goeppertia, though the trade name Calathea remains widely used.
- The large, patterned leaves of plants in the Marantaceae family are sometimes used by indigenous peoples in South America to wrap food, taking advantage of their size and durability.
Calathea Rattlesnake FAQ
Why do my Rattlesnake Plant's leaves have brown edges?
Brown leaf edges are most commonly caused by low humidity, fluoride or chlorine in tap water, or the plant drying out too much between waterings. Try switching to rainwater or water that has been left to stand overnight, raise the humidity around the plant, and water before the compost dries out completely.
Why does my Rattlesnake Plant move its leaves?
This is a natural process called nyctinasty. The leaves fold upward in the evening and reopen in the morning in response to changes in light levels, driven by water pressure in specialised cells called pulvini at the base of the leaf stalks. It is a sign of a healthy plant.
Is the Rattlesnake Plant safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. Goeppertia insignis is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA. It is one of the safer houseplants to keep in a home with pets.
How often should I water my Rattlesnake Plant?
There is no fixed schedule; instead, check the compost regularly and water when the top one to two centimetres feel dry. In most homes during summer this may mean watering once or twice a week, reducing to every ten to fourteen days in winter. Consistency and avoiding both waterlogging and prolonged dryness are key.
Can I grow a Rattlesnake Plant in a bathroom?
Yes, a bathroom is often an excellent location provided there is adequate indirect natural light. The naturally higher humidity from showers and baths suits this plant very well and can reduce the need for additional humidity measures.
Why are my Rattlesnake Plant's leaves curling?
Leaf curling is usually a stress response to underwatering, very low humidity, or cold temperatures. Check the compost moisture, raise humidity if needed, and ensure the plant is positioned away from draughts and cold windows.
Is Calathea rattlesnake the same as Goeppertia insignis?
Yes. Calathea lancifolia, commonly called the Rattlesnake Plant, was reclassified in 2012 and is now correctly named Goeppertia insignis. The name Calathea rattlesnake is an informal trade name. All three names refer to the same plant.
