Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic to pets
Peacock Plant
Goeppertia makoyana · Marantaceae
Demanding
Pet-safe
Goeppertia makoyana, widely known as the peacock plant, is a striking foliage houseplant native to the rainforests of eastern Brazil. Its large, oval leaves display an intricate pattern of dark green ovals on a pale green background, mirroring the eyespots of a peacock's tail feather, with deep purple undersides. The species belongs to the prayer plant family and performs nyctinasty, folding its leaves upward at night and lowering them again in daylight.
☀ Light
Bright, indirect light; no direct sun
💧 Water
Keep evenly moist; avoid waterlogging
🌡 Temp
16 to 24 degrees C
💦 Humidity
High; 60% or above preferred
🌿 Soil
Free-draining, peat-free, moisture-retentive mix
🍽 Feeding
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 2 to 4 weeks in growing season
Photo: Chhe (talk) / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Peacock Plant
Light
Goeppertia makoyana thrives in bright, indirect light that replicates the dappled conditions of a tropical forest understorey. A position a metre or two back from an east- or north-facing window suits it well. Direct sunlight will bleach and scorch the delicate leaf markings, while very low light causes the patterns to fade and slows growth considerably. Rotate the pot periodically so all sides receive even light.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top centimetre or two of compost feels dry, then allow the excess to drain fully. Goeppertia makoyana is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging; consistently wet roots encourage root rot, while drying out causes leaf curl and brown edges. Use room-temperature, filtered, or rainwater where possible, as the species is sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine found in tap water. Reduce watering frequency in autumn and winter when growth slows.
Soil and potting
A free-draining yet moisture-retentive mix is ideal. A blend of two parts peat-free multipurpose compost, one part perlite, and one part coarse horticultural sand or bark works well. Good aeration prevents root rot while retaining enough moisture to satisfy the plant between waterings. Avoid heavy, compacted compost as this restricts drainage and oxygen to the roots.
Feeding
Feed every two to four weeks during the active growing season (April to September) using a balanced, half-strength liquid fertiliser. Do not feed in winter when the plant is resting, as excess nutrients can accumulate in the soil and cause salt burn visible as brown leaf tips. Over-feeding is as detrimental as under-feeding, so err on the side of caution with dosage.
Humidity and temperature
High humidity of at least 60 per cent is essential for healthy foliage; levels below 40 per cent typically result in brown, crispy leaf edges. Grouping plants together, placing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, or using a humidifier are the most reliable methods. Avoid misting directly onto leaves as this can encourage fungal spots. Temperatures between 16 and 24 degrees C suit this species; it will not tolerate cold draughts, sudden temperature fluctuations, or temperatures below 13 degrees C.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years in spring when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or circle the root ball visibly. Choose a pot only one size larger, as overpotting in an oversized container increases the risk of root rot. Use fresh compost at each repotting. Terracotta pots can dry the compost too quickly unless lined; plastic or glazed ceramic pots help retain the consistent moisture this species needs.
Pruning
Goeppertia makoyana requires minimal pruning. Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base of the stem using clean, sharp scissors or snips to maintain appearance and prevent the spread of disease. Do not cut into healthy foliage unnecessarily. Tidying spent or discoloured leaves as they appear is sufficient to keep the plant looking its best.
Is Peacock Plant toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. Goeppertia makoyana (formerly Calathea makoyana) is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is also considered non-toxic to horses.
People: Not considered toxic to humans; safe to grow in households with children, though ingestion of houseplant material is generally inadvisable.
People: Not considered toxic to humans; safe to grow in households with children, though ingestion of houseplant material is generally inadvisable.
Common problems
Brown, crispy leaf edges and tips
Likely cause: Low humidity, fluoride or chlorine in tap water, or underwatering Fix: Increase humidity using a pebble tray or humidifier, switch to rainwater or filtered water, and ensure compost does not dry out completely between waterings.
Yellowing lower leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged compost causing root rot Fix: Allow the compost to dry slightly more between waterings, check drainage holes are unobstructed, and if root rot is suspected, repot into fresh compost, trimming any blackened roots.
Faded or washed-out leaf markings
Likely cause: Too much direct sunlight or excessively low light Fix: Move the plant to a position with bright, indirect light, shielded from direct sun. If light levels are very low, consider a grow light during winter.
Curling or rolling leaves
Likely cause: Underwatering, low humidity, or cold draughts Fix: Water thoroughly, increase ambient humidity, and move the plant away from cold windows, air conditioning vents, or draughty doorways.
Fine webbing on leaves with pale, stippled foliage
Likely cause: Red spider mite infestation, typically associated with hot, dry conditions Fix: Raise humidity immediately, wash the plant with a damp cloth or gentle spray of water, and treat with an appropriate insecticidal soap or neem oil solution, repeating weekly until clear.
Sticky residue on leaves with distorted new growth
Likely cause: Scale insects or mealybugs feeding on plant sap Fix: Remove visible pests manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, then treat the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray, isolating it from other houseplants during treatment.
How to propagate
Division
The most reliable method. At repotting time in spring, carefully separate the rhizome clumps by hand or with a clean knife, ensuring each section has several healthy stems and roots attached, then pot each division individually into fresh compost and keep warm and humid while they establish.
Stem cuttings
Take a cutting with at least one node and leaf, trim the stem to around 10 centimetres, and place it in a glass of room-temperature water or moist perlite in a warm, humid spot out of direct light. Rooting can be slow and is not always reliable compared with division.
Where Peacock Plant comes from
Native to Brazil.
Story and origins
The genus name Goeppertia honours Heinrich Robert Goeppert (1800 to 1884), a German botanist and palaeobotanist who was professor of botany at the University of Breslau and made significant contributions to the study of fossil plants. The species epithet makoyana commemorates Jacob Makoy (1790 to 1873), a Belgian nurseryman and plant collector based in Liege who played an important role in introducing and distributing tropical plants to European horticulture during the nineteenth century.
Goeppertia makoyana was first described to Western science in the mid-nineteenth century, during the period of intense botanical collecting in tropical South America that followed European colonial expansion into Brazil. The plant was introduced to European horticulture largely through Belgian and British nurseries, which competed fiercely to cultivate and sell newly discovered tropical species to a growing middle-class market for exotic houseplants during the Victorian era. Its dramatic foliage made it a prized specimen in the collections of botanical gardens and wealthy private conservatories. With the twentieth-century rise of centrally heated homes, calatheas and their relatives gradually became accessible as everyday houseplants, and Goeppertia makoyana remains one of the most recognisable members of its family worldwide.
Varieties to know
Goeppertia makoyana (standard species)
The species itself is the form most commonly available; cultivar selection within this species is limited compared to related Goeppertia species.
Fun facts
- The plant performs nyctinasty, a circadian movement driven by changes in light levels rather than temperature, with leaves folding upward at night and unfurling each morning.
- Goeppertia makoyana was reclassified from the genus Calathea to Goeppertia in 2012 following molecular phylogenetic studies, though nurseries and retailers still widely sell it under the older name.
- The intricate leaf patterning is produced by differing concentrations of chlorophyll across the leaf surface, with pale areas containing fewer chloroplasts.
- In its native Brazilian rainforest habitat, the large leaf area and nyctinastic movements are thought to help the plant maximise light capture during daylight hours in the shaded understorey.
- The family Marantaceae takes its common name, the arrowroot family, from the starchy rhizomes of Maranta arundinacea, which have been used as a food source by indigenous peoples of tropical America.
Peacock Plant FAQ
Why are the edges of my peacock plant's leaves turning brown and crispy?
Brown leaf edges are most commonly caused by low humidity, the use of fluoride- or chlorine-treated tap water, or allowing the compost to dry out too much. Try switching to rainwater or filtered water, increasing humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier, and watering before the compost dries out completely.
Why does my peacock plant move its leaves up and down?
This is nyctinasty, a natural circadian movement driven by changes in light. Leaves fold upward in the evening and return to a horizontal position in daylight. It is entirely normal and a sign of a healthy plant.
Is Goeppertia makoyana the same as Calathea makoyana?
Yes. Following a reclassification in 2012 based on genetic studies, many plants formerly in the Calathea genus, including this species, were moved to the genus Goeppertia. The name Calathea makoyana is still widely used in the trade, so both names refer to the same plant.
How often should I water my peacock plant?
There is no fixed schedule as frequency depends on your home's temperature, light, and humidity. Check the top couple of centimetres of compost; water thoroughly when it feels just dry, then allow it to drain. In a warm, bright room this may be every five to seven days in summer and less often in winter.
Can I keep a peacock plant if I have cats or dogs?
Yes. Goeppertia makoyana is classified as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, making it one of the safer decorative houseplants to keep in a pet-friendly home.
My peacock plant's leaf patterns look faded. What is wrong?
Fading markings are usually caused by too much direct sunlight, which bleaches the leaf surface, or by very low light levels, which reduce the contrast between the patterned areas. Move the plant to a position with bright, indirect light and the new growth should show stronger colouration.
How do I propagate a peacock plant?
The most reliable method is division at repotting time in spring. Gently separate the root mass into sections, each with several stems and healthy roots, and pot them up individually. Stem cuttings are possible but root slowly and with less consistency than division.
