Care tips: Calathea family
The lush coloured and patterned leaves of the Peacock Plant (Calathea) make this a favourite choice for many people. Native to Brazil, the Peacock Plant naturally grows on the rainforest floor. To give your plant the best care, try to replicate similar conditions in your space.
💧 Watering
- Moisture: Try not to let the Kokedama be completely dry for too long. Peacock Plants prefer to be consistently moist. They also thrive in humidity, so the damp ball will create this micro-climate around the plant as the water evaporates.
- Quality: They are sensitive to tap water chemicals (fluoride/chlorine). Use filtered, distilled, or boiled & cooled tap water. If you find your plantis getting brown/crispy leaves from normal tap water, definitely try this tip.
☀️ Light & Temperature
- Light: Place in bright, filtered, indirect light. Strictly avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the delicate leaves.
- Climate: Keep between 18–25°C. Avoid cold drafts, and preferably a keep a bit of humidity present. Think displaying on a pebble tray, or mist regularly.
✂️ Maintenance
- Pruning: As the plant ages, outer fronds may turn yellow or brown. This is normal; simply trim them off cleanly at the base using sanitised scissors.
🐶🐱 Pet safety
- Peacock plants are non-toxic. However, the fibrous texture can occasionally cause a mild upset stomach.