The Peacock Coriander is a rather small Calathea with decorative, colorful leaves. It's not exactly easy to care for, but it's definitely worth the effort.
With its strikingly patterned leaves, the Calathea makoyana immediately catches the eye. In the right location, it usually develops splendidly and presents its foliage for a long time before the pattern and color fade with age.
Calathea makoyana: flower, origin and properties
The peacock osiera (Calathea makoyana), often referred to simply as osiera, is native to Brazil where it is found in moist, shady rainforests. Due to its decorative leaves, it is very popular as a houseplant in temperate latitudes. However, caring for them is a bit demanding and requires a certain amount of finesse to keep the peacock cinnamon he althy. The bushy plant reaches heights of 30 to 50 cm and forms leaves up to 15 cm in size, which are patterned in different shades of green. The underside of the leaf is reddish-violet in colour. As the leaves of Coriander (Calathea) curl up at night, one can enjoy the colored underside. The leaves of the peacock basket marant sit on thin stalks that arise from the bulbous rhizome. When the Calathea makoyana is kept as a houseplant, its flowers are rarely seen. The yellow spikes of flowers appear in January and February at the natural habitat of the peacock garnet.
Location, soil and co. for the houseplant
The conditions for the houseplant should look similar to the tropical natural habitat of the peacock cinnamon. The Calathea makoyana needs a spot in the semi-shade without direct sun. A little light is tolerated at most in the evening or morning hours. In addition, it should be sufficiently warm all year round. The peacock basket marante needs high temperatures of 23 to 25 °C during the growth period. In the winter it shoulda little cooler, but not colder than 18 °C. High humidity is a must for the Calathea makoyana. This can be achieved, for example, by filling the saucer of the peacock basket marante with expanded clay and a little water and then placing the pot on the expanded clay. The plant does not stand directly in the wet, but only benefits from the evaporation in the immediate vicinity. Alternatively, you can spray the peacock basket marante with water every day. However, this can lead to lime stains on the leaves.
After purchase, the Calathea makoyana should be planted in a suitable substrate. A nutrient-rich and humic, rather coarse soil with a slightly acidic pH range is ideal. A suitable soil is therefore, for example, our Plantura organic universal soil, which is also produced without the use of peat and retains a loose, permeable structure. Since the Calathea makoyana does not tolerate waterlogging very well, 1 part expanded clay should be mixed with 2 parts soil. The expanded clay can be used directly to create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot, through which excess water can drain off easily.
Tip: In order to lower the pH value of the substrate a bit, you can add a little pine litter, sour bedrock powder or pine bark to the soil.
Calathea makoyana care: the most important measures
The basic measures of Calathea makoyana care include watering and fertilizing. The peacock basket marante requires even soil moisture and must be watered regularly, especially during the growing season. The substrate should always be slightly damp to the touch, but not waterlogged - this is best prevented with the drainage layer mentioned above. In winter, less water is poured, but the root ball must not dry out under any circumstances. Ideally, soft rainwater should be used for watering, since tap water is usually too hard and contains too much lime and thus prevents the roots from absorbing nutrients in the long term.
Tip: Providing a high level of humidity is also an important precaution, as the peacock yellow rose is often attacked by spider mites in dry air.
Fertilize every 2 weeks from spring to autumn, preferably with a liquid fertilizer that is easy to put into the soil. For example, our Plantura organic room and green plant fertilizer is suitable for this. In addition to important nutrients, this contains microorganisms that promote root growthpromote the peacock basket marante. Fertilization is not necessary in winter.
The Calathea makoyana does not need pruning. However, if yellow or dried leaves are found on the plant, these can be cut off at the base.
Every year in spring it is time to repot the peacock cinnamon. The new pot should only be one size larger than the old one. Lift the plant out of the old pot and carefully remove the substrate from the roots. If rotten or dried roots are found, cut them off with a sharp knife. A drainage layer is laid in the new pot again and fresh substrate is filled in before the peacock basket marante is planted. For older and larger plants, repotting is the ideal time to propagate the Calathea makoyana.
Propagation
The Calathea makoyana is best propagated by division. In late spring, when growth has resumed, or for repotting, the peacock rosette is lifted out of the pot and the root ball is freed from the substrate. At this point, the root ball can be carefully separated into 2 parts, if necessary using a knife. Both parts should have some leaves and are then planted in 2 separate pots. Sufficient warmth and humidity must be ensured, especially after division, so that the plants grow well.
Is the peacock garnet poisonous?
The Calathea makoyana is not poisonous, but not suitable for consumption. There is no need to worry about pets in the presence of the Peacock Cornet.
The mosaic plant (Fittonia albivenis) has equally beautiful patterned, but much smaller leaves. But it is also easier to care for than the Calathea and well suited for beginners. With us you will learn how to plant and care for the mosaic plant.