A peacock-feather pattern
Elongated dark marks follow the lateral veins and build rhythmic, almost painted symmetry.
20
Calathea makoyana 12cm
Normal price
€11,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Calathea makoyana
Stained glass by day, choreography after dark
- Marantaceae
- Peacock pattern
- Indirect light
- Even moisture
- Non-toxic to pets
Calathea makoyana looks painted over translucent green: darker oval brushstrokes spread symmetrically from the midrib, while a burgundy reverse changes the entire picture as leaves lift.
Fine texture and an orderly pattern bring precision without stiffness. As blades alter their angle between day and night, the plant never looks exactly the same for long.
What makes it distinctive
A pale background, dark brushstrokes and a moving burgundy reverse create one of the most recognisable foliage displays in Marantaceae.
Light passing through the blade
Pale green areas have a thin, luminous quality that makes the pattern resemble natural stained glass.
Two faces in motion
As leaves rise, the deep purple lower surface comes forward and shifts the whole palette.
Why you will love it: it offers graphic detail, gentle volume and daily movement without needing flowers to hold attention.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Display it on a low stand, broad shelf or table away from strong sun, with room for the clump to open. Deep wine, soft grey, ivory or dark green planters connect the upper and lower leaf colours.
Plants that set it off
Pair it with textures that enjoy steady moisture and indirect light but keep a cleaner or finer line than the peacock pattern.
- Maranta leuconeura — related night movement arrives with different venation and a lower habit.
- Nephrolepis exaltata — fine feathery fronds make an airy green background.
- Spathiphyllum wallisii — calm solid blades let the makoyana pattern take the lead.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright to medium and always indirect. Direct sun can fade and scorch the pattern.
Water
Water when the top 1–2 cm dries. Maintain gentle, even moisture without permanent saturation.
Atmosphere
Keep at 18–26°C with consistently raised humidity and protection from hot or cold draughts.
Pets
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, although chewing any plant material may still cause stomach upset.
Selected for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light without exposure
Place it in bright indirect light behind a sheer curtain or set back from a strong window. Deep shade thins growth, but direct sun is the more common cause of fading and scorch.
Consistent watering
Water when the top 1–2 cm dries and let excess drain away. The mix should remain lightly moist, never muddy, and should not dry through completely between waterings.
Water quality and humidity
Soft or low-mineral water helps where tap water is hard. Stable humidity around 55–70% limits dry edges more effectively than occasional misting.
Temperature
Keep it at 18–26°C, away from cold glass, air conditioning and radiators. Sudden changes show quickly along the thin leaf margins.
Substrate
Use a fine, airy mix able to hold even moisture. The pot must drain freely and repotting should move up by only one size.
Nutrition and repotting
During active growth, use Liquid Gold Leaf, a complete NPK feed with calcium and magnesium, at the label rate and on lightly moist mix. Reduce or pause feeding when growth slows, and do not combine it indiscriminately with another complete fertilizer.
Botanical identityOrigin & taxonomic identityThe species, origin and cultivated selection
The accepted name is Goeppertia
Goeppertia makoyana is the accepted name in Marantaceae. The widely recognised Calathea makoyana remains a synonym and a familiar trade name.
Brazilian origin
Its native range is documented in Espírito Santo state in eastern Brazil, within the wet tropical biome.
A modern taxonomic combination
Transfer of the species into genus Goeppertia was published in 2012. The change did not create a new plant; it aligned the name with modern understanding of the group.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific details nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who likes to look beyond the surface
Movement happens at a specialised joint
A pulvinus at the blade base changes turgor and alters leaf angle. This nyctinastic movement responds to the light-dark cycle.
It is a monocot
As a member of Zingiberales, it develops a parallel organisation of veins unlike the typical network found in many broad-leaved eudicots.
New growth begins from a rhizome
Shoots emerge from an underground rhizomatous system and gradually build a denser clump. Division therefore requires sections with their own roots and growing points.
The pattern is tissue, not surface paint
Pale and dark zones arise from differences in pigment distribution and tissue structure. They do not wipe away, and every new blade carries its own variation.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about behaviour, common signs and correct care for this plant.
01 The peacock pattern is fading. Does it need more light?
Possibly, but never direct sun. If the position is very dark, move it gradually into brighter indirect light. If pale dry patches face the window, reduce direct exposure first.
02 When exactly should I water?
Check the top 1–2 cm. Once that layer has just dried, water evenly and let it drain. If the pot remains heavy and the mix wet, wait; the target is consistency, not constant saturation.
03 Can I divide the clump?
Yes, during repotting and only when there are several strong sections with their own roots. Division is stressful, so keep new sections warm, moist but not saturated, and away from strong light.
04 Why are the leaf edges turning brown?
Low humidity, irregular watering, hard water, salt accumulation or draughts can all contribute. Correct one factor at a time and trim only fully dry tissue without cutting into healthy green.
05 Why do the leaves move during the day?
A changing angle between day and night is normal movement in the Marantaceae and is driven by a specialised joint at the leaf base. It is concerning only when drooping comes with dry mix or soft petioles.
06 Is it safe for cats and dogs?
Plants sold as Calathea/Goeppertia are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Even so, eating a large amount of any plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, so chewing should still be discouraged.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.