Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Calathea makoyana
Description:
Calathea makoyana, commonly known as Peacock Plant, is an elegant evergreen perennial prized for its striking, decorative foliage. Native to Brazil, this tropical plant is known for its large, oval leaves, which feature intricate patterns of light and dark green with purplish undersides. It thrives in humid, low-light environments, making it ideal for indoor cultivation or shaded garden areas. Calathea makoyana adds a touch of tropical beauty to interiors and gardens alike with its stunning foliage.
Flowers:
While primarily grown for its ornamental leaves, Calathea makoyana may occasionally produce small, inconspicuous white or purple flowers. These blooms are rare in indoor settings and typically not a significant feature of the plant.
Foliage:
The leaves are the most striking feature of Calathea makoyana. Each leaf is oval-shaped and marked with a feather-like pattern of dark green on a lighter green background, resembling the pattern of a peacock’s feathers. The undersides of the leaves are a rich purple, adding contrast and color to the plant. The leaves move in response to light, folding upwards at night, adding a dynamic quality to the plant’s display.
Fruit:
Calathea makoyana does not produce significant fruit. Its primary ornamental value is its foliage.
Form and Size:
This plant typically grows to around 30-60 cm in height and width, forming a clumping habit. Its upright, bushy form makes it ideal for use as a feature plant in shady garden beds or as an indoor houseplant.
Growing Conditions:
Calathea makoyana thrives in bright, indirect light or shaded areas. It prefers well-drained, fertile soils with high organic content and requires consistent moisture to thrive. The plant is highly sensitive to dry conditions and will benefit from regular misting or the use of a humidity tray. It prefers warm, humid environments and should be protected from cold drafts and temperatures below 15°C (59°F).
Uses:
This plant is perfect for indoor spaces, where its intricate foliage can be fully appreciated. It is commonly grown as a houseplant in decorative containers, or in shaded, tropical garden settings. Its low-light tolerance makes it ideal for offices, living rooms, or other indoor areas with indirect light.
Maintenance:
Calathea makoyana requires regular care to thrive. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging, as it can lead to root rot. Misting the leaves or placing the plant near a humidity tray helps maintain the high humidity levels it prefers. Occasional pruning of damaged or yellowing leaves helps maintain the plant’s appearance. Fertilize with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season for optimal growth.
Notes:
Calathea makoyana is a non-toxic plant, making it safe for households with pets and children. It is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so it is best grown in stable indoor environments. Its leaves’ movement in response to light adds an interesting dynamic to its visual appeal, with the foliage folding up at night and reopening during the day.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with other tropical plants that prefer similar humidity levels, such as Philodendron, Ferns, and Maranta. It also looks great in combination with smaller, fine-textured plants like Fittonia or in contrast with broader-leafed plants like Alocasia.
Common Name: Peacock Plant
Botanical Name: Calathea makoyana
Family: Marantaceae
Origin: Brazil
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Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
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Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting