Peacock plant

Peacock plant: how do you recognise it?

Growth habit

Compact, clump-forming foliage plant about 50 cm tall and wide, with leaves on long, slender stalks.

Leaves

Thin and oval, 15–25 cm long; pale green with dark green, feather-like blotches along the veins and purplish red beneath.

Movement

The leaves fold upwards in the evening and lower again by day; this is normal.

Flower

Rare indoors and inconspicuous; the plant is grown for its foliage.

Roots

Thick, fleshy roots from a short rhizome; they cannot stand wet feet.

Plants: April–May

Why grow it?

• A beautiful, almost painted leaf pattern that makes the plant a work of art.
• Looks good on a table, a cupboard or in a bathroom with a window, as it stays around 50 cm.
• The leaves move: by day they lie flat and in the evening they fold upwards.
• Brings a tropical feel to the house, even in a corner with little direct sun.
• No flowers or much work, once you know what it needs.

Peacock plant: where does it grow best?

• Light shade or bright indirect light: by a north- or east-facing window, or well back from a south-facing one. Sun scorches and fades the thin leaves.
• Loose, humus-rich, slightly acid potting compost with peat and perlite that holds moisture yet drains well.
• Warm: 18–25 °C and never below 15 °C. No draughts and no cold windowsill.
• High humidity of at least 60% is important: a pebble tray, a humidifier or a bathroom helps.

Light

Bright, out of direct sun or low light

Potting soil

Multi-purpose compost or airy, humus-rich compost

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Watering

Moderately or generously

Size

0.5 m tall, 0.5 m wide

Temperature

Minimum 15 °C

Goes well with

• Rattlesnake plant (Calathea): A related calathea with blotched foliage for the same spot.
• Prayer plant (Maranta): Moving leaves and the same warmth and humidity.
• Ferns: A fresh green counterpart for a humid corner.
• Nerve plant (Fittonia): A low foliage plant that also loves warmth and humidity.

Peacock plant: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Repot in April–May, when the roots fill the pot; a young plant every 1–2 years.
2. Choose a pot with drainage holes, one size larger than the last, and put clay pebbles in the bottom for drainage.
3. Use an airy, slightly acid potting compost with plenty of organic matter and perlite.
4. Set the plant at the same depth as before and firm the compost gently without damaging the roots.
5. Water with lukewarm, low-lime water and put it in a bright spot out of the sun.

Care

Water

Keep the compost lightly moist, never wet and never bone dry. Use rainwater or filtered water: tap water causes brown leaf edges.

Humidity

The thin leaves dry out quickly. Use a pebble tray or humidifier; misting helps only briefly.

Feeding

From April to September, every 2–4 weeks, give half the dose of a foliage plant feed. Not in winter.

Cleaning

Wipe dust off gently with a damp cloth; the thin leaves tear easily.

Repotting

Once every 1–2 years in spring, into a pot one size larger or after dividing.

Tip: Use rainwater or filtered water and keep the compost lightly moist. Provide high humidity and keep it out of the sun and draughts.

Peacock plant: when to prune it?

When: You hardly need to prune: remove old, yellow or damaged leaves as needed.

How:

• Cut yellow, brown or damaged leaves off with their stalks, just above the soil.
• If needed, remove brown tips with scissors, following the natural leaf shape.
• Leave healthy leaves; the plant needs them.
• Remove dead leaves at once, so mould cannot develop on them.

Caution: Use clean scissors and always cut at the base, not halfway up the stalk.

Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In April–May when repotting: take the plant out of the pot, gently divide the rootball into pieces with roots and at least 3–4 leaves and pot them separately. Keep them warm, humid and sheltered until they grow on.

Peacock plant: how does it get through the winter?

• Not hardy: the minimum temperature is 15 °C. It must never overwinter outdoors.
• Keep it warm (18–20 °C) and bright, away from a cold window or draughts.
• Water less and do not feed; the compost may dry out slightly on top.
• With central heating, provide extra humidity, because dry air turns leaf edges brown.

Diseases and pests

• Brown, crispy leaf edges: Dry air or tap water with a lot of lime or fluoride. Raise the humidity and use rainwater or filtered water.
• Curling leaves: A sign of thirst, dry air or a draught. Water, put down a pebble tray and keep the plant out of draughts.
• Faded or scorched leaves: Too much sun makes the pattern fade and leaves dry patches. Move it out of the sun, into light shade.
• Spider mites: Fine webbing and speckled leaves in dry, warm air. Rinse or wipe the leaves clean and raise the humidity.
• Yellow leaves: Old leaves turn yellow naturally. Many yellow leaves mean too wet or too little light. Let the compost dry out a little and move it somewhere brighter.

Through the year

• January: Rest: keep warm, less water, no feeding.
• February: Rest. Keep an eye on humidity.
• March: Slowly give more water again. Do not feed yet.
• April: Repot or divide. Start feeding.
• May: Repot or divide. Feed every 2–4 weeks.
• June: Growing season. Keep water and humidity up.
• July: Growing season. Keep out of the sun.
• August: Growing season. Watch for spider mites.
• September: Feed less.
• October: Stop feeding. Move away from cold draughts.
• November: Rest. Little water, keep warm.
• December: Rest: warm, bright and draught-free.

Did you know?

• The species name ‘makoyana’ honours the Belgian nurseryman Jacob Makoy of Liège.
• The English name ‘peacock plant’ refers to the leaf pattern, which recalls the feathers of a peacock’s tail.
• The leaves fold upwards in the evening, as in other plants of the prayer plant family.