Goeppertia makoyana

Common Names

Peacock Plant, Cathedral Windows, Prayer Plant

Summary

Peacock Plant, a rhizomatous evergreen perennial native to the eastern Brazilian rainforest understory, forms a clump with an upright habit reaching roughly 30–60 cm tall and 20–30 cm wide. Foliage features large oval leaves with a pale green to creamy background and dark green feather-like markings, and purple undersides; leaves exhibit nyctinastic movement, opening by day and folding at night.

Cultivation emphasizes bright indirect light, warmth, and high humidity; soil should be moist but well-drained, using a moisture-retentive mix and soft water such as distilled or rainwater; temperatures about 18–24°C (65–75°F); humidity around 60% or higher; keep away from direct sun and cold drafts; fertilize lightly in growing season and repot every 1–2 years; propagate by division during repotting; commonly used as an indoor ornamental foliage plant or in interiorscapes; potential pests include spider mites; blooms are small and inconspicuous.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-48 inches

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zone 11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; a little direct light in the evening or morning.

Soil Type

Moist, well-draining, organic-rich soil (peat-based mix with perlite or vermiculite)

Soil Drainage

Well-draining, moist but not waterlogged soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Year-round

Foliage Color

Green leaves with dark green blotches; purple undersides.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth overall, with intensive growth from March to October and a significant slowdown in winter.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Division, Cuttings, Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts insect pollinators