How to Grow Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant)? Planting Methods and Care Tips

Pot selection:  

14cm pot, height 35-40cm, crown spread 25-30cm, 1-2 plants per pot.

Substrate preparation:

Use a loose, well-draining and well-aerated substrate as the growing medium (5-40 grade imported peat can be used). Before transplanting, mix the substrate with a 1000x dilution of chlorothalonil solution. Mix the substrate and solution evenly (standard for adding water: after mixing with water, squeeze a handful of peat tightly and water should seep out between your fingers). Wait to pot up and plant.

Seedling screening requirements:

Select high-quality seedlings from professional growers, seedling height 7-8cm (with substrate at the base), 4-5 leaves, free of pests and diseases, no dead or yellow leaves.

Potting up:

For reused old pots, they must be soaked in a 1000x dilution of potassium permanganate for more than half an hour, then rinsed with clean water and left to dry before use. New pots can be used directly. Generally, start with smaller pots (9cm plastic pots) for planting. When planting, first place an appropriate amount of substrate at the bottom of the pot, then transplant the screened seedlings into the pot. Small seedlings can be planted slightly deeper, with the base of the plant level with or slightly above the substrate surface, 1-2 plants per pot. Keep the substrate moderately firm, fill to 9/10 of the pot, gently shake the pot to settle the soil, and water with half-soak or just surface water to settle the roots.

What to Do When Calathea makoyana Leaves Turn Yellow - How to Grow Calathea makoyana

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                ❤`•.¸¸.•´´¯`•Soft furnishing plants. This article is sourced from [Decoration Information]

Placing a Calathea makoyana in the home not only has a great decorative effect but also helps remove formaldehyde. Its formaldehyde-removal effect is half that of spider plants. However, it is much higher than most ordinary plants. Besides these functions, it is also excellent at removing ammonia pollution from the air. In this issue, we mainly want to tell you what to do when Calathea makoyana leaves turn yellow, and what the growing methods for Calathea makoyana are, to help everyone better grow Calathea makoyana plants.

  [Growing Methods for Calathea makoyana]


  First: Growing environmentCalathea makoyana prefers a hot and humid environment and has strong shade tolerance. It grows well under indoor diffused light and is best cultivated in loose, fertile, well-draining soil.


  Second: Growing temperature and humidity. ① Temperature.The optimal growing temperature for Calathea makoyana is around 22°C. When the summer temperature is above 35°C, not only does plant growth stall, but the leaf color also turns yellow and loses its ornamental value. However, in winter, be sure to protect against cold and keep warm, and the room temperature should be kept above 13°C.
② Humidity.The suitable air humidity for Calathea makoyana is 70%-75%. When new leaves are emerging, the humidity requirement is even higher. Water thoroughly during this period to keep the soil moist. In winter, watering should be controlled, and the potting soil only needs to be slightly moist.


  Third: Pot selection and fertilizing. ① Pot selection.Calathea makoyana is a shallow-rooted plant. For the growing container, it is best to choose a wide-mouthed shallow pot to facilitate root extension and spreading. Generally, repot in late spring to early summer when dividing for propagation, repotting once every 2 years.
  ② Fertilizing.During the peak growing season, Calathea makoyana should be given a dilute liquid fertilizer once every half month. When fertilizing, be careful not to apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, as this may cause the leaf markings to fade.


  Fourth: Propagation.Calathea makoyana is mostly propagated by division, carried out in spring from April to May in conjunction with repotting and soil changing. Dividing too early when temperatures are too low slows wound healing, easily causing rot and reducing the survival rate.


  [What to Do When Calathea makoyana Leaves Turn Yellow]

  Below are several situations in which yellow leaves appear on Calathea makoyana. Yellow leaves occur in these situations.
  1. Water-induced yellowing:Young leaves turn dull yellow and lack luster, old leaves show no obvious change, stems are thin and yellow-green, and new shoots shrivel and stop growing, indicating overwatering. Remove the plant from the pot, place it in a ventilated, cool area to let the root ball dry naturally, then put it back in the pot.
  2. Drought-induced yellowing:Yellowing from lack of water is different from yellowing from too much water. Yellowing from water shortage shows leaf tips or edges becoming withered and dry, with old leaves turning yellow and dropping from the bottom up, but new leaf growth remains relatively normal. Just be careful to water thoroughly and sufficiently.
  3. Sunburn-induced yellowing:Strong direct sunlight hitting some shade-loving plants (such as spider plants, Calathea makoyana, hostas, etc.) easily causes leaf tips and edges to wither, with yellow spots appearing on the sun-facing parts of the leaves. Simply move them to a shaded area.
  4. Fertilizer-induced yellowing:Yellowing caused by too much fertilizer or too high a concentration shows as dry brown tips on new leaves, with leaves generally thick and lusterless, uneven and not smooth, and old leaves scorched yellow and dropping. Fertilizing should be stopped immediately; in severe cases, use a large amount of water to flush out some of the fertilizer.

Conclusion:The above is a detailed introduction to the growing methods for Calathea makoyana and what to do when leaves turn yellow. Calathea makoyana is highly decorative and can also remove formaldehyde. So it is a must-have green plant for the home. If you want to learn about more home decorative plants, please continue to follow our Aiyouwo Decoration Information.

Growing Methods for Calathea makoyana - Growing Habits of Calathea makoyana

Calathea makoyana is also known as blue-flower banana, five-color arrowroot, etc. It is a perennial evergreen herb in the family Marantaceae, genus Calathea, native to Brazil. Its leaves are thinly leathery, ovate-elliptic, with feather-like markings of dark green alternating with white or pale yellow on the leaf surface, just like the pattern on peacock tail feathers, graceful and uniquely charming. Now let us take a look at the growing methods for Calathea makoyana!

Growing Habits of Calathea makoyana

Calathea makoyana prefers partial shade and cannot tolerate direct sunlight. It adapts to growing in warm, humid environments. When cultivating, it should be given a certain degree of shade, and the temperature should be kept at around 12-29°C. In winter, the temperature should be maintained at 16-18°C. It grows vigorously in spring and summer and needs relatively high air humidity, so misting can be done. It is not very demanding regarding soil, but it needs to be kept moderately moist. During the growing season, fertilize about once every 2 weeks, while in winter the soil can be slightly drier and cooler, and fertilizing frequency should be reduced.

Propagation Methods for Calathea makoyana

1. Division: Divide in early summer each year when the daily temperature is around 20°C. Dig up the densely grown old clumps and divide them along the underground rhizomes, keeping 2-3 buds per section. After dividing, pot them up immediately, place them in a cool place for a week, then gradually move them to a spot with sufficient light. After dividing, water should be controlled in the early stages of planting, and only after new roots develop should they be watered thoroughly.

2. Cuttings: Cuttings are usually taken in summer by selecting young shoots with 2 to 3 leaves at the base as cuttings, or by using the creeping stems of some varieties for cuttings. A mix of half peat soil and half river sand, or vermiculite and perlite, can be used as the substrate. Keep it moist, and roots will form in about 5 weeks, after which they can be potted up separately.

Growing Methods for Calathea makoyana

1. Soil: For potted Calathea makoyana, use a loose, fertile, well-draining, humus-rich, slightly acidic loam. Generally, mix 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part peat or sawdust, and 1 part sand, and add a small amount of soybean cake as base fertilizer. Avoid using heavy clay garden soil. When potting, first place a 3cm layer of coarse sand at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to facilitate drainage.

2. Water: During the growing period, Calathea makoyana should be given sufficient water. Especially in summer and autumn, besides keeping the potting soil moist at all times, it is also necessary to frequently spray water on the leaves to cool and moisturize. It requires relatively high air humidity, preferably reaching 70%-80%. Avoid dry air and dry potting soil, but do not allow waterlogging. After late autumn, water should be controlled to help it resist cold and survive the winter.

3. Sunlight: During the growing season from May to September, Calathea makoyana should be placed in a shaded or partially shaded area, maintaining 40-60% light transmission, avoiding direct blazing sun. Too strong light or dry air can easily cause leaf edges and tips to scorch, and leaf markings to become dull and lusterless. However, too weak light will cause weak growth and loss of the unique metallic luster of the leaves. In winter, it can receive direct sunlight through glass.

4. Fertilizer: When Calathea makoyana lacks fertilizer, the plant is noticeably shorter, the leaf color is dull, and the golden luster is not vivid. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 2:1:1, which can make the leaf color glossy and vivid. Never use too high a proportion of nitrogen fertilizer. If a 0.2% liquid fertilizer is sprayed directly on the leaves every 10 days, it is extremely beneficial for sprouting and growth. Stop fertilizing in winter and summer.

5. Pests and diseases: Calathea makoyana has few pests and diseases, but under dry air and poor ventilation conditions, it is prone to scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000x dilution of 25% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate or a 1500x dilution of 40% omethoate.

6. Repotting: Calathea makoyana is generally repotted in spring when dividing, once every 1-2 years. When repotting, new potting soil must be added, and residual roots and dead leaves should be trimmed off. Replant to promote growth.