Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to add some greenery to my place, and I heard about this plant called Calathea makoyana, also known as the Peacock Plant. It’s got these really cool leaves that look like they’ve been hand-painted. Figured I’d give it a shot, even though I’m not exactly known for my green thumb.
First thing I did was find a decent-looking pot. Nothing fancy, just something that wouldn’t clash with my furniture. I then made sure it had drainage holes at the bottom, to prevent the soil from getting too soggy. I read online that these plants don’t like sitting in water.
Next up, the soil. Apparently, regular potting mix wasn’t gonna cut it. I ended up getting a mix specifically made for these kinds of plants – it had peat moss, perlite, and some other stuff that I can’t pronounce. The idea is to keep the soil moist but not wet, like a wrung-out sponge.
Then came the actual planting. I gently took the Calathea out of its nursery pot, loosened the roots a bit, and placed it in the new pot. I filled in the gaps with the soil mix, making sure not to pack it down too tightly. Gave it a good watering until I saw water coming out of the drainage holes. That’s it the first part was done.
Now, the tricky part – keeping it alive. These plants are drama queens when it comes to humidity. They like it high, like a jungle. So, I got myself a little humidifier and placed it near the plant. I also started misting the leaves a couple of times a week. Not sure if it’s helping, but it makes me feel like I’m doing something. Also, to keep the humidity higher, I put the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Light is another thing. They don’t like direct sunlight, which is fine by me since my apartment doesn’t get much of that anyway. I put it in a spot that gets bright, indirect light. Seems to be doing okay so far.
I’ve been watering it whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. I just stick my finger in to check. I also started using filtered water because I heard they’re sensitive to the stuff in tap water. Can’t confirm if that’s true, but better safe than sorry, right?
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Use filtered water.
- Keep humidity high with a humidifier or misting.
- Bright, indirect light is best.
Honestly, it’s been a bit of a learning curve. I’ve had a few yellowing leaves, which I think was from overwatering at the beginning. But I’ve adjusted my watering schedule, and it seems to be doing better now. It’s actually put out a few new leaves, which is a good sign, I guess. And, the leaves fold up at night and unfold in the morning. I set a time-lapse on my phone and watched it, pretty cool!
Conclusion:
I won’t say it’s been easy, but it’s definitely been rewarding. Seeing my Calathea makoyana thrive (or at least survive) makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. Plus, it does look pretty darn cool in my living room. And I am gonna keep my eye on it, to see if there is anything I need to improve. If you’re thinking about getting one, I’d say go for it, but be prepared to put in a little effort. These plants need your love, for real!
