The Calathea Rattlesnake (or Goeppertia insignis) is easily one of the most striking plants.
It’s famous for those long, wavy leaves that look like they’ve been hand-painted with dark green brushstrokes. But the real "party trick" is the underside; they’re a deep, velvety purple. Like many prayer plants, it’ll actually fold its leaves up at night as if it’s heading off to sleep, then open them wide to greet the morning sun.
The Essentials
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Origin: These beauties hail from the warm, dappled shade of the Brazilian rainforest floor.
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Light: They prefer bright, indirect light. Think of a spot near a north or east-facing window. Avoid direct midday sun at all costs, as it’ll scorched those lovely patterns right off the leaves.
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Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. They’re a bit fussy about tap water, so if you can use filtered water or collected rainwater, they’ll love you for it.
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Humidity: This is the big one! Being from the tropics, they crave humidity. Keep them in a bathroom, use a pebble tray, or give them a regular misting to prevent "crispy" brown edges.
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Temperature: They like to stay cosy. Keep them in a warm room, and do make sure they aren't sitting in a cold draught or right next to a blistering radiator.
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Toxicity: Brilliant news for pet owners—the Rattlesnake plant is completely non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. It’s a very safe choice for a busy household.
Sold without decorative pot, colour and size may vary slightly.
Local plant delivery or collection available in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.
