Customize Your Pot
Please Note: Size & position of custom text may vary slightly. Please allow an additional 1-2 days for processing your order.
The Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia) is one you'll kick up your boots over! Calathea Rattlesnake boasts striking and distinctive markings of limelight green with darker brush strokes seemingly painted onto the leaf. Once evening comes and dusk is near, the leaves stand straight up to reveal the hidden burgundy leaf underside. It's like having two plants in one!Â
Rattlesnake Plant Care Guide & Presentation
This plant enjoys bright to medium indirect light.
Keep the soil slightly moist and water when the soil reaches a #5 on the moisture meter. Use filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough to discharge out of the drainage holes. Once the water is fully drained, replace it into the cache or decorative pot. Don't let the roots sit in standing water. During winter months, water less frequently but keep it humid around the plant.
Add up to 60% humidity by adding a pebble tray filled with water, grouping with other plants or using a humidifier.
Avoid any sudden temperature changes. Keep humidity high in warmer temperatures.
Outside: Grow in morning light, partial shade (4-6 hours) where nights are above 45°F. Indoors: The Rattlesnake Plant prefers bright to medium, indirect light for at least six hours in a southern, eastern and western windows.
Fertilize monthly during its growing period. Use a high nitrogen liquid fertilizer at half strength to increase foliage health. Reduce during the fall and winter months while the plant is in its dormant phase. Flush the soil periodically to eliminate salts from fertilizing.
When receiving the plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months. Repot in the spring, using a 2" wider pot. (Too large of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.) Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage or an african violet potting mix. Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling. Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over. Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil. Enclose the new plantings in plastic bags, mist and keep them in medium light. Remove the plastic bag when the roots are established. You may observe some leaf changes as it acclimates to its new environment. It may suffer some transplant shock depending on how tight the roots were intertwined together. Trim off any declining leaves as it regains its energy and gets rooted into the soil over time.
Trim off any dead or damaged stems to keep energy moving to the healthy leaves. Shower the leaves using a watering can with filtered or rainwater to remove dust. Remove any debris on the soil and replenish soil if needed.
Indoors: Propagate and divide Zebra plants in the early spring when emerging from dormancy. Pull from the container and brush or wash away the soil carefully. Carefully divide and repot in African violet mix. Use a container that has drainage and is deep enough for the roots to grow. Set it in medium to bright, indirect sunlight while they are rooting. Enclose the new plantings in clear plastic bags, mist and keep them in medium light. Remove the plastic bag when the roots are established. You may observe some leaf changes as it acclimates to its new environment. It may suffer some transplant shock depending on how tight the roots were intertwined together. Trim off any declining leaves as it regains its energy and gets rooted into the soil over time. Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish. After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to establish. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are anchoring well. You can remove the clear plastic bag at this time but still maintain high humidity around the plant. Outdoors: Carefully loosen the soil and dig the roots up and separate the plant in new locations in your garden. Add rich, damp, and loamy soil in a part-shade morning sun location. Water with filtered or rain water at soil level.
You might also like...
Rattlesnake Calathea: Overview
The Rattlesnake Calathea, also known as Calathea Iancifolia or Goeppertia insignis, is a striking prayer plant known for its long, lance-shaped leaves with dark green spots that resemble a rattlesnake’s skin. This houseplant belongs to the Marantaceae family and originates from the tropical regions of Brazil. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet, making it suitable for indoor environments.
Rattlesnake Calathea thrives in low to medium light conditions and prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil, making it a relatively easy-care plant. In Feng Shui, this tropical beauty symbolizes a new beginning and positive changes. Additionally, Calathea is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with animals. Other popular Calathea varieties include the Calathea Cathedral Windows and the popular Peacock Plant, which are also part of the prayer plant family and share similar care requirements.
Calathea Rattlesnake Plant: Benefits
- It has strong air-purifying properties. Hence it improves indoor air quality.
- It is safe for pets, making it an excellent choice for households with animals.
- Symbolizes new beginnings and positive changes in Feng Shui.
- Its unique foliage offers high aesthetic value, enhancing any indoor space.
Calathea Rattlesnake: Care Guide
The Calathea Rattlesnake is relatively easy to care for, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. Follow these guidelines to keep your plant thriving.
Watering and Light
Calathea Lancifolia prefers consistently moist soil but should never be waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Use filtered or distilled water to avoid leaf spotting. Place your plant in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so a spot with filtered light or partial shade is ideal.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant thrives between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and doesn’t tolerate cold drafts. High humidity is essential for the Calathea Rattlesnake. Maintain humidity levels above 50% by using a humidifier, placing a tray of water near the plant, or misting the leaves regularly.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix for your Calathea Lancifolia Rattlesnake. Repotting should be done every 1-2 years during the spring to refresh the soil and provide more room for growth. Ensure the new pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Feed monthly during the plant’s growing period.
Maintenance, Propagation, and Pruning
To keep the plant healthy, regularly remove any yellow or damaged leaves. Rattlesnake Calathea propagation is best done by division during repotting. Gently separate the plant into smaller sections, each with roots attached, and plant them in fresh soil. Pruning is minimal but can involve trimming any leggy growth to maintain a bushy appearance.
Common Issues
Watch for common issues, such as brown leaf edges, which often indicate low humidity or fluoride in tap water. Pests like spider mites and aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure proper watering to avoid root rot, and adjust light exposure to prevent leaf burn or fading.
Calathea Rattlesnake Plant: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The Goeppertia Insignis is a versatile plant that enhances various indoor spaces and makes an excellent addition to plant collections.
Best Locations & Uses
- Its air-purifying properties make it an excellent choice for improving air quality and adding a touch of nature to your bedroom.
- Its unique foliage and rarity make it a perfect gift for plant enthusiasts.
- As a non-toxic plant, it’s safe for homes with cats and dogs.
- This plant thrives in humid environments, making it suitable for bathrooms.
- It can be an attractive addition to porches in mild climate locations, provided it’s shielded from direct sunlight.
Companion Plants
The following companion plants can enhance the beauty and harmony of your indoor garden by complementing the Calathea Rattlesnake’s stunning foliage.
- Calathea Freddie (Calathea concinna): Calathea Freddie shares similar care requirements and complements the Rattlesnake Calathea with its beautifully patterned leaves.
- Japanese Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus): The lush, wavy fronds of the Bird’s Nest Fern pair well with the Calathea, adding a variety of textures to your plant collection.
- Maranta Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana): The similarly looking Maranta Red Prayer Plant with red veining on its variegated foliage is the ideal companion, requiring similar light and water conditions.
Alternative Plants
Consider these alternative options if you’re looking for similar plants with unique features and pet-friendly qualities.
- Neanthe Bella Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): Also known as the Parlor Palm, this indoor palm is a pet-friendly plant that thrives in similar medium-light and high-humidity conditions.
- Ponytail Palm Tree (Beaucarnea recurvata): The Ponytail Palm Tree is a drought-tolerant plant that adds an interesting architectural element to your space and is pet-friendly.
- Bromeliad Neoregelia (Neoregelia spp.): Offering vibrant colors and a unique shape, Bromeliad Neoregelia is pet-safe and thrives in similar humidity levels.
Get the Rare and Striking Calathea Rattlesnake From LivelyRoot Today
Enhance your indoor space with the rare beauty and air-purifying benefits of the Calathea Rattlesnake, available at Lively Root! Buy now to add a touch of tropical elegance to your home or office!