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Goeppertia insignis

Previously known as:

  • Calathea insignis
  • Calathea lancifolia
  • Goeppertia lancifolia
  • Maranta insignis
Phonetic Spelling
GO-per-sha in-SIG-nis
Description

The rattlesnake plant is a herbaceous perennial evergreen, native to Southeastern Brazilian rainforests, with striking foliage and showy yellow flowers. Because it is a tropical plant and not frost hardy, it is typically grown as an indoor houseplant in most North American sites. The leaves, in particular, provide winter interest with wavy margins, purple undersides, and an alternating pattern of small and large green ellipses. The plant form is fountain-like with a spreading habit. It is a member of the prayer plant family (Marantaceae). The specific epithet, insignis, is Latin and means "remarkable" or "distinguished by a mark" and references the rattlesnake markings on the plants leaves.

For best results growing indoors, provide a uniformly moist environment in a well-drained, peaty potting mixture at room temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in limited sun to bright shade locations. The rattlesnake plant does not tolerate full sun, drafts, or sudden temperature changes. It will tolerate early morning sun or diffused sun. To provide the required high humidity consider standing a potted plant in a bed of wet pebbles, misting the foliage regularly or growing the plant in a humidified room. During the growing season (spring and summer), water regularly to keep soils moist (but not wet) and apply a balanced fertilizer monthly. Reduce watering and fertilization in winter when plant growth typically slows down. When dust collects on the leaves, photosynthesis slows down. Removed the dust by cleaning the leaves with a clean cloth.

This plant  typically grows to 1 1/2 feet tall indoors, but can reach up to 2 1/2 feet tall outdoors. The leaves are long, slender with wavy margins, and they can measure up to 18 inches long. The leaf blades are light green with dark green to black spots on either side of the midrib. The markings on each leaf resemble the markings found on some rattlesnakes; hence, the common name for this plant. The undersides of the leaves are purple. In the evening, the leaves fold in half and reopen at sunrise. On plants grown outdoors, small, light green to yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer in 2 to 4 inch long conical spikes. Flowers rarely appear on indoor plants

The rattlesnake plant can be difficult to care for properly because of its humidity requirements, but when grown indoors it is typically used as an accent plant, as a specimen in indoor settings, or in large terrariums or greenhouses because of its attractive leaves.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:  Watch for aphids, scale, mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering can result in root rot, and fungal leaf spots can occur from wetting the leaves when watering. Yellowing of the leaves can be a result of underwatering or overwatering. Browning or curling of the leaf edges and tips can result from low humidity.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Fun Star'
    vibrant green leaves with purple markings
  • 'Saint Paul'
    popular choice, green leaves with white brush stroke patterns
  • 'Silver Lance'
    silvery green leaves with dark green stripes
'Fun Star', 'Saint Paul', 'Silver Lance'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#specimen#showy leaves#interiorscape#herbaceous#terrarium#burgundy#herbaceous perennial#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#fantz#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#greenhouse plant#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Fun Star'
    vibrant green leaves with purple markings
  • 'Saint Paul'
    popular choice, green leaves with white brush stroke patterns
  • 'Silver Lance'
    silvery green leaves with dark green stripes
'Fun Star', 'Saint Paul', 'Silver Lance'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#specimen#showy leaves#interiorscape#herbaceous#terrarium#burgundy#herbaceous perennial#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#fantz#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#greenhouse plant#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Goeppertia
    Species:
    insignis
    Family:
    Marantaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil Southeast
    Distribution:
    Introduced as an outdoor plant to Hawaii
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers rarely appear on indoor plants. When grown outdoors, yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer in 2 to 4 inch long conical spikes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal or crowded alternate, simple, oblong-linear to narrowly lanceolate, acute, cuneate, undulate, medium to light green above with alternating large and small, dark green, elliptic blotches along lateral veins, underside purple-maroon; petioles sheathing at base. Up to 18 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Short, erect aerial or rhizomatous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity