Cathedral Windows Goeppertia makoyana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cathedral Windows:
Previously known as:
- Calathea makoyana
- Phonetic Spelling
- GO-per-sha mak-koy-AY-nuh
- Description
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Evergreen indoor herbaceous perennial to 39", erect and spreading. A tropical houseplant that has showy leaves resembling a peacock's tail. It prefers filtered bright light and high humidity. Mist the leaves with filtered or distilled water to avoid damaging them with fluoride or place the pot on a saucer of wet pebbles. Grows best in well-drained potting soil with a high amount of organic matter. It does not go winter dormant like other houseplants but does appreciate a rest in the winter and a cut back on watering. Every two years consider dividing the plants to increase vigor.
Desired for colorful, papery thin, erect leaves that look like peacock feathers; used as specimen or atrium plant in high humidity, indoor settings.
Quick ID Hints:
- Egg-shaped leaf is held erect on long petiole
- Peacock pattern: green spots with cream feathering
- Leaf is papery thin with purple underside
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scale. and spider mites. Low humidity causes leaves to roll or brown.
Intolerant of low humidity, wet soil, dry soil, low or inconstant temperatures, cold drafts, direct sun, low light; prefers well-lit site with high humidity, moist soil and constant average room temperature; no serious disease/pest problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Goeppertia
- Species:
- makoyana
- Family:
- Marantaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil (EspĂrito Santo)
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- Pink
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant and rarely appear on houseplants. White, lobes purple, in pairs; bracts green, spirally arranged.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obtuse
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The large (12" long) leaves are pale green with a dark green feathered effect from the middle of the leaf to the outer edges. When new leaves grow they are rolled up and show off their pinkish-red undersides; giving it another splash of color. Erect, basal or crowded alternate, simple, ovate, obtuse, rotund, entire, papery thin, pale green feathered cream with dark green, rounded, oblong blotches along veins and dark green border above, with a purple repeating pattern beneath, to 12"; petioles long, slender, sheathing at base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Short, erect aerial or rhizomatous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity