Calathea insignis

The Rattlesnake Plant (syn. C. lancifolia)

This is an evergreen plant grown for the foliage, and Calathea insignis does have brilliant foliage. With both colour and texture, the foliage stands upright, a mid green with darker green markings. To add to the impact, the reverse of the foliage is a ruby red.

This Calathea species is really a tropical plant, and it grows well outdoors in sub tropical to tropical climates. It is also widely used as an indoor plant and it will grow well in these conditions.

Commonly called the ‘Rattlesnake Plant’, this is a shade loving plant and works well planted beneath tall plants. It will spread to form a clump and is easily propagated by division.

Care

Best grown in light shade, in a humus rich soil, moist yet well drained.

1. Choose a position in dappled shade. Dappled shade is essential to prevent the foliage from burning.
2. Prepare the soil by digging in well rotted compost and aged manure.
3. Plant at the same depth it was in the container.
4. Water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
5. Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run.
6. Watering – Regular watering is required, the soil should always be moist but never wet and soggy. Always test for moisture before watering using your finger, the soil should never feel wet when you poke your finger down into it, just moist. In winter cut back on watering a little. Always use room temperature water not cold water from the tap.
7. Fertilise using a good organic type fertiliser in spring.
8. Top up the mulch each year.

Growing Calathea insignis Indoors

If you are growing this species indoors try the following conditions/

• Temperature range – Try for a minimum of 15C and up to 25C.
• Position – Bright filtered light in a position away from both cold drafts and air conditioning / heating ducts.
• Watering – Water regularly in the warmer months, let the soil dry a little between waterings. A little less winter in colder months, even indoors.
• Growing medium – Use a good quality free draining potting soil.
• Fertiliser – Use a slow release fertiliser in spring.
• Humidity – This is plant that requires a humid environment. Try mist spraying, or sit the pot on top of pebbles in a saucer of water. Do not sit the pot in water.

Problems.

• Leaf Curl – Usually from under or over watering. sometimes due to lack of humidity.
• Yellow leaves – Either from over watering or as part of the ageing process.
• Brown leaf margins – Usually from lack of humidity.
• Wilt – Overwatering in winter can cause the plant to wilt.

Calathea insignis is available for sale from the following nurseries

DIACO'S GARDEN NURSERY
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au