Why are my leaves curling?

This is usually a sign that the plant needs more humidity or is thirsty.

Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to keep its colors vibrant.

Plant guide

Rattlesnake plant.

Calathea lancifolia

Pronounced go-ep-ER-tee-uh in-SIG-nis

Also known as Calathea lancifolia

The rattlesnake plant is a stunning tropical beauty known for its wavy, patterned foliage. It brings a touch of the jungle to your home with its unique leaf markings. You will love how it folds its leaves up at night.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely in home conditions

Care

Keep this plant in a spot with high humidity to prevent crispy leaf edges. Use distilled or filtered water to avoid brown tips from minerals. If the leaves start to curl, it is likely telling you it needs more water or higher humidity.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the stem to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to crowd the current container.
Soil: Well draining peat based mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: This plant is non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is safe for children, though the leaves can be fragile if handled roughly.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Wavy leaf edges
Dark green spots on light green leaves
Deep purple undersides
Lance shaped foliage

Height: 0.45 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, burgundy, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Maintain consistent warmth and increase humidity if indoor air becomes dry.
In containers: It thrives in containers and prefers a pot with good drainage, ideally at least 15 cm wide.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot during the spring.
Carefully separate the root ball into two or more sections.
Repot each section into fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Keep the soil consistently moist until new growth appears.

Group plants with similar moisture needs together to create a humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns create a microclimate that helps maintain the humidity this plant craves.

Similar species

Rattlesnake Plant · It shares the same genus and similar care needs.

Science

Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Goeppertia
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Brazil
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered.

It grows on the shaded forest floor where it relies on high humidity and filtered light.

Uses: houseplant, foliage display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves curling?: This is usually a sign that the plant needs more humidity or is thirsty.
Does it need direct sun?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to keep its colors vibrant.

Where the name comes from

Goeppertia honors the German botanist Heinrich Goeppert, while insignis refers to the plant's remarkable or distinguished appearance.

Good to know

It was formerly classified as Calathea lancifolia.
The underside of the leaves is a striking deep purple.
It prefers distilled or rainwater to avoid leaf tip burn.

Also in

Low-light houseplants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.