Why are my leaves curling?

The plant is likely telling you it needs more humidity or is thirsty.

It is better to use filtered or distilled water as this plant is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride.

Plant guide

Peacock plant.

Goeppertia makoyana

Pronounced go-ep-ER-tee-uh mak-oy-AH-nuh

Also known as brainplant, cathedral-windows, peacockplant

The peacock plant is a stunning tropical beauty known for its intricate, patterned foliage that looks like painted art. It is a member of the prayer plant family, meaning its leaves fold up at night. You will love how its vibrant colors add life to any dim corner of your home.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright, indirect light is best for keeping those patterns bright.
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely in home environments, but occasionally in late spring.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. High humidity is essential, so consider using a pebble tray or a humidifier nearby. Watch for brown, crispy leaf edges which often signal that the air is too dry.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim off any yellow or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound, usually every couple of years.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based potting 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 good care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: This plant is non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Children: The leaves are safe for children to touch, though they should not be eaten.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Oval leaves with dark green blotches
Underside of leaves features deep purple
Feathered patterns radiating from midrib
Leaves fold upward during the night

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, silver, purple, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that thrive in dry air and cause stippling on leaves.
Leaf spot · Fungal or bacterial spots caused by overhead watering or poor air circulation.
Brown leaf edges · Usually a sign of low humidity or mineral buildup from tap water.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your peacock plant from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Maintain consistent humidity levels throughout the winter months.
In containers: It is an excellent container plant that prefers a pot with good drainage and a size that is not too large for its root system.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Carefully separate the root ball into smaller sections with at least one healthy leaf.
Repot the divisions into fresh, well-draining soil.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps them all happy.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns thrive in the same moist, shaded conditions as the peacock plant.

Similar species

Rattlesnake Plant · It shares the same genus and similar care requirements.
Calathea · It offers a similar aesthetic with large, patterned foliage.

Science

Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Goeppertia
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Brazil.
Conservation: This species is native to Brazil and is not currently listed as endangered.

It grows in the humid, shaded understory of tropical rainforests.

Uses: houseplant, foliage display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves curling?: The plant is likely telling you it needs more humidity or is thirsty.
Can I use tap water?: It is better to use filtered or distilled water as this plant is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors the German botanist Heinrich Goeppert, while the species name makoyana honors the Belgian nurseryman Jacob Makoy.

Good to know

It is also known as the peacock plant due to the striking patterns on its foliage.
The undersides of the leaves are a deep, beautiful purple.
It thrives in the dappled light of the forest floor.

Also in

Low-light houseplants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.