Calathea lancifolia (Goeppertia insignis) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems
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Calathea lancifolia (Goeppertia insignis) prospers in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Goeppertia insignis commonly called Rattlesnake Calathea, Calathea Rattlesnake or Rattlesnake Plant is one of the popular Calathea varieties with slender pale-green leaves which are heavily marked above with dark blotches and have purple undersides.
Goeppertia insignis which also goes by the botanical name Goeppertia lancifolia is among the purple-leaved plants and is one of the best plants for the office space where it will add a magnificent splash of color.
Botanical name: Calathea lancifolia
Synonym: Goeppertia insignis, Goeppertia lancifolia
Family: Marantaceae
Common name: Rattlesnake Calathea, Calathea Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake Plant
Origin
Goeppertia insignis is native to the tropical forests in Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro where it grows on the forest floors and it is considered as one of the best tropical foliage plants.
Size
Rattlesnake Calathea grows in clumps to a height of about 2-3 feet. The leaves are about 1-2 feet long.
Is Rattlesnake Calathea toxic?
Calathea lancifolia like other Calathea Plants is non-toxic to both humans and pets according to ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors.
Related Plants
Rattlesnake Calathea is closely related to the Marantas, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe which are collectively called Prayer Plants in reference to their curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night. Goeppertia insignis is one of the most popular plants on account of its ease of care and interesting foliage.
Where to buy
If you would like to add this beautiful Calathea lancifolia to your plant collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Rattlesnake Plant Care Indoors
Goeppertia insignis (Rattlesnake Calathea) flourishes in bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-80% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Calathea lancifolia requires pruning to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Repotting is needed only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Rattlesnake Calathea thoroughly during the growing season until the water comes out through the drainage holes and keep the soil moderately moist. Lessen watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock. The water should also be free of chlorine and flourides as like other Calathea, Goeppertia insignis is sensitive to chemicals dissolved in water which will cause brown leaf tips and edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. To reduce fungal infestations like leaf spot, avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
Rattlesnake Calathea grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves and loss of leaf color.
Where the natural lighting is not adequate, you may grow Goeppertia insignis under grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for an even growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Rattlesnake Calathea prefers average warmth of 15-260C. At temperatures below this range, the plant stops growing while temperatures above this range may cause the plant to die. Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperature which the plant cannot tolerate and may cause it to die.
Rattlesnake Plant requires high humidity of 60% to 80% to thrive. Low humidity causes the plant to develop brown leaf tips and edges. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity for the optimum growth of your plant. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
You may also grow the plant in the bathroom or other moist areas in the home if there is adequate lighting. The plant can also be grown in a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Keep the leaves clean by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests and diseases. Ensure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed Rattlesnake Calathea with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly through out the growing season for a lush growth. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Once in a while, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Rattlesnake Calathea should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are adequate for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Goeppertia insignis every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season when it becomes root-bound. Take care not to injure its delicate roots.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant. Check out these planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Before repotting, water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less repotting shock. If the plant is large and has outgrown its current pot, divide it into several sections and use the splits to propagate new plants. Repotting may cause the leaves to droop but the plant will eventually recover once it takes root; in about 3-4 weeks.
Pruning
Pruning Rattlesnake Calathea is easy. Remove dead and yellow foliage to maintain the plant neat and minimize pests and diseases infestation. Cut the leaves with a sharp knife or pruning scissors at the base, where the leaf meets the stalk.
Propagation
Rattlesnake Calathea (Goeppertia insignis) is best propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (in spring) during repotting. Dividing the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase.
Read more on how to propagate Calathea Plants in 2 easy ways.
Rattlesnake Plant Problems and Solutions
Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia insignis) growing problems include drooping leaves, plant dying, yellow leaves, loss of leaf color, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Plant dying
Rattlesnake Plant is dying due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.
Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil. Do not water the plant and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering. To prevent root-rot in the future, always make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy. Do not overwater in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but maintain the soil slightly moist.
The second possible reason why the Rattlesnake Calathea is dying is pest infestations as it is prone to aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Read more on these 12 Reasons Why Calathea is Dying and How to Save It.
Drooping leaves
Rattlesnake Plant drooping leaves are due to three possible causes. One possible cause is too dry air (low humidity). To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a terrarium where a high humidity can easily be maintained.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Goeppertia insignis is incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering. Water the Rattlesnake Plant liberally and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season.
Cut down on watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Make sure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water indoor plants correctly.
The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Rattlesnake Calathea is that the plant is root-bound which means that the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant.
Therefore, there is no water for the plant to take up to the leaves. The leaves loss their stiffness and they droop. Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole. Repot the plant into a pot one size larger than the current one or divide it into several sections to propagate new plants.
Check out these 10 Causes of Calathea Drooping Leaves and How to Revive It
Diseases
Rattlesnake Plant is prone to leaf spot disease due to the humid conditions in which it grows. The disease is presents as brown patches surrounded by a yellow halo. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.
Leaves appear washed out
Rattlesnake Calathea washed out leaves are due to exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight as it grows best in medium indirect light. Position the plant in a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct sunlight to prevent its eventual death.
Curled, yellowing leaves
Rattlesnake Plant curled and yellowing leaves are caused by incorrect watering; either overwatering (soggy soil) or underwatering. Overwatering (soggy soil) causes the roots to die due to lack of oxygen in the soil. When the roots die they cannot take up water and therefore the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die.
Underwatering implies that there is too little moisture in the soil and therefore, the plant has no water to take up to the leaves. Thus, the leaves begin to curl, yellow and eventually die if the situation is not corrected.
Water the plant thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage hole and keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges
Brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Rattlesnake Calathea are due to four possible causes. One possible cause is dry air (too little humidity). To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in the bathroom or other moist areas in the home.
The second cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Rattlesnake Plant which is accompanied by stunted growth is infestation by spider mites due to the air being too dry (low humidity). Remove the dead growth and raise humidity for the plant (as outlined above) to discourage the pest infestations.
The third cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Rattlesnake Calathea is watering it with hard water. Water the plant with chlorine-free water only. Like other Calathea, it is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water and it responds with brown leaf tips and edges.
The fourth cause of brown, dry leaf tips and edges in Rattlesnake Plant is accumulation of salts or chemicals in the soil which may have originated from the water used for watering or from the fertilizers used.
Regularly, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Goeppertia insignis syn. Calathea lancifolia?
Goeppertia insignis also goes by the botanical name Calathea lancifolia. It is one of 243 species, which have recently been reassigned to the genus Goeppertia.
Goeppertia are distinguished from Calathea by their rosette-shaped flowers as Calathea have more of a ladder structure for their blooms.
Goeppertia is in honour of a German botanist and paleontologist, Heinrich Göppert (1800–1884).
2. What is interesting about Rattlesnake Plant?
Rattlesnake Plant bears very spectacular foliage which makes it a delight in any plant collection.
3. Is Rattlesnake a Prayer Plant?
Rattlesnake is one of the Prayer Plants. This is a group of plants which exhibit a curious characteristic of closing their leaves at night making them appear like praying hands.
4. How do you take care of Goeppertia insignis?
For optimal growth, provide Goeppertia insignis with bright, indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 15-260C, 50% to 80% humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer.
5. How often do you water Goeppertia?
Water Goeppertia liberally during the growing season when the top 2-3 inch of soil dries out and maintain the soil moderately moist through out. Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
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