Calathea louisae Maui Queen - Peacock plant

Calathea 'Maui Queen' stands out with its upright and fairly narrow habit, vigorous growth, and a preference for brighter light than most other calatheas, commonly known as peacock plants. Its slender, dark green foliage with wavy edges features a lovely cream-white pattern at its centre. The purple undersides of the leaves are noticeable thanks to the plant's lofty habit. Place it fairly close to a window, with plenty of light but no direct sunlight.

Belonging to the Marantaceae family, Calathea 'Maui Queen' is derived from the species Calathea louisae, which has the botanical synonym Goeppertia louisae. This species is native to the humid forests of Brazil, where it thrives under the dense canopy. The 'Maui Queen' variety is a rather imposing cultivar, reaching up to 90 cm in height and 60 cm in width. Its elongated, wavy leaves have a dark green upper surface marked with white in the middle, while the underside is purple. Like other calatheas, its leaves fold up at night, a phenomenon known as nyctinasty. The plant prefers fairly bright light, whereas other calatheas thrive in moderate light conditions. It can tolerate these conditions too, but its growth will be slower. It enjoys an ambient humidity between 60 and 80% and temperatures between 18 and 26°C.

Calathea 'Maui Queen' can be placed directly on the floor, on a pedestal, or on a low piece of furniture. In a stylish planter, it adds a splash of colour and exotic flair to the living room, bedroom, or office, as long as the ambient humidity is sufficient. Pair it with plants that have similar needs, like other Calatheas and foliage plants, such as philodendrons or Monsteras. In moderate light, it can join other Marantaceae like Marantas or Stromanthes.