How Much Light Does a Peacock Plant Need?

Got a new peacock plant? Well, if you are wondering how to properly care for your plant, we have a simple guide here that should answer all your questions.

Table of Contents

How Much Light Does a Peacock Plant Need?

Native to Brazil’s tropical regions, peacock plants flourish in the ground cover as there is little direct sunlight on the ground. They need less light than other houseplants do as a result.

Therefore, Peacock Plants thrive in indirect light that is moderate to brilliant. The plant is now among the few tropical plants which can tolerate low light conditions. They should never be in bright sun since it might dull or burn the foliage.

The leaves might bleach or begin to develop crispy brown ends, which will let you know if it is receiving too much sunlight. If the peacock plant receives little sunlight, its development will be stunted and begin to have wide gaps between its leaves. Provide a minimum of eight hours of bright light each day, ideally with southern or dual exposure.

Can Peacock Plants Be Kept Outdoors?

Peacock plants like humid and warm environments. They thrive in zones 10A to 11 outdoors. Place them away from the sun, which may cause their leaves to scorch to a crisp.

If you reside someplace colder, the plants may spend the summer outside (in the shade out of any direct sunlight) until the nighttime lows reach 55 degrees!

Are Peacock Plants Toxic?

Peacock plants don’t poison pets and people. Nevertheless, keeping it away from curious children and ravenous cats is still advisable.

Trust us; you do not want to do all the work to take care of your plant daily, only for your cat to devour it.

Do Peacock Plants Have Flowers?

Peacock plants bloom, but it isn’t too regular or isn’t overtly ornamental either. Small white flowers may sometimes poke through the light green bracks on some peacock plants during the year, but they are inconsequential.

Do Peacock Plants Prefer Humid Conditions?

In particular, peacock plants will flourish in houses with a humidity level of over 60%. If they have enough sunshine, they thrive in toilets. They are reminded of the rainforest background by the warm, humid air.

Among the most crucial factors to pay attention to for the Peacock plant’s development is humidity. Low humidity is indicated by the plant’s beginning of brown leaf tips or edges.

We believe it is crucial to check humidity levels using calatheas to avoid any problems. If you use a digital hygrometer, you can immediately adjust humidity levels if you see them lower.

There are several ways to raise humidity. Although spraying indoor plants is often suggested, it is not the greatest technique to increase humidity consistently. Put your plants in a collection, place them in a tray with stones and water, or invest in an electric humidifier.

What Temperature is Best for a Peacock Plant?

Tropical houseplants flourish inside as they require a temperature range similar to that of people. Prevent any abrupt temperature decreases and maintain the peacock plants in a room with temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (16°C and 24°C) for optimum growth.

Avoid keeping your plant near drafts caused by leaking windows, opening and shutting doors, or register vents that blow warm air during the winter and cold air during the summer.

As long as nocturnal lows don’t go below 55°F (13°C) or you move the plants inside at night, plants in colder growth zones may be moved outdoors during the warmer spring or summer months. To protect them from direct sunlight, put them in a shady area, behind a tree canopy, or other plants.

How Often Should a Calathea Peacock Be Watered?

For peacock plants, it’s crucial to get the correct watering balance. It may indicate under-watering if the leaves are beginning to curl up. Root rot may result from excessive water consumption.

Many enthusiasts use a moisture meter to determine when the plant requires watering since these plants like steady and uniform amounts of moisture.

Even though these plants still require watering in the winter, the regularity should be significantly decreased since they enjoy rest time.

In general, receiving water out of the tap is better than filtered water or some water collected from rainfall. Fluoride may cause the leaf ends of peacock plants to become brown since they are susceptible to it.

Additionally, the water must be lukewarm or at room temperature. If it is too chilly, the plant can be shocked.

Should I Mist My Peacock Plant?

Peacock plants require extremely high humidity levels. To get that steamy sensation, you may either use a humidifier, place them on a pebble tray, or spray them often.

Avoid misting your plants with tap water since the fluoride in tap water might damage the foliage by causing brown blotches.

These plants may be kept in bathrooms as well! If they have adequate light, the hot shower offers them tremendous humidity.

Surround it with other plants that like humidity (they thrive on each other’s humidity!) or set up a pebble tray to promote moisture are additional strategies to get a minimum of 60% humidity.

What Kind of Soil Will My Peacock Plant Need?

Peacock plants want a growth medium that retains some moisture, rapidly drains extra water, and gives the roots sufficient aeration. Most “all-purpose” standard potting soils are appropriate since they were created with those requirements.

Avoid buying potting soils designed expressly for a certain kind of plant, including acid-loving or succulent plants, since they have been created to address somewhat different requirements.

A “soilless” mixture of pine bark, coconut coir, peat moss, and either vermiculite or perlite makes up commercial potting soil. Sphagnum peat moss or plain coconut coir shouldn’t be used in the containers since they hold too much water.

You may add more perlite or sand to the potting soil you buy to increase its drainage rate. Simply combine all the ingredients well in a bigger bucket, and then fill the container with the mixture to pot up the plant.

What Fertilizer Is Required for My Peacock Plant?

When the plant is actively developing, from spring through early autumn, fertilize it every two to four weeks. Wintertime growth is quite sluggish. Thus fertilization is not necessary during this time.

Do not over-fertilize peacock plants; instead, stick to a side of caution. Use a liquid or water-soluble fertilizer and dilute to less or half of the prescribed concentration.

Generally, it would help if you utilized a fertilizer formulation with a higher nitrogen content and an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. In actual use, using a balanced fertilizer with equal parts phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium will offer outstanding success.

Can My Peacock Plant Be Propagated?

Typically, peacock plants are multiplied through division. However, it may be challenging, so waiting until the plant grows into a sizable cluster is better.

While they develop, the divisions repotted must be maintained warm, wet, and humid. If you are worried that the atmosphere may be too dry, you might cover it with polythene sheeting.

Which Typical Pests are Harmful to Peacock Plants?

Peacock plants don’t often have any significant disease issues. Red spider mites, however, may become a problem if the atmosphere is too dry. Making sure the plants are maintained in damp environments away from the sun might be beneficial.

What Peacock Plant Issues Do You Need to Know About?

Staying in a home that is unnaturally heated in the northern hemisphere might cause some teething issues while tending to a peacock plant, as it does with other indoor plants that are native to warmer climates. These techniques for troubleshooting will assist:

Dry air might result in leaves with brown tips and margins. By placing the plant on a tray of gravel, wet pebbles, or clay pellets, you may increase the humidity surrounding it. As a substitute, try showering the plant with water daily or relocate the peacock plant to a warmer and more humid location, like the bathroom or kitchen.
Sunburned leaves are likely to have brown areas on them. Get the plant out of the sun, which might burn the leaves.
If the plant’s leaves aren’t colored, it may be because it’s getting too much light; move it to a shadier location.

When Can I Prune My Peacock Plant?

While it is admirable to enjoy every leaf, sometimes a peacock plant’s unusual leaf may be yellow or have brown edges. If this occurs, it would be advisable to discard and remove the leaf. Simply cut off at the plant’s stem’s base.

Now you know how much light a peacock plant needs and plenty of other care tips!