🌿 Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia), now botanically known as Goeppertia insignis, is a striking tropical houseplant with beautifully patterned foliage and purple-maroon leaf undersides. In this video, I show you how to keep Rattlesnake Plant healthy and thriving in your indoor garden. Learn about lighting, watering, fertilizing, humidity, repotting, pruning, propagation, pests and more.
What You’ll Learn
- How to provide rattlesnake plant with the right amount of indirect light.
- How to water the plant while avoiding both overly dry and waterlogged soil.
- How to maintain humidity, temperature, and feeding conditions for healthy growth.
- When and how to repot and prune rattlesnake plant.
- How to identify common pests, diseases, and signs of watering or humidity problems.
- How to propagate rattlesnake plant through division.
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Rattlesnake Plant Care: How to Keep Calathea Lancifolia Healthy and Happy
Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where I teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support my show, check out the description box below for the many ways to do that.
Today, we have a plant care video on this beautiful rattlesnake plant, commonly known botanically as Calathea lancifolia, and how to keep this striking plant healthy and happy in your indoor garden.
The plant’s currently accepted botanical name is Goeppertia insignis, but you will still often see it sold and referred to as Calathea lancifolia, since that is the name most people recognize. I’ll also refer to it as calathea in this video.
Rattlesnake plant is a tropical evergreen perennial native to the rainforest of southeastern Brazil. It belongs to the prayer plant family. The long, narrow leaves have wavy edges and a light green background marked with alternating dark green ovals that resemble the patterning on a rattlesnake. Turn over a leaf and you’ll see a dramatic purple-maroon underside, as you can see on this leaf that is turned up right now.
The plant generally reaches around 1½ feet tall indoors and develops an attractive, fountain-like form. The leaves can grow up to 18 inches long.
Although rattlesnake plant can produce yellow-green flowers, flowering is rare indoors, so this beauty is primarily grown for its stunning foliage.
Okay, so now let’s talk about how you can keep this plant healthy and happy in your indoor garden.
Lighting
Rattlesnake plant does best in medium to bright indirect light.
In its native rainforest habitat, it grows beneath taller plants and trees, so it is naturally protected from strong direct sunlight.
Place the plant in front of an eastern window that receives gentle morning sun, near a bright northern window, or 2 to 3 feet away from a southern or western window. It also grows well under full-spectrum lighting.
Avoid intense direct sunlight, which can bleach the foliage, scorch the leaves, and cause the leaf edges to curl. However, if the plant receives too little light, growth can slow or stop, and the distinctive dark markings may begin to fade.
Turn the plant slightly every time you water so that it receives even lighting on all sides.
Also, wipe dust from the leaves with a clean, damp cloth when necessary. Dust blocks light and interferes with photosynthesis. Don’t use commercial leaf-shine products, which can damage the foliage and cause the plant not to be able to breathe.
Watering
Keep your rattlesnake plant soil evenly moist, but never soggy. This plant doesn’t like to dry out completely, but it is also susceptible to root rot when the soil remains overly wet.
Water when the surface to the top inch of soil has dried out, and the pot has become somewhat more lightweight. If you are using a moisture meter, water when the meter reaches four, and definitely before it drops to three.
Water thoroughly until a small amount of water drains from the bottom of the pot, and then empty the drainage tray. Never allow the plant to sit in standing water.
Use warm, distilled, reverse osmosis, filtered, or rainwater for best results. Plants in the calathea group can be sensitive to fluoride and other substances commonly found in tap water, which may contribute to brown leaf tips and edges.
During fall and winter, growth generally slows, so allow the surface of the soil to dry a little more before watering again. Don’t allow the entire root ball to dry out, though.
Yellowing leaves can indicate either overwatering or underwatering, so always check the soil before deciding what the plant needs. Limp, soft stems and consistently wet soil are signs of overwatering and possible root rot.
Curling, drooping leaves and dry brown edges generally indicate that the plant is too dry.
Fertilizing
Fertilize rattlesnake plant monthly during spring and summer with a well-balanced organic fertilizer made for houseplants at half strength.
The plant’s roots can be sensitive to excess fertilizer and salt buildup, so don’t fertilize more often or at a higher strength than recommended. As I just mentioned, half strength is best.
Reduce or stop feeding during fall and winter when the plant’s growth has slowed. If the plant continues actively producing new leaves under full-spectrum lighting, you can feed less frequently during winter rather than stopping completely.
Humidity
Rattlesnake plant requires relatively high humidity to thrive. Aim for at least 50 to 60% humidity around the plant.
If the air becomes too dry, the leaf edges and tips will turn brown and the foliage may begin curling.
Use a humidifier, place the plant on a humidity pebble tray, and group it with other houseplants. Plants humidify one another as they release moisture into the surrounding air.
Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity level in the plant’s growing area.
Rather than relying on frequent misting, concentrate on raising the overall room humidity. Continually wet foliage can encourage fungal leaf spots.
If you do mist, use warm, high-quality water, mist early in the day, and provide good air circulation so that the leaves dry quickly.
Temperature
Rattlesnake plant prefers temperatures between approximately 65 and 75°F.
It can tolerate temperatures around 60°F for short periods, but avoid prolonged exposure to cool conditions.
Keep the plant away from cold drafts, frequently open doors, air-conditioning units, and heating vents. It dislikes sudden temperature fluctuations, as well as dry air blowing across its foliage.
Repotting
Repot rattlesnake plant when roots are growing from the drainage holes, the plant is drying out much faster than usual, or it has surpassed my 2/3–1/3 plant-to-pot ratio rule.
The best time to repot is in spring or early summer. Move the plant up no more than one pot size, and always use a container with drainage holes.
Use a rich, moisture-retentive potting soil that also drains well. A high-quality houseplant potting mix amended with coconut coir or peat moss and perlite or pumice works well.
Plastic, metal, and glazed ceramic containers retain moisture longer than unglazed terracotta, which can be helpful for this moisture-loving plant. Even so, the soil should never remain waterlogged.
Handle the roots carefully when repotting, since rattlesnake plant can experience some temporary stress after its roots are disturbed.
Pruning
Rattlesnake plant requires very little pruning.
Remove yellow, brown, or severely damaged leaves by cutting the leaf stem close to the soil line with clean, sharp pruning shears.
Removing damaged leaves allows the plant to direct its energy toward producing healthy new growth.
Avoid trimming leaves unnecessarily just to reshape the plant because its natural fountain-like form is part of its appeal.
Pests and Diseases
Rattlesnake plant can occasionally attract spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Spider mites are especially common when the surrounding air is too dry.
Check the underside of the leaves regularly for fine webbing, pale speckling, sticky residue, or cottony white material. Treat pests as soon as you notice them so they don’t become established.
The most common disease problem is root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Fungal and bacterial leaf spot can also develop when the foliage remains wet for extended periods.
Brown, curling leaf tips and edges are usually caused by low humidity, allowing the soil to become too dry, or using water containing fluoride or excessive minerals.
Propagation
Rattlesnake plant is propagated by division rather than by stem cuttings.
The best time to divide the plant is in spring when you are already repotting it. Water the plant the day before dividing it. This ensures that the plant is well hydrated and helps reduce transplant stress.
Remove the plant from its pot and gently brush away enough soil to see the natural divisions in the root system.
Carefully separate the plant into sections, making sure each division has several healthy leaves and a good root system attached.
Pot each section in a small container with drainage holes using the same type of rich, well-draining potting soil used for the original plant.
Water the divisions thoroughly and place them in warm, humid conditions with bright indirect light while they become established.
You can loosely cover a small division with a clear humidity dome or plastic bag, making sure the covering doesn’t rest directly against the foliage.
Is This Plant Safe for Pets?
Rattlesnake plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a good choice for homes with pets.
Even so, discourage pets from chewing on the foliage since ingesting a large quantity of any plant material can potentially cause digestive upset.
So there you go: how to keep this striking rattlesnake plant healthy and happy in your indoor garden.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the botanical name of rattlesnake plant?
The currently accepted botanical name is Goeppertia insignis, although it is still commonly sold and referred to as Calathea lancifolia.
What kind of light does rattlesnake plant need?
Rattlesnake plant does best in medium to bright indirect light. It can be placed near an eastern or northern window or 2 to 3 feet away from a southern or western window. It also grows well under full-spectrum lighting.
How often should you water rattlesnake plant?
Water when the top inch of soil has dried out and the pot has become somewhat more lightweight. If using a moisture meter, water when it reaches four, and definitely before it drops to three.
Can rattlesnake plant dry out completely?
No. Rattlesnake plant does not like to dry out completely. During fall and winter, allow the surface of the soil to dry a little more before watering again, but do not allow the entire root ball to dry out.
What type of water is best for rattlesnake plant?
Warm, distilled, reverse osmosis, filtered, or rainwater is recommended for best results. Calathea-group plants can be sensitive to fluoride and other substances commonly found in tap water, which may contribute to brown leaf tips and edges.
How much humidity does rattlesnake plant need?
Aim for at least 50 to 60% humidity around the plant. A humidifier, humidity pebble tray, grouping the plant with other houseplants, and using a hygrometer can help maintain and monitor humidity.
What temperature does rattlesnake plant prefer?
Rattlesnake plant prefers temperatures between approximately 65 and 75°F. It can tolerate temperatures around 60°F for short periods, but prolonged exposure to cool conditions should be avoided.
When should rattlesnake plant be repotted?
Repot rattlesnake plant when roots are growing from the drainage holes, the plant is drying out much faster than usual, or it has surpassed the 2/3–1/3 plant-to-pot ratio rule. The best time to repot is in spring or early summer.
How should rattlesnake plant be pruned?
Rattlesnake plant requires very little pruning. Remove yellow, brown, or severely damaged leaves by cutting the leaf stem close to the soil line with clean, sharp pruning shears. Avoid trimming healthy leaves unnecessarily to reshape the plant.
What pests can affect rattlesnake plant?
Rattlesnake plant can occasionally attract spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Spider mites are especially common when the surrounding air is too dry. Check the undersides of leaves for fine webbing, pale speckling, sticky residue, or cottony white material.
What causes brown leaf tips and edges on rattlesnake plant?
Brown, curling leaf tips and edges are usually caused by low humidity, allowing the soil to become too dry, or using water containing fluoride or excessive minerals.
How is rattlesnake plant propagated?
Rattlesnake plant is propagated by division rather than by stem cuttings. The best time to divide it is in spring when you are already repotting the plant.
Is rattlesnake plant safe for cats and dogs?
Rattlesnake plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Even so, pets should be discouraged from chewing on the foliage because ingesting a large quantity of plant material can potentially cause digestive upset.
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