Goeppertia crotalifera
Rattlesnake plant, Bijao
Also known as Calathea crotalifera
- Height × spread
- 2.5m × 1m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A striking plant that can reach around 2.5 metres in height in its homeland which goes from Mexico to Peru, including Venezuela. It makes an open, airy upstanding plant that makes a fan shape with long leaves held on tall slender stalks. The leaves which are around 40 cm in length are somewhat oblong, coloured green with a pale midrib. The plant is popularly known as the rattlesnake plant on account of its unusual flowers which resemble the articulated tail of a rattlesnake. These are coloured yellow and held on vertical stalks amongst the foliage. They are composed of tiers of horizontal bracts from which the true, and tiny flowers emerge. These are coloured cream and have gaping mouths with a larger lower petal. This flowers in summer and may lose some of its foliage during the winter months. It enjoys some moisture and dappled light or part shade. Note Goeppertia/ Calathea lancifolia is also called rattlesnake plant but in this case it is the likeness of the leaf pattern to the skin of the rattlesnake.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2.5m
- Spread
- 1m
- Height in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 16C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
16C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 16 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.