Rattlesnake plant Goeppertia insignis
Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Marantaceae family, native to Atlantic forest of Brazil. It grows 50–80 cm (20–31 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 15 °C (59 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Rattlesnake plant at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Marantaceae |
| Mature height | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 15 °C (59 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Atlantic forest of Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Rattlesnake plant toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists calatheas as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rattlesnake plant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
Questions about Rattlesnake plant
- How far apart should I plant Rattlesnake plant?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Rattlesnake plant need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rattlesnake plant need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rattlesnake plant?
- It tolerates about 15 °C (59 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Rattlesnake plant flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Rattlesnake plant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists calatheas as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Rattlesnake plant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rattlesnake plant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Long, wavy-edged, pale green leaves marked with dark green ovals like a snake’s pattern, purple beneath. Among the easier calatheas; often sold as Calathea lancifolia.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Peacock plant Goeppertia makoyana
- Arrowroot (West Indian arrowroot) Maranta arundinacea
- Round-leaf calathea Goeppertia orbifolia
- Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) Ctenanthe burle-marxii
- Triostar stromanthe Stromanthe thalia
- Prayer plant (herringbone plant) Maranta leuconeura
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula