Plant Profile: Goeppertia insignis

Names

Calathea Lancifolia 2, Prayer Plant, Rattlesnake Calathea, Rattlesnake Master, Rattlesnake Plant

  • Photo of Goeppertia insignis (Goeppertia insigniss)

Phonetic Spelling:GO-per-sha in-SIG-nis

Genus:Goeppertia

Species:insignis

Family:Marantaceae

A houseplant known for its eye-catching leaves.

Quick Identification Tips:

This evergreen indoor herbaceous perennial can grow up to 20 inches tall, featuring a fountain-like, spreading growth habit.

It is prized for its uniquely patterned leaves with undulating edges, but it can be challenging to maintain due to its specific humidity needs. This plant is often used as an accent piece or a focal specimen in indoor environments, large terrariums, or greenhouses.

It does not tolerate low humidity, overly wet or dry soil, fluctuating temperatures, cold drafts, direct sunlight, or insufficient light. Instead, it thrives in bright locations with high humidity, consistently moist soil, and stable average room temperatures. Fortunately, it is not prone to serious pest or disease issues.

Goeppertia insignis Feature Summary

Goeppertia insignis Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#houseplant
#green
#showy leaves
#interiorscape
#herbaceous
#burgundy
#fantz
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats

Similar Plants

Goeppertia insignis is often confused with:

Goeppertia insignis Feature Summary

Leaves
Basal or crowded alternate, simple, oblong-linear to narrowly lanceolate, acute, cuneate, undulate, medium to light green above with alternating large and small, dark green, elliptic blotches along lateral veins, underside purple-maroon; petioles sheathing at base.
Green
Red/Burgundy
Purple/Lavender
Linear
Oblong
Lanceolate
Undulate
Stem
Short, erect aerial or rhizomatous.
Whole Plant Traits
Houseplant
Cultural Conditions
Landscape
Container
Houseplants

Goeppertia insignis Attributes

Goeppertia insignis: Country Or Region Of Origin

Brazil

Goeppertia insignis Leaves

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Description

Basal or crowded alternate, simple, oblong-linear to narrowly lanceolate, acute, cuneate, undulate, medium to light green above with alternating large and small, dark green, elliptic blotches along lateral veins, underside purple-maroon; petioles sheathing at base.

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Color

spa
Green
spa
Purple/Lavender
spa
Red/Burgundy

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Goeppertia insignis: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Goeppertia insignis: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Goeppertia insignis Stem

Goeppertia insignis: Stem Description

Short, erect aerial or rhizomatous.

Goeppertia insignis: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Goeppertia insignis Whole Plant Traits

Goeppertia insignis: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Goeppertia insignis Cultural Conditions

Goeppertia insignis: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Goeppertia insignis Landscape

Goeppertia insignis: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland