Calathea roseopicta Cora - Rose-painted calathea

Calathea roseopicta 'Cora', or peacock plant, is a tropical houseplant with particularly architectural foliage. Its large, dark green ovate leaves, broadly edged with cream and decorated with a central light green pattern washed with pink, reveal a purple underside. Like other prayer plants, it unfolds and raises its leaves in rhythm with day and night, which enhances its charm.

Belonging to the Marantaceae family, Calathea 'Cora' is now classified under the genus Goeppertia: it can be found under the name Goeppertia roseopicta 'Cora'. The species originates from northwestern Brazil, in the Amazon basin, where it grows in humid undergrowth, sheltered from direct sunlight. 
The cultivar 'Cora' grows from an underground rhizome. The plant has a bushy habit and forms a clump 40 to 60 cm in height and approximately 40 to 50 cm in diameter. Its growth is rather slow. Its leaves can reach 20 cm in length; their border is dark green, the centre cream to light green, washed with pink hues, traversed by darker markings, while the underside displays a deep purple. The petiolate stems, tinged with burgundy, enhance the decorative aspect of the foliage. Flowering is rare indoors; it consists of small, discreet white flowers at the base of the leaves. It is the foliage that captures attention. 
The Calathea genus is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans, allowing it to be placed safely in a living space.

Indoors, this plant thrives under bright, filtered light or in bright partial shade, within a temperature range of 18 to 24 °C (not below 16 °C), with high air humidity. It is a plant for attentive gardeners, as it quickly suffers from air that is too dry or from overwatering. 
It enjoys rooms where the air is naturally more humid (bathroom, kitchen, slightly heated conservatory). Be mindful of cold draughts when airing in winter!

Place Calathea roseopicta 'Cora' in a matte or glazed ceramic pot, positioned on a low piece of furniture or a shelf near an east or north-facing window. Its variegated foliage enlivens a reading nook, a small coffee table, or the worktop of a large kitchen. In a "sophisticated jungle" atmosphere, pair it with a Calathea ornata, a Philodendron 'White Princess', and a Syngonium 'Neon Robusta' with pinkish leaves. In a more architectural style, you can place it next to an Alocasia 'Amazonica Dwarf', with very dark leaves veined in white.