RATTLESNAKE PLANT

GOEPPERTIA LANCIFOLIA

The foliage of this plant is exceptional and will add a modern look to an interior. The top side has snakelike markings in two tones of green and the underside is burgundy. Enjoying moderate humidity and filtered sun, this plant is at home in a west-facing room, especially a humid bathroom or kitchen.

HEIGHT 30in (75cm)

SPREAD 18in (45cm)

FLOWERS Insignificant

FOLIAGE Wavy edged

LIGHT Filtered sun/light shade

TEMPERATURE 61–75°F (16–24°C)

CARE Fairly easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN Brazil

CARE

For success, grow your rattlesnake plant in a bright room where it can be protected from direct sunlight—too much sun will cause the striking foliage markings to fade.

Plant in commercial potting mix and keep consistently moist all year round. This plant thrives when temperatures and watering regimes don’t fluctuate throughout the year. To keep the humidity high around the plant, place the pot on a tray of damp, expanded clay granules and mist it regularly. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every month in the growing season to encourage flowers.

Prune any damaged leaves right at the base or neatly trim off brown tips. Rattlesnake plants will enjoy renewed vigor if they’re repotted in early summer; this is also the best time to divide the rattlesnake plant to create new plants.

PROBLEM SOLVING Red spider mites are attracted to this plant, so be sure to regularly check the undersides of leaves. The edges of the foliage can sometimes start to wither. The likely cause of this is too much calcium in the tap water. To remedy, try watering with room-temperature rainwater.

DK

The front and back of rattlesnake plants’ leaves are completely different.

DISPLAY

With its eye-catching, distinctively patterned long leaves, the rattlesnake plant is a spectacular addition to any interior and will introduce a contemporary, tropical feel. A good specimen offers a well-balanced shape, which makes it suitable for displaying on its own in the center of a table. For a truly tropical display, group it with plants that have contrasting shape and texture but are similar color, such as the velvet plant and the radiator plant.

Houseplants A–Z | RATTLESNAKE PLANT

ALSO TRY

Foliage plants don’t get much more interesting than the rattlesnake plant. Offering both patterned foliage and a wavy edge, it’s consistently popular. If you’ve fallen for its charms, consider trying other goeppertias, such as:

  • Peacock plant (Goeppertia makoyana), height 24in (60cm). This plant has silver leaves with dark green markings and burgundy markings beneath.
DK

The peacock plant will thrive in filtered sun and high humidity.

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