Q: You and I talked about the peacock ginger and I have been looking for them since our discussion. I bought a peacock plant the other day and I wanted to know if I got lucky and found a peacock ginger by accident.

A: I am glad you brought it in for me to see as common names can be so confusing. Peacock plants and peacock gingers are not the same plant although the leaves are similar looking. I suspect the similar name “peacock” comes from the beautiful patterns on the upper leaves of both plants. Peacock plant, Calathea makoyana, is considered a tropical, house plant here, although it might be possible to use them in a protected area such as a screened patio. They are best suited for cold hardiness zones 10-11, which is South Florida. Remember, we are more typically 8b – 9a cold hardiness zones. Peacock plants can grow to 4 feet tall whereas peacock gingers only grow to about 18 inches. For more information on the peacock plant, check out the University of Florida publication: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FP/FP08600.pdf

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