Wavy leaves on a peacock plant usually mean stress , most often from watering, humidity, or light issues. For calathea/peacock plants, leaf curling or waviness is commonly linked to dehydration, low humidity, temperature swings, too much direct sun, or sometimes overwatering and root stress.

Most likely causes

  • Underwatering: the soil gets too dry, so the leaves curl or go wavy to reduce moisture loss.
  • Low humidity: peacock plants are tropical and prefer humid air.
  • Too much direct light: strong sun can stress the leaves and make them curl.
  • Overwatering: soggy soil can damage roots, which then stops the plant from taking up water properly.
  • Water quality: hard tap water or mineral-heavy water can bother calatheas.

What to check

  1. Feel the top 1–2 inches of soil.
  2. Look for yellowing, browning, drooping, or crispy edges.
  3. Check whether the plant is near a heater, AC vent, or drafty window.
  4. Make sure it gets bright, indirect light, not direct sun.
  5. If the soil stays wet for a long time, check for root rot signs.

What to do

  • Water when the top layer of soil just starts to dry, but do not let it stay bone-dry.
  • Increase humidity with a humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping plants together.
  • Move it away from direct sun and temperature swings.
  • Use filtered, distilled, or rain water if possible.

When it’s serious

If the waviness comes with yellow leaves, mushy stems, a bad smell from the soil, or persistent drooping, the problem may be root damage rather than simple thirst.

A simple rule: wavy leaves on a peacock plant are usually your plant saying, “my conditions aren’t quite right.”