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prayerplant (Maranta leuconeura)

Maranta leuconeura is an evergreen, rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial herb with a spreading, creeping habit that can root at the nodes.

LightIt grows in bright indirect light through partial or full shade; strong direct sunlight should be avoided because excessive sun may fade the leaves or damage them.
WaterDuring the growing season, keep the growing medium evenly moist but well drained and not waterlogged; reduce watering in winter and allow the medium to become somewhat drier.
HumidityMaranta leuconeura prefers high humidity.
TemperatureThe few available sources report a minimum of about 15 °C, an ideal range of about 21–27 °C, and a maximum of about 27 °C. It is generally frost tender; keep above freezing.
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prayerplant illustration

Overview

Maranta leuconeura is an evergreen, rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial herb with a spreading, creeping habit that can root at the nodes.

Origin and habitat

Maranta leuconeura is native to Brazil, with records indicating eastern Atlantic forest and central Brazil. It is reported to inhabit tropical forest environments, including the eastern Brazilian Atlantic forest, where it can spread horizontally along the forest floor. Its forest environment is tropical, warm, and humid.

Characteristics

Sources differ, and are few, on mature size, giving a height and spread of about 10–50 cm. The leaves are ovate to elliptic, entire, and patterned; 'Kerchoveana' has paler leaves with several dark green blotches, veins that are not especially prominent, and leaf undersides that may be pale green. The small flowers range from white to pale purple or pink and are less often seen indoors, where they have little ornamental importance; flowering can occur during the growing season. The plant is reported to produce capsules.

Light

It grows in bright indirect light through partial or full shade; strong direct sunlight should be avoided because excessive sun may fade the leaves or damage them.

Watering

During the growing season, keep the growing medium evenly moist but well drained and not waterlogged; reduce watering in winter and allow the medium to become somewhat drier.

Humidity and airflow

Maranta leuconeura prefers high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

The few available sources report a minimum of about 15 °C, an ideal range of about 21–27 °C, and a maximum of about 27 °C. It is generally frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

Sources differ in their descriptions of suitable media, but describe a preference for a well-drained, humus-rich medium that remains moist, with clay and loam among the adaptable soils and chalk and sand also listed; acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions are included.

Feeding

Feed during the growing season and reduce feeding at other times; excessive fertilizer may cause leaf burn.

Propagation

Maranta leuconeura can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seed, with rhizome division also commonly used for indoor cultivation.

Common problems

It is reported to be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs. It is generally described as having few disease problems, although sugarcane mosaic virus has been recorded on the species and the fungus Bipolaris marantae has been found on cultivated plants in Brazil. Direct or excessive sunlight can fade or damage leaves, dry air can dry the foliage, and high fluoride levels or excessive fertilizer may cause leaf burn. It is sensitive to frost and low temperatures, while hot conditions require higher humidity.

Identification

The leaves lie flatter during the day and rise or fold together at night in a posture resembling praying hands; 'Kerchoveana' is distinguished by paler green leaves with several dark green to dark brown blotches.

Photos

Maranta leuconeura
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Sources