Maranta leuconeura is a kind of houseplants that I’ve had for longer than I can really keep in mind! Which, in fact is an effective signal that it’s a plant that has longevity. These vegetation are simple going, gradual rising houseplants — a fantastic alternative for smaller areas. I significantly love the attention-grabbing foliage and approach that the plant strikes its leaves all through the day.
Right this moment’s put up is all about how I take care of my Maranta leuconeura and I will probably be overlaying the matters of:
- mild + positioning
- watering
- humidity + leaf care
- fertilising
- flowering
- pests + remedy
- repotting
- potting combine (+ pots)
- + propagation
INTRODUCING PRAYER PLANTS…
As a short introduction, Maranta is certainly a prayer plant. Prayer vegetation are a bunch of vegetation which can be often known as Marantaceae, Maranta being one of many vegetation in that group. I simply wished to make clear that as it may be just a little complicated if you’re simply getting used to botanical nomenclature! So inside this Marantaceae, or Prayer Plant household, different family members you may need heard of in embody Calathea, Stromanthe and Ctenanthe. Most of those are identified for his or her patterned, vibrant foliage. The leaves fold and lift up at evening, as if in prayer, which makes for an attention-grabbing present!
Of this plant gang, I presently personal two Stromanthe vegetation which I propagated by division and one Maranta. I’ve had a couple of Calathea over time however they aren’t identified for his or her longevity, which is extra my desire as of late. I had a Calathea Orbifolia which did (surprisingly) nicely for a couple of years but it surely hated being moved final 12 months and by no means fairly recovered.
The factor concerning the extra difficult vegetation from this group is that they will are inclined to put you off you probably have a difficult expertise with them. Personally, I’d suggest a Maranta or a Stromanthe over a Ctenanthe or Calathea any day of the week. They’re only a bit less difficult going. Means higher as an introduction to rising prayer vegetation I believe!
MARANTA LEUCONEURA VARIETIES
The plant you’ll see all through the put up is my very own. I’ll be calling it Maranta leuconeura all through, however for readability, it’s ‘full’ title is definitely a little bit of a mouthful! It’s a Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana. Also called ‘rabbit tracks’ Maranta. It’s has blue-green foliage with darkish brown splotches. The opposite in style sort of Maranta leuconeura is the red-backed herringbone Maranta. That is Maranta leuconeura erythroneura. The care necessities are the identical for each vegetation.
I’ll pop a photograph under for comparability:
LIGHT
The most effective issues about Maranta leuconeura is simply how adaptable they’re when it comes to their lighting wants. They aren’t fussy. I’ve really grown mine in a wide range of situations in my final three properties. The principle consideration although is that they definitely want a place out of direct mild, which tends to go well with a typical house surroundings nicely. That interprets as pretty brilliant, oblique mild and I’m within the northern hemisphere for reference. The leaves are paper-like to the contact which signifies their sensitivity to very brilliant mild. This may probably lead to scorching — thicker foliage is way more sturdy and resilient to sturdy mild.
Maranta can do nicely for a few years in a shaded place, whereas a number of the different prayer vegetation are a bit extra demanding or tend to lose their variegation in darkish rooms, like a Stromanthe triostar. That is maybe why you generally see the herringbone Maranta (with the pink undersides) in libraries, malls and lobby planting shows. These environments are largely lit by synthetic mild too. My rabbit tracks maranta you see right here within the put up is probably much less widespread. However I’m drawn to blue-toned inexperienced foliage… So this one is my most well-liked alternative if I needed to decide!
POSITIONING
Initially, my plant was in a South-West going through room round 3 metres from a window, with the sunshine filtered by a web. This actually helped to forestall the foliage from trying washed out or crispy on account of a light-weight that was too intense. That was in my outdated condominium in Wales. Subsequent, my Maranta leuconeura moved to North Yorkshire with me and sat on prime of my fridge within the cottage I used to be in for 18 months. This was a North-West going through area which had some bushes exterior which definitely had an influence on softening the sunshine. Right here within the Chapel it’s a couple of metres away from my east window which is softer and will get the solar within the morning. It’s been having fun with this for the couple of months I’ve been right here.
In case your plant is positioned in opposition to a wall with mild coming from one path, it is going to be useful to rotate your plant each few weeks to make sure that all of the plant is getting good mild publicity. Elements of the pot which can be shrouded by the opposite foliage because the Maranta matures can die again in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient mild.
Keep in mind that these are the situations which can be private to my present surroundings and are used as a information so that you can examine with your individual house. It’s essential to additionally keep in mind that home windows will be fairly totally different in measurement and if you happen to reside in a constructed up space, with different buildings shut by, or if there are obstacles like bushes exterior as I point out above, this all has an influence on the depth of sunshine.
WATERING
Of all of the prayer vegetation, I’ve discovered my Maranta leuconeura to be essentially the most forgiving if I neglect to water it once in a while. Usually although, consistency can actually assist to maintain these vegetation rising nicely. Prayer vegetation want to have their potting combine at a constant moisture however that doesn’t imply an excessive amount of water on a regular basis. A Maranta hates to dry out fully. The leaves may develop markings on them and curl inwards, plus the ideas of the foliage may additionally crisp in protest too.
A hygrometer is a helpful little bit of package I wouldn’t be with out and one I’d suggest if you happen to battle to get houseplant watering proper. I additionally like to make use of a watering spike with my prayer vegetation to assist bridge the hole between waterings. Right here are some clear ones or there’s a vibrant possibility right here.
Do not forget that tepid (room temperature) water is all the time greatest on your houseplants – something too chilly can shock them. Maranta are fairly delicate to faucet water too. When you reside in an space with arduous water like me, you may discover some marks on the leaves (these will be wiped away with a mushy fabric). If potential, utilizing rain water or filtered water may help to forestall some brown crisping on the leaf edges too. When the surface area is levelled right here on the renovation, I’m going to be putting in a water butt ASAP! I believe my houseplants are going to take pleasure in that…
HUMIDITY
In comparison with different prayer vegetation, the Maranta leuconeura grows very nicely in typical family humidities. That is what makes it such a forgiving houseplant I believe. As a lot as growing humidities with humidifiers and so forth. can actually assist your vegetation to thrive, it doesn’t go well with all environments. When you do develop tropical vegetation although, greater humidities can actually ramp up development and leaf measurement. My house situations are actually totally different in comparison with what I’ve been used to during the last 8 years so my vegetation and I are presently adapting!
One factor to notice right here although, attempt to withstand inserting a Maranta near heaters, draughts or air-con models as a result of these vegetation actually dislike temperature fluctuations. You’ll probably additionally get crisping on the foliage in these areas the place the air is notoriously dry.
One other method to create beneficial situations round your plant is to prime your pot with Sphagnum moss. This may help preserve moisture ranges which may scale back watering frequency. It will possibly additionally create a very slight enhance in localised humidity. On the backside of my pot (beneath my drip tray), I’ve an inch or two of pebbles that lifts the pot and tray up within the planter. When it’s actually heat, I’ll often add some water to this, which lets the moisture evaporate across the foliage. However that is extra a sensible styling factor than an efficient method to elevate humidity, because the outcomes are solely negligible and short-term. Understanding the relation between watering steadiness and potting combine is one of the best ways to maintain your Maranta comfortable.
LEAF CARE
To maintain your vegetation trying their greatest, holding foliage free from mud is an intrinsic a part of houseplant care. I can safely say I’ve by no means struggled with this as a lot as proper now — renovation mud is the bane of my life! My Maranta leuconeura doesn’t get fairly as dusty compared to a few of my larger-leaved houseplants like my Monstera and Ficus household. However nonetheless. The mud will get in every single place!
As you’ll be able to see within the images on this put up, Maranta leaves are pretty and mushy and have an attention-grabbing texture. They remind me of a barely much less velvety model of Calathea warscewiczii foliage in a approach. As a consequence of this texture, the water beads up on the leaves once they get moist. When issues are trying just a little lacklustre and I discover a veil of mud starting to decide on the leaves, I’ll give my plant a clear within the bathe. When cleansing, don’t neglect concerning the undersides of the leaves. That is additionally an excellent time to test for pests. I’ve received a extra complete put up on my leaf cleansing method which I’ll hyperlink to right here if you wish to see extra ideas.
FERTILISING
My Maranta leuconeura could be very laid again in relation to requiring common fertilising. I typically feed my plant round a few times a month when the plant is actively rising. I take advantage of a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half the really useful dilution charge. Earlier than feeding, test to make sure the potting combine isn’t excessively dry — this will forestall fertiliser burn. Because it’s not good to let your Maranta dry out between waterings although, it’s hardly ever an issue. However it’s one thing to pay attention to if the climate has been sizzling.
By way of when to feed, the best method to choose is that if your plant is exhibiting indicators of development. It’s very chilly the place I reside throughout Winter and with the cruel lower in temperatures, I’ve been getting used to my houseplants stopping rising altogether. Throughout their relaxation interval, I cease feeding till I discover indicators of lively development resuming. In case your local weather is sort of totally different to mine and you discover your vegetation develop year-round, then extra common fertilising is completely tremendous.
FLOWERING
My Maranta flowers round yearly because it’s matured a bit. The flowers are small and white and really fairly! Sometimes, I can’t discover a photograph as I’m scripting this put up, but when I do I’ll insert one later. These vegetation are primarily grown for his or her foliage and never their flowers although.
PESTS
Prayer vegetation on the whole have a little bit of a foul fame for pests. It is because the extra difficult vegetation like Calathea will be prone to issues like Spider mites, mealy bugs and so forth. By comparability, I discover Maranta to be extra sturdy in resisting pest pressures. This in fact is straight associated to establishing a excellent care routine, and understanding the wants of the plant(s) in query.
Take into consideration the factors we’ve got thought of to date on this care information as a begin. Guarantee your Maranta is getting appropriate mild, hold a consistency together with your watering routine and clear the foliage to forestall mud construct up. Common cleansing is an effective pest deterrent, significantly in excessive visitors areas the place mud can construct up extra rapidly.
Above and under: Maranta foliage is way simpler to maintain clear than a Stromanthe (under) because the mid-rib of the leaves are a lot much less pronounced on a Maranta. That is the place mud or pests can congregate, and I discover I’ve to be way more vigilant with my Stromathe than with my Maranta leuconeura.
As a Maranta prefers a softer, oblique mild, it’s much less more likely to be affected by the cruel environmental situations that may exacerbate any lurking pest issues. While Maranta cope nicely in typical family humidities, be aware if your own home could be very dry as this could possibly be problematic in the long run. Pest pressures are sometimes compounded by low humidities and dry, brilliant situations. This may could cause an assault of pink spider mite, thrips or mealy bugs. Mealy bugs are inclined to congregate round the place the a number of stems type into clumps at soil degree.
TREATMENT
There are a variety of how to cope with pests however the final time I had a slight downside with my Stromanthe I gave it a castille resolution spray and tub — roots and all — earlier than showering down. It’s messy but it surely did the job! See photograph under. I’ve not performed this with my Maranta, however you will want to be extra light because the leaves are that rather more delicate. I’d say a remedy spray could be my first port of name with this one.
After any remedy, I like to make use of SB plant invigorator both as a prepared to make use of spray, or you may also get a concentrated bottle to dilute right into a spray bottle your self. Once more, you will want to check part of the plant first. I spray the back and front of the foliage as some additional post-treatment care, however watch out to maintain out of direct mild because the leaves will probably be extra delicate after any pest remedy.
I’ve additionally used a neem oil resolution which can also be very efficient for one thing extra widespread, or if it’s one thing very minor, a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol works too. After I’ve had a pest problem with my plant, I all the time isolate it for plenty of weeks earlier than reintroducing close to my different vegetation. When you uncover a pest problem, it’s all the time greatest to hold out a radical test of any vegetation that had been situated close by, or any vegetation which can be typically extra delicate to an assault.
MARANTA LEUCONEURA REPOTTING
As a slower rising houseplant, Maranta leuconeura doesn’t require frequent repotting. A brand new planter one measurement larger than the earlier one each 12-24 months is normally completely tremendous. If you end up planning to re-pot, it’s good observe to water your plant a couple of days upfront of the duty. It is because manipulating a really dry plant can typically trigger transplant shock. Take away the plant from the pot and be light with the roots as you loosen them together with your palms, shaking off any outdated potting combine. Regardless of not needing repotting typically, these vegetation will actually profit from new potting combine when they’re repotted.
I are inclined to do my repotting in batches so will make up a container of potting combine that fits the vegetation in query. Keep in mind to test whether or not or not your compost has any gradual launch fertiliser in it, so that you just aren’t double feeding. As I mentioned above, Maranta actually dislike this!
POTTING MIX
By way of potting combine, I take advantage of my customary combine I wish to make up of houseplant compost, orchid bark, horticultural grit and a few perlite as the bottom. However on this occasion, I’ll add in some additional houseplant compost to permit the potting combine to carry onto moisture for longer. As well as, I’ll add in some sphagnum moss if I’ve it. I additionally like to make use of it as a pot topper for some additional moisture retention and to maintain the soil temperature up too. That is additionally an excellent tip if you’re liable to under-watering! If you’re utilizing this substrate please be sure you purchase your Sphagnum from a good supply.
A NOTE ON POTS:
The kind of pot you select to make use of can also be intrinsically related to your combine and watering necessities. For me, I want to make use of nursery pots with my prayer vegetation. As with different humidity loving houseplants, I discover they dry out far too rapidly in terracotta. Terracotta is way more porous and can wick the moisture away from the plant. If you wish to use terracotta for show or plant styling causes, you’ll be able to all the time use the terracotta as a canopy (cache) pot.
PROPAGATION
One cause you may end up contemplating propagating your Maranta leuconeura is that the expansion has change into very dense. I wish to prune my plant to assist hold this space much less compact and to permit air stream across the base.
When propagating by division, it helps to decide on part of the plant that’s wholesome and that additionally has some roots. This makes the transition smoother and fewer demanding on your plant because it adapts to its new house/pot. I’ve received a piece concerning the propagation by division course of within the put up linked right here.
CONCLUSION
I hope you loved studying a bit extra about Maranta leuconeura on this care information.
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