Maranta leuconeura is a type of houseplants that I’ve had for longer than I can really bear in mind! Which, after all is an effective signal that it’s a plant that has longevity. These vegetation are simple going, gradual rising houseplants — an ideal selection for smaller areas. I notably love the fascinating foliage and method that the plant strikes its leaves all through the day.
At present’s put up is all about how I take care of my Maranta leuconeura and I will probably be masking the matters of:
- gentle + positioning
- watering
- humidity + leaf care
- fertilising
- flowering
- pests + therapy
- 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 are referred to as Marantaceae, Maranta being one of many vegetation in that group. I simply needed to make clear that as it may be somewhat complicated if you’re simply getting used to botanical nomenclature! So inside this Marantaceae, or Prayer Plant household, different kin you may need heard of in embrace 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 fascinating present!
Of this plant gang, I presently personal two Stromanthe vegetation which I propagated by division and one Maranta. I’ve had a number of Calathea through the years however they aren’t identified for his or her longevity, which is extra my desire nowadays. I had a Calathea Orbifolia which did (surprisingly) properly for a number of years but it surely hated being moved final 12 months and by no means fairly recovered.
The factor concerning the extra tough vegetation from this group is that they will are likely to put you off if in case you have a difficult expertise with them. Personally, I might 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 standard 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 quite a lot of situations in my final three properties. The principle consideration although is that they actually favor a place out of direct gentle, which tends to swimsuit a typical residence atmosphere properly. That interprets as pretty vibrant, oblique gentle and I’m within the northern hemisphere for reference. The leaves are paper-like to the contact which signifies their sensitivity to very vibrant gentle. This may probably end in scorching — thicker foliage is far more strong and resilient to sturdy gentle.
Maranta can do properly for a few years in a shaded place, whereas a few 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 crimson undersides) in libraries, malls and lobby planting shows. These environments are largely lit by synthetic gentle too. My rabbit tracks maranta you see right here within the put up is probably much less frequent. However I’m drawn to blue-toned inexperienced foliage… So this one is my most well-liked selection if I needed to choose!
POSITIONING
To start with, my plant was in a South-West dealing with room round 3 metres from a window, with the sunshine filtered by a internet. This actually helped to forestall the foliage from wanting washed out or crispy on account of a lightweight that was too intense. That was in my previous house in Wales. Subsequent, my Maranta leuconeura moved to North Yorkshire with me and sat on high of my fridge within the cottage I used to be in for 18 months. This was a North-West dealing with area which had some timber exterior which actually had an affect on softening the sunshine. Right here within the Chapel it’s a number 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 towards a wall with gentle coming from one path, will probably be useful to rotate your plant each few weeks to make sure that all of the plant is getting good gentle publicity. Components of the pot which are shrouded by the opposite foliage because the Maranta matures can die again in the event that they don’t obtain sufficient gentle.
Keep in mind that these are the situations which are private to my present atmosphere and are used as a information so that you can examine with your individual residence. It’s necessary to additionally keep in mind that home windows may be fairly completely different in dimension and in case you dwell in a constructed up space, with different buildings shut by, or if there are obstacles like timber exterior as I point out above, this all has an affect on the depth of sunshine.
WATERING
Of all of the prayer vegetation, I’ve discovered my Maranta leuconeura to be probably the most forgiving if I neglect to water it every so often. Usually although, consistency can actually assist to maintain these vegetation rising properly. Prayer vegetation favor 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 would possibly develop markings on them and curl inwards, plus the guidelines of the foliage may also crisp in protest too.
A hygrometer is a helpful little bit of equipment I wouldn’t be with out and one I might suggest in case you 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 choice right here.
Keep in mind that tepid (room temperature) water is all the time greatest to your houseplants – something too chilly can shock them. Maranta are fairly delicate to faucet water too. In the event you dwell in an space with onerous water like me, you would possibly discover some marks on the leaves (these may be wiped away with a delicate material). If potential, utilizing rain water or filtered water will help to forestall some brown crisping on the leaf edges too. When the skin 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 get pleasure from that…
HUMIDITY
In comparison with different prayer vegetation, the Maranta leuconeura grows very properly in typical family humidities. That is what makes it such a forgiving houseplant I believe. As a lot as rising humidities with humidifiers and many others. can actually assist your vegetation to thrive, it doesn’t swimsuit all environments. In the event you do develop tropical vegetation although, increased humidities can actually ramp up progress and leaf dimension. My residence situations are actually completely different in comparison with what I’ve been used to over the past 8 years so my vegetation and I are presently adapting!
One factor to notice right here although, strive to withstand putting a Maranta near heaters, draughts or air con items as a result of these vegetation actually dislike temperature fluctuations. You’ll probably additionally get crisping on the foliage in these places the place the air is notoriously dry.
One other method to create beneficial situations round your plant is to high your pot with Sphagnum moss. This will help preserve moisture ranges which might scale back watering frequency. It could 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 sometimes 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 non permanent. Understanding the relation between watering stability and potting combine is one of the best ways to maintain your Maranta completely happy.
LEAF CARE
To maintain your vegetation wanting 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 may see within the images on this put up, Maranta leaves are beautiful and delicate and have an fascinating texture. They remind me of a barely much less velvety model of Calathea warscewiczii foliage in a method. As a consequence of this texture, the water beads up on the leaves once they get moist. When issues are wanting somewhat lacklustre and I discover a veil of mud starting to choose 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 a great time to examine for pests. I’ve bought a extra complete put up on my leaf cleansing approach which I’ll hyperlink to right here if you wish to see extra suggestions.
FERTILISING
My Maranta leuconeura may be very laid again with regards to requiring common fertilising. I usually feed my plant round a couple of times a month when the plant is actively rising. I take advantage of a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half the really helpful dilution price. Earlier than feeding, examine to make sure the potting combine isn’t excessively dry — this will stop fertiliser burn. Because it’s not good to let your Maranta dry out between waterings although, it’s hardly ever an issue. But it surely’s one thing to pay attention to if the climate has been sizzling.
When it comes to when to feed, the simplest method to decide is that if your plant is displaying indicators of progress. It’s very chilly the place I dwell throughout Winter and with the tough 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 energetic progress resuming. In case your local weather is sort of completely different to mine and you discover your vegetation develop year-round, then extra common fertilising is totally tremendous.
FLOWERING
My Maranta flowers round annually because it’s matured a bit. The flowers are small and white and really fairly! Sometimes, I can’t discover a picture 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 usually have a little bit of a foul popularity for pests. It’s because the extra tough vegetation like Calathea may be prone to issues like Spider mites, mealy bugs and many others. By comparability, I discover Maranta to be extra strong in resisting pest pressures. This after all is immediately 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 gentle, maintain a consistency together with your watering routine and clear the foliage to forestall mud construct up. Common cleansing is an effective pest deterrent, notably in excessive site visitors areas the place mud can construct up extra shortly.
Above and under: Maranta foliage is far 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 far more vigilant with my Stromathe than with my Maranta leuconeura.
As a Maranta prefers a softer, oblique gentle, it’s much less prone to be affected by the tough environmental situations that may exacerbate any lurking pest issues. While Maranta cope properly in typical family humidities, be aware if your house may be very dry as this could possibly be problematic in the long run. Pest pressures are sometimes compounded by low humidities and dry, vibrant situations. This could may cause an assault of crimson spider mite, thrips or mealy bugs. Mealy bugs are likely to congregate round the place the a number of stems kind into clumps at soil degree.
TREATMENT
There are a selection of the way to cope with pests however the final time I had a slight drawback with my Stromanthe I gave it a castille answer spray and bathtub — roots and all — earlier than showering down. It’s messy but it surely did the job! See picture under. I’ve not carried out this with my Maranta, however you have to to be extra mild because the leaves are that rather more delicate. I might say a therapy spray could be my first port of name with this one.
After any therapy, I like to make use of SB plant invigorator both as a prepared to make use of spray, or it’s also possible to get a concentrated bottle to dilute right into a spray bottle your self. Once more, you have to 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 gentle because the leaves will probably be extra delicate after any pest therapy.
I’ve additionally used a neem oil answer which can 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. Once I’ve had a pest challenge with my plant, I all the time isolate it for quite a few weeks earlier than reintroducing close to my different vegetation. In the event you uncover a pest challenge, it’s all the time greatest to hold out a radical examine of any vegetation that have been positioned close by, or any vegetation which are usually 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 dimension greater than the earlier one each 12-24 months is often completely tremendous. If you end up planning to re-pot, it’s good apply to water your plant a number of days upfront of the duty. It’s because manipulating a really dry plant can generally trigger transplant shock. Take away the plant from the pot and be mild with the roots as you loosen them together with your fingers, shaking off any previous potting combine. Regardless of not needing repotting typically, these vegetation will actually profit from new potting combine when they’re repotted.
I are likely to do my repotting in batches so will make up a container of potting combine that fits the vegetation in query. Bear in mind to examine whether or not or not your compost has any gradual launch fertiliser in it, so that you just aren’t double feeding. As I stated above, Maranta actually dislike this!
POTTING MIX
When it comes to potting combine, I take advantage of my normal combine I prefer 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 a great tip if you’re vulnerable to under-watering! If you’re utilizing this substrate please be sure to purchase your Sphagnum from a good supply.
A NOTE ON POTS:
The kind of pot you select to make use of can be intrinsically linked to your combine and watering necessities. For me, I favor to make use of nursery pots with my prayer vegetation. As with different humidity loving houseplants, I discover they dry out far too shortly in terracotta. Terracotta is far more porous and can wick the moisture away from the plant. If you wish to use terracotta for show or plant styling causes, you may all the time use the terracotta as a canopy (cache) pot.
PROPAGATION
One purpose you would possibly end up contemplating propagating your Maranta leuconeura is that the expansion has change into very dense. I prefer to prune my plant to assist maintain this space much less compact and to permit air circulation 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 to your plant because it adapts to its new residence/pot. I’ve bought a bit 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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