Maranta Genus
Maranta Info, Care & Indoor Growing Guide

genus: Maranta L.

common names: prayer plant

type: evergreen perennials

family: Marantaceae

native range: tropical Central and South America

and the West Indies

zone: 10 to 13

height: up to 40cm

spread: up to 100cm

type species: Maranta arundinacea L.

bloom time: seasonal bloomer

sun: part shade to full shade

water: medium

maintenance: medium

soil type: well-drained, peaty potting mixtures

toxicity: non-toxic to pets and humans

Maranta is a genus of flowering plants in the family Marantaceae, native to tropical Central and South America and the West Indies.

About 40-50 species are currently recognized. They all have rhizomes and naturally form perennial clumps. The crowded oval, evergreen leaves are undivided with sheathing stalks. The leaves are flat by day and folded up as the day comes to an end, hence the common name "prayer plant" which attaches to the genus and its species - notably M. leuconeura. The flowers are small with three petals and two larger petal-like staminodes.

Excellent indoor foliage plant for pots or hanging baskets. In tropical areas, it forms an attractive ground cover for shady areas.

Varieties and cultivars of species are distinguished from the species by leaf patterns and leaf coloration.

Maranta was named for Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian physician and botanist of the sixteenth century.

Maranta leuconeura Kerchoveana-variegata aka Beauty Kim aka Fiesta

Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.

Maranta plants make great, low-maintenance houseplants. They grow best in moist, humusy, well-drained soils. They prefer temperatures that do not dip below 15°C. They grow best in bright indoor light but no strong direct sun. Too much sun will bleach out the attractive leaf colors. Keep soils consistently moist and fertilize regularly during the growing season, but reduce soil moisture and substantially reduce fertilizer applications from autumn to late winter. Consider placing this plant in a humidified room and/or in standing pot in a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity. Propagate by cuttings or division.

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