Maranta cristata 'Intense'

Where Maranta cristata comes from

Maranta cristata comes from humid tropical habitats in central and eastern Brazil. Maranta bicolor is an older botanical name for the same species.

Caring for 'Intense'

• Light: Bright filtered or indirect light suits 'Intense'.
• Watering: Keep the potting mix evenly moist while new leaves are developing. Water when the surface starts to feel less damp, then let excess water drain.
• Humidity: Humid air helps keep the leaf edges in good condition.
• Temperature: Keep it above 15 °C and protect it from sudden temperature changes.
• Potting mix: Choose a houseplant mix that holds some moisture and drains freely, with enough air around the roots.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced houseplant fertiliser while new growth is developing, following the label. Pause feeding when growth slows markedly.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container, the mix becomes compacted, or water stops moving through the pot evenly.
• Propagation: Divide an established plant into sections, keeping healthy roots and new shoots on each piece.

Common problems with 'Intense'

• Fine pale speckles or webbing appear: Check the leaves for spider mites. Isolate the plant and rinse the leaves carefully. If needed, use a product labelled for spider mites and repeat it as often as the label directs.
• Leaf edges become crisp and the leaves curl: Check whether the root ball has dried, whether the air is too dry, and whether the plant has been exposed to cold air. Water if the root ball is dry, then raise the humidity and keep the plant warm.
• White cottony clusters gather around the leaf bases: Mealybugs may be present. Isolate the plant and remove visible insects. If needed, use a product labelled for mealybugs and repeat it as directed on the label.
• Exposed leaves develop pale bleached areas or dry tan patches: Strong direct sun can bleach or scorch the leaves. Move the plant into bright filtered light and look for healthy colour in new growth.
• Lower leaves yellow while the mix stays wet and the roots soften: Unpot the plant and inspect the roots. With a clean disinfected tool, remove rotten roots back to firm healthy tissue, discard the rot and repot in fresh mix that drains freely.

Maranta cristata ‘Intense’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

When was Maranta cristata first published, and what does it mean?

Maranta commemorates Bartolomeo Maranta. Cristata is Latin for “crested”.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Maranta in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 2; Charles Plumier had proposed the name.

Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius first described Maranta cristata in 1823 in Nova Acta Physico-Medica Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum, volume 11, issue 1, page 25.