Maranta leuconeura Variegata

Natural origin of this variegated Maranta

Maranta leuconeura is native to humid tropical forests in central and eastern Brazil.

Caring for variegated Maranta

• Light: Bright indirect or filtered light suits the variegated leaves.
• Watering: Keep the potting mix evenly moist during growth. Water as the surface starts to dry, then let the pot drain completely.
• Humidity: Keep the air humid, especially in heated or air-conditioned rooms.
• Temperature: A steady room temperature above about 15 °C suits the plant.
• Potting mix: Use a loose mix that holds moisture and drains freely so air can reach the fine roots.
• Water quality: Where local tap water is high in fluoride, use rainwater.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced houseplant fertiliser as new leaves develop; follow the product label.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container, water no longer drains evenly through the pot, or the mix becomes compacted.
• Propagation: Separate an established plant into pieces, keeping several healthy shoots and roots together.

Common problems with variegated Maranta

• Pale parts of the leaves develop dry tan patches after bright exposure: Strong direct sun can scorch the pale areas. Move the plant into filtered light. The damaged patches will stay marked; healthy new leaves show that the new position is working.
• Leaf edges become crisp or the leaves curl tightly: Check the root ball for dryness, then look at humidity and cold drafts. Restore moisture where needed and give the plant warm, humid conditions.
• Fine pale speckles or webbing appear: Look closely at the leaf undersides for spider mites. Isolate the plant and wash the leaves gently. If needed, choose a product labelled for spider mites and follow the repeat instructions on the label.
• Brown tips keep appearing on several leaves: Excess fertiliser or water with high fluoride levels can burn the leaves. Flush the mix with plain water, pause feeding and choose rainwater if the local tap supply is high in fluoride.
• Soft dark roots appear with yellow leaves: Soft dark roots indicate root rot. Take the plant out of the wet mix, cut rotten roots back to firm healthy tissue using a clean disinfected tool, discard the rotten material and repot in fresh loose mix that drains freely.

Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana variegata’ 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.

Where does the name Maranta leuconeura come from?

Maranta commemorates Bartolomeo Maranta. Leuconeura combines Greek leukos, meaning white, with neuron, meaning nerve, and refers to pale venation.

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

Charles Jacques Édouard Morren first described Maranta leuconeura in 1874 in Annales de l’Horticulture Belge et Étrangère, volume 24, page 323.