Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime'

Lemon Lime and its natural origin

'Lemon Lime' belongs to Maranta leuconeura. The species occurs naturally in humid forests in the central and eastern parts of Brazil.

Lemon Lime care

• Light: A bright position with indirect or filtered light suits 'Lemon Lime'.
• Watering: Keep the root ball evenly moist while fresh leaves are growing. Water when the surface begins to dry and let the pot drain completely.
• Humidity: Keep the air humid around the leaves and maintain steady room conditions.
• Temperature: Keep it above about 15 °C and away from sudden temperature changes.
• Potting mix: Use a peat-free houseplant mix that stays evenly moist and drains freely.
• Water quality: Rainwater is suitable where the local tap supply is high in fluoride.
• Feeding: When new leaves are growing, give a light dose of balanced houseplant fertiliser and follow the label.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when roots fill the pot or the mix compacts. If you want to propagate it, divide an established clump so each piece has roots.

When Lemon Lime needs attention

• Tips keep turning brown despite steady watering: Check the amount of fertiliser being used and whether the tap water is high in fluoride. Flush the mix, stop feeding for now and use rainwater if needed.
• Very fine pale speckles or webbing become visible: Check for spider mites. Move the plant away from others and rinse the leaves well. If treatment is needed, use a product labelled for spider mites and repeat it according to the label.
• Leaves curl and the edges dry: The root ball may be too dry, humidity may be low, or cold air may be reaching the plant. Water if the root ball is dry, increase humidity and keep the plant warm.
• Leaves look washed out after direct sun: Move the plant to bright filtered light. The damaged areas will stay visible, so check new leaves for healthy colour.
• Yellowing spreads while the pot stays wet and roots soften: Check for root rot. Cut away rotten roots to firm healthy tissue with a clean disinfected tool, discard the rot, then repot the plant in fresh free-draining mix.

Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’ 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.

Maranta leuconeura: where the name comes 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.