PLNTversePLNTverse
Plants › Colourful foliage

prayerplant (Maranta leuconeura)

Maranta leuconeura is an evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous herbaceous foliage plant that forms clumps and spreads horizontally.

LightBright indirect or filtered light is best, though the plant can also grow in partial shade to shade; strong direct sunlight should be avoided.
WaterKeep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged during the growing season; reduce watering in winter and allow the medium to become somewhat drier.
HumidityMaranta leuconeura prefers high humidity.
TemperatureFew sources report temperature figures: the minimum is reported at about 15 °C, the ideal range at about 21–27 °C, and the maximum at about 27 °C. Sources differ in their hardiness classifications. It is generally frost
Track your prayerplant in the PLNTverse app
prayerplant illustration

Overview

Maranta leuconeura is an evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous herbaceous foliage plant that forms clumps and spreads horizontally.

Origin and habitat

Maranta leuconeura is native to Brazil; sources differ on the more detailed distribution, with accounts placing it in the Atlantic forests of eastern Brazil and in central Brazil. It is reported to grow on tropical forest floors in Brazil, spreading horizontally and rooting into the substrate at leaf nodes. Its native climate is warm, humid, and tropical.

Characteristics

Sources differ, but the few reported figures place mature height at about 10–50 cm and mature spread at about 10–50 cm. Sources differ in their descriptions of the leaves: they are elliptical to ovate with entire margins, often densely clustered with conspicuous markings or veins, while undersides may range from gray-green or pale green to purple-green or dark red; leaves lie flatter by day and rise or fold at night, and 'Lemon Lime' is specifically described as having bright green veins. The small tubular flowers range from white to purple or pale pink, are less commonly seen indoors, and generally have less ornamental value than the foliage. Flowering can occur during the growing season, with one account particularly noting summer.

Light

Bright indirect or filtered light is best, though the plant can also grow in partial shade to shade; strong direct sunlight should be avoided.

Watering

Keep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged during the growing season; reduce watering in winter and allow the medium to become somewhat drier.

Humidity and airflow

Maranta leuconeura prefers high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

Few sources report temperature figures: the minimum is reported at about 15 °C, the ideal range at about 21–27 °C, and the maximum at about 27 °C. Sources differ in their hardiness classifications. It is generally frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

Sources differ in their descriptions of suitable media, but they include well-drained, humus-rich media and a range of soil textures and reactions from acidic through neutral to alkaline.

Feeding

Fertilize during the growing season and reduce feeding during the rest of the year.

Propagation

Maranta leuconeura can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seed, including rhizome division or basal cuttings.

Common problems

It is reported to be susceptible to greenhouse red spider mites and mealybugs. It is generally described as having few diseases, although sources differ in their accounts; sugarcane mosaic virus infection has been recorded, and the fungus Bipolaris marantae has been found on plants in Brazil. Direct or excessive sunlight can bleach foliage and damage leaves, while low humidity or prolonged dryness can damage foliage; excessive fertilizer and high fluoride may also cause leaf burn, and waterlogging should be avoided. It is sensitive to frost and low temperatures and should not be allowed to freeze; in hot conditions it requires higher humidity.

Identification

Its most conspicuous features are the contrasting leaf markings and the daily change in leaf posture: the leaves spread flatter during the day and fold upward at night into a posture resembling praying hands.

Photos

Maranta leuconeura
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Sources