About
Small, tubular white to purple flowers may appear in summer but unusual if grown as a houseplant and not particularly significant compared to the foliage. Known as the prayer plant, as it folds its leaves at night. It is a variable, rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial. It has elliptic to ovate shaped, dark green leaves with silver lines from the midrib to the margin, and deep purple or grey-green undersides.
About the genus
Maranta are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with blunt, broadly elliptic leaves often attractively marked or veined in contrasting colours; insignificant small white flowers are borne in racemes just above the foliage
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free compost. Bright filtered or indirect light is best. Maintain high humidity at all times by misting or keeping in a gravel tray. Water moderately, and feed monthly. Watering can be reduced in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by basal cuttings, divisio or seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free