About
An evergreen perennial to 30cm in height, forming a clump of broad, oval mid-green leaves with grey-green markings and conspicuous brown blotches either side of the midrib. Flowers white, insignificant.
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
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHerbaceous borders, cottage gardens, cutting.
Native toBrazil
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in well-drained soil in partial or deep shade in a sheltered, frost-free area. Grow under glass in peat-free compost in bright filtered light in half-pots or pans to accommodate their shallow root system. Provide high humidity
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, division or take basal cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free