About
Clump-forming, tropical rainforest perennial, grown as a houseplant, to 30cm tall and wide, with elliptic to ovate dark green leaves, 12cm long, with bright red veins that fan from the midribs to the margins, and yellow-green markings along the midrib. Small tubular white flowers are produced intermittently through the year.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a container in peat-free potting compost, in a well-lit position that does not get direct sunlight. Water to keep the compost damp but not wet during the summer months, then cut back a little in winter. They thrive in high humidity, so either grow it in a steamy room, group with other plants, or sit the pot on a tray of dampened shingle. See houseplant cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or by basal softwood cuttings with bottom heat in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, roots may rot if plant is overwatered