Maranta leuconeura
prayer plant
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. 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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Under 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
Propagation
propagate by basal cuttings, divisio or seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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