Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana
prayer plant
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
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Brown Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Brown Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Brown Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical 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
- Plant range
- Brazil
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow 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
Propagation
Propagate by seed, division or take basal cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.