Maranta leuconeura
Native to the tropical rainforests of South America, especially Brazil, it belongs to the Marantaceae family.
Also known as the “Prayer Plant,” it spreads its leaves during the day to absorb light and regulate humidity, and folds them at night. The leaves look painted and have a spectacular color contrast, giving it a distinctive retro charm! It is a very hardy, lively, and easy-to-care-for plant. As it grows, its stems extend and it takes on a trailing habit.
Difficulty
Easy
Toxicity
Toxic
Light
Bright indirect light
Watering
Moderate
Light
It tolerates a wide range of indirect light, but it’s ideal to adapt to its needs so it can grow at a good pace, strong and healthy.
Maranta prefers places with medium to bright indirect light. This means locations near a well-lit window with a clear view of the sky, but never receiving direct sunlight.
It also tolerates low light (low indirect light), but it will grow more slowly, the color of its leaves will vary, and they will be smaller in size.
Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn its leaves.
Watering
Moderate, without waterlogging the substrate! It should remain moist.
Let the soil of the Monstera deliciosa dry out between waterings. When you see the leaves becoming thinner, less firm, and the petioles drooping, it indicates that it is thirsty.
Remove any excess water left in the saucer of the pot.
Tip: Check the soil instead of having a set day of the week for watering, as several factors affect the rate at which the substrate dries. You can insert a pencil and remove it after a few seconds; if it comes out dry and without soil sticking to it, it's time to water.
Humidity
Medium-high.
Like all tropical plants, Maranta loves and needs ambient humidity.
Its leaves are thin, so dryness in the environment will cause the edges to dry out and crisp up, or the edges of the leaves may start to curl.
It’s ideal to mist its leaves often, especially during hot months, if the environment is dry, or if the heating or air conditioning is on (as they dry out the surroundings).
If the Maranta continues to deteriorate, add a saucer at the base of the pot with clay pebbles or volcanic rock and water, without touching the base of the pot. Additionally, don’t hesitate to group it with other plants; they will cooperate and share the humidity they generate.
If this is insufficient, use a humidifier.
Repotting
Repot the Maranta when the roots no longer have space inside the pot and start peeking through the drainage holes. If you are unsure, take the plant out of the pot and check.
Get a slightly snug pot, 1 or at most 2 sizes larger than the previous one, preferably made of terracotta (although this is a matter of preference) and with drainage holes.
Tip: If the lower or older leaves turn completely yellow and wither, one possible cause is a lack of space in the pot. Don't rush to repot; snug pots suit it well! lower or older leaves turn completely yellow and wither, a possible cause is lack of space in the pot.