Maranta - home care, signs and superstitions, types and propagation

Maranta, a flowering plant with striking ornamental leaves that appear patterned, has become particularly popular in floriculture. Originating in the West Indies and the tropics of South and Central America, the flower was named after the physician and botanist B. Maranta.

This exotic flower is suitable for any space thanks to its compact size. Growing this Marantaceae plant indoors can sometimes be challenging for beginners, but with simple care instructions, it will delight you with its vibrant green leaves all year round.

Characteristics of Maranta and Plant Types

This houseplant is characterized by tuberous roots and elliptical leaves that grow on stems. The leaf color is unique and beautiful: depending on the variety, it can range from white to deep green. Stripes and veins are clearly visible against the background color. The outer surface of the leaf blade is brighter and more saturated in color than the inner surface, which is especially noticeable when the plant lifts and curls its leaves in the evening. This characteristic has earned the maranta the nickname "prayer flower."

Maranta rarely blooms, even with careful care, and the small inflorescences that appear have little ornamental value. The inflorescences are spike-shaped and asymmetrical, light yellow or white in color. The plant's fruits are contained in a single-seeded capsule. The plant reaches a height of 30-40 cm, making it suitable for growing in a small space, while wild maranta can reach 1 m in height.

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Two of them are most commonly grown indoors: Tricolor and Bicolor. These species are often confused with each other, but their color differences are obvious upon closer inspection of the photos. There are about 25 species in the Marantaceae genus, but a few are particularly popular:

1. A distinctive feature of the Tricolor variety are its large, oval-shaped leaves, which can reach 15 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The outer surface of the leaves has an unusual coloring: feather-like stripes are located around the light pink central vein. Their color varies from light to dark green. The underside of the leaf blade can be pink or purple. The stems reach 30 cm in height, with yellow or white flowers emerging from their apex.

   

2. The bicolor maranta has similar characteristics, but differs in leaf coloring and is less common than the tricolor variety. This variety is distinguished by its lack of root development. The leaf pattern on the underside is reddish, while the upper side is dark green.

   

3. Maranta spp. is another popular gardening species, characterized by oval leaves with a silver stripe down the center and rich green outer edges. The plant grows to a standard height of 30 cm. It is one of the most undemanding and beautiful varieties.

   

4. Maranta kerchoveiana is an unusual species, distinguished by its rich green leaves with very dark, small spots located around the midrib. This plant is typically slightly shorter than the species described above and rarely grows taller than 25 cm.

   

5. Maranta Massangeana (Black Maranta) is a flower distinguished from all other species by its darker leaf blades with a thin silver stripe in the center. This variety of Maranta is very demanding and is rarely grown indoors.

   

Caring for the Maranta Plant at Home

Although some varieties of Maranta are quite demanding, caring for varieties like Bicolor and Tricolor is straightforward, even for beginners. The main care requirement is to create conditions as close to natural as possible:

• constant high air humidity;
• average air temperature;
• shaded place without direct sunlight;
• long daylight hours.

The main challenge when growing jasmine is maintaining moist soil while preventing it from becoming waterlogged. To prevent water from stagnating in the soil, you can use a simple trick that will create greenhouse-like conditions for the plant.

Before spraying, place the pot in a plastic bag, tie it tightly so that the leaves are not obscured, and then begin spraying. Then, remove the pot and place it on a tray filled with damp expanded clay – this will ensure nearly 100% humidity.

Liquid organic fertilizers are preferred, as they are more easily absorbed by plants. Fertilizers for ornamental foliage crops are best.

Some difficulties that arise when growing arrowroot and ways to solve them:

1. Brown and darkened leaf tips indicate excessively dry air and soil, or poor water quality. Use filtered, room-temperature water for watering.
2. Yellow or brown leaf tips indicate a vitamin deficiency or too much vitamins. If you're using nutritious soil, don't overfeed.
3. Pale leaves - intense lighting is harmful to this houseplant.

Lighting

Although the plant should be kept in partial shade, it will die if left without sunlight for a long time. It's best to place the pot in a location with diffused and not too bright sunlight: north-facing windows are ideal. You can place the plant on the windowsill of an east- or west-facing window, but in these cases, it will need some shade.

During the warmer months, maranta can be moved outdoors, whether to the garden or balcony. You can tell if the plant is suffering from too much light by its leaves: if they quickly lose their rich green color and become almost white, the plant needs to be moved into the shade. If the leaves curl and the pattern becomes blurred, the maranta isn't getting enough light. Daylight hours should be 14-16 hours. In winter, you can maintain a normal daytime schedule for maranta with fluorescent lamps.

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Temperature and humidity

To ensure normal flower development indoors, it's important to maintain a moderate room temperature, both in winter and summer. Avoid temperature fluctuations, extreme cold, or extreme heat.

The room where the maranta grows should have high humidity, which can be achieved by regularly misting the plant with filtered water. Spraying should be frequent but moderate. In summer, the plant should be misted at least twice. In hot weather, the maranta can be placed near an additional moisture source, such as an aquarium or fountain. During the summer rainy season, the plant grows well outdoors in the shade.

Watering and fertilizing

The soil in which the plant grows should be constantly moist. However, there should be no standing water. Check the soil moisture with a wooden skewer (the soil should dry out to a depth of 2 cm). You can water the plant every 3-4 days in the summer. In winter, watering should be reduced, moistening the soil no more than once a week. Use soft, filtered water, which should be warm to avoid chilling the roots.

Watering should be accompanied by fertilizing. Starting in spring, add a weak mineral fertilizer to the soil, diluting it with twice the amount of liquid indicated on the fertilizer package. Fertilize twice a month in spring and summer. You can also fertilize the plant in the fall, but no more than once a month. If the arrowroot has dropped its leaves, there's too much fertilizer in the soil.

Care during the flowering period

Maranta rarely blooms indoors, and the blooming period is very short. During this short period, the plant becomes severely weakened, so many experienced gardeners cut off the flower stalks immediately after they appear. If you decide to keep the flower, you should care for it according to standard guidelines: a shaded location, high humidity, and regular watering. Fertilizing the soil is not necessary, especially if the soil is already rich in nutrients.

Diseases and pests

Plants grown in unsuitable conditions are susceptible to diseases and pests. Maranta is susceptible to the following insects and diseases:

1. Spider mites. They appear when indoor air is very dry and temperatures are high. To get rid of them, increase humidity to normal levels and remember to water the plant. It's best to repot the infested plant in new soil and treat it with acaricides and insectoacaricides.

   

2. Mealybugs. These insects can be eliminated by washing the plant with a soapy solution, followed by three insecticide treatments, spaced 10 days apart. Mealybug prevention includes maintaining normal soil moisture, avoiding drafts, and planting the plant in sterile soil.
3. Chlorosis. The plant develops chlorosis due to iron deficiency, causing leaves and shoots to dry out and fall off. This condition can be prevented by periodically watering with acidified water (a few grains of citric acid dissolved in water).

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Propagation and transplantation of the maranta flower

There are two ways to propagate maranta: by cuttings and by dividing the plant. Both methods should be used in the spring:

1. When propagating by cuttings, ensure each shoot has 1-2 leaves and is at least 10 cm long. Place the cuttings in water; they will root in 10-14 days. While in water, mist them regularly and keep them in a warm place. Covering them with plastic is optional.

   

   The cuttings need to be rooted in nutritious soil and watered. While they're developing in the new soil, avoid placing them in direct sunlight; they require a shady spot. Once the cuttings have grown, they can be transplanted into individual pots and cared for as with adult plants.

2. Dividing a bush is a gentler method. Before dividing, ensure that both parts to be divided have a root system and a growing point. Then, remove the plant from the soil and use sharp scissors to divide the bush into two equal parts. Treat the cut areas near the roots with crushed charcoal to prevent root rot.

   

   The divided sections should be replanted in individual pots filled with nutritious maranta soil and watered with warm water. Cover the pot with a plastic bag and leave it there until the new leaves emerge. Follow standard plant care.

Before repotting, trim away any diseased or old leaves and stems to encourage new growth. The new pot should be a couple of centimeters larger and wider than the previous one and have drainage holes. You can purchase potting soil for your houseplant at a store or make your own by mixing the following ingredients in a 2:1:2:1 ratio:

• turf soil;
• humus;
• peat;
• wood ash.

You can also add sphagnum moss to the soil, which acts as a soil preservative and helps retain moisture. The soil should be free of lime, as it can kill the plant. The soil should be light, loose, and well-drained. Mix all ingredients until smooth in a separate container.

Remove the plant from the old pot along with the soil, then completely clean it off the root system. Add 2-3 cm of drainage material and some crushed polystyrene foam to the bottom of the new pot. Then, pour the soil into the pot, lightly compacting it with your hand. When there's about 4-5 cm of space left from the top of the pot, place the plant in the soil and cover the roots with the remaining soil. Water the plant with room-temperature water containing vitamins.

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Signs and superstitions about houseplants

Maranta is not only a beautiful decoration for any home but also a true talisman that attracts prosperity and happiness. According to superstitions, the plant promotes financial well-being for its owners, so the best place to plant it is an office or workspace. It is believed that if buds appear on the plant, the owner will soon receive a large sum of money. Buds on the plant can also indicate the imminent birth of a child. Since maranta rarely blooms, such omens are often considered true.

The flower is often placed in living rooms: the maranta acts as a guardian of the hearth, helps avoid conflicts within the family, and strengthens marital relationships. It can be useful to place the flower in the room of a child who often has problems with sleep and learning. A flower placed in a child's room normalizes sleep patterns, promotes concentration, and improves the psychological environment.

In such cases, it's best to place the flower at the head of the bed. Most beliefs about the maranta are positive, but there is one negative superstition: the death of the flower can mean misfortune will soon strike the family. However, given the flower's low maintenance and relatively easy care, the plant will survive with proper care.

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Frequently asked questions about growing flowers

Maranta care is quite simple: it's disease-resistant and easily tolerates low light. As long as you follow the key rule—maintaining moist air and soil—the flower will grow healthy and strong. With one mature maranta in your home greenhouse, you can get several more young flowers by following simple propagation tips.