Maranta
Prayer plant
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.3m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A popular houseplant, valued for its forgiving nature and patterned foliage. The rounded green leaves have a veined effect and red, purple or yellow markings. Its charming leaves close up at night as if in prayer, opening again the next day. Growing to a height/spread of 45cm, it's ideal for a table or worktop where you can watch its daily ritual of opening and closing leaves.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.3m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 13C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Keep moist, but not standing in water
Keep moist at all times. Water more sparingly in winter, keep the compost just moist.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Soak completely when watering
Water until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Leave for 30 minutes or so until the compost is fully moist, then pour away the excess water so the plant pot is not standing in water. (This avoids waterlogging which can cause "root rot".)
Planting & general
Indoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
13C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 13 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.