Maranta Leuconeura/tricolor

Class

Monocotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Marantaceae

Order

Zingiberales

Genus

Maranta

Species

leuconeura

Description

Maranta leuconera or Tricolor is one of the few climbing or sarmentose marigolds.
A rhizomatous perennial plant, it has persistent decorative foliage that changes in intensity depending on the position in which it is kept indoors; with little or no light the variegation almost disappears.
It prefers a temperate and preferably humid climate. It is not afraid of environmental changes but does not tolerate draughts.
It can also be grown on mossy supports, which must be kept moist, or even in water as a hydroponic culture.

Curiosities and special features

The botanical genus Maranta was dedicated by Linnaeus to the 16th century Italian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranta.

Like the species Calathea orbifolia, it belongs to the botanical family of the Marantaceae known as 'Prayer Plants' for the ability of their leaves to move in relation to the direction of light, opening during the day and folding upwards at night as if to recall a gesture of the hands gathering during a prayer; this phenomenon is called noctynasty.

Origin and distribution

A species native to east-central Brazil where it grows as a small shrub in the humid tropical biome.

Leaf

It is the evergreen leaves with oblong lamina that give Maranta leuconeura its ornamental value.

Leaf colour

multicoloured, varying according to variety. Often the upper page appears dark green with silvery streaks from the midrib to the margin, while the lower page is deep purple or green-grey.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.6 m, ideal for indoor pots and tubs.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

Due to its size and the decorative effect given by its leaves, it is suitable as a plant for vertical walls, indoor tubs in relation to its climatic requirements.

It can also be grown leaning against mossy supports that must be kept moist.

Stem

It has a herbaceous stem; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a tubular corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in small, compound spike inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to summer, with a flowering period of between 40 and 60 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Plant with indeterminate growth.

Plant habit

It develops a climbing habit, and can in fact also be grown using mossy supports, taking care to keep them moist.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic substrate pH, with optimum values between 5.0 and 5.8. Attention should also be paid to the acidity level of the irrigation water, which should not alter the indicated values.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half-shade, light shade; during the hottest hours, place it out of direct sunlight, which can lead to irreversible leaf curling.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a temperate and humid climate. The ideal temperature is between 20 and 28 °C The vital temperature is between 12 and 38 °C. It is recommended to place it away from draughts.

Use

Popular for its colourful foliage in:
Indoor ornamental

Hardiness

A plant of medium to high hardiness if the correct cultivation conditions are guaranteed.

Soil

Use a high-quality substrate, specifically for potted green plants, that promotes proper drainage of excess water to prevent harmful water stagnation.

Difficulty

Cultivation of Maranta leuconeura is fairly easy, care must be taken to ensure correct exposure as well as ideal growing temperatures.

Growing tips

Here are some specific cultivation tips to achieve the best vegetative development of your Maranta specimen:
Avoid over-watering Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers slightly calcareous water Shelter the plant indoors with temperatures below 12°C in good light conditions

Propagation

Vegetative reproduction is by apical cuttings and node cuttings.

Watering

Apply non-cold, low salinity water directly to the substrate, keeping it moist but not saturated with water.

Prevent water stress leading to yellowing of the leaves and crumpling.

It is advisable not to use lime water, also do not water the aerial part of the plant from above, especially during the evening hours to prevent the spread of phytopathologies.

Fertilising

It requires little fertiliser and fears over-fertilisation, especially in connection with water stress. During the spring-summer period, apply a balanced fertiliser specifically for green pot plants to the moist substrate and dilute in the irrigation water. In cold temperatures, stop fertilising.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Absolutely avoid water stress or severe drying out which causes the leaves to curl up. Do not place in full sun and avoid exposing the plant to draughts. Do not fertilise if kept at low temperatures; needs little fertiliser in general.