The Maranta are probably better known to most indoor gardeners by their German name Pfeilwurz. There are different species of the genus, all of which are characterized by boldly marked leaves in bright colors. The species Maranta leuconeura in particular is an enchanting and easy-care foliage plant. The variety, also known as basket marante, has pretty, light and dark green patterned leaves.
How do I properly care for a Maranta plant?
The Maranta, also known as Arrowroot or Basket Maranta, is an easy-care, tropical houseplant with strikingly marked leaves. It prefers partially shaded locations, high humidity and temperatures between 23-25°C. Use low-lime water for watering and fertilization every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Origin and Use
The arrowroot or basket marant - which is sometimes also sold as colorful arrowroot - belongs to the arrowroot family (bot. Marantaceae) along with around 40 other species. The plants grow in the tropical to subtropical rainforests of Central and South America. The basket marante, for example, comes from northern Brazil and can only be cultivated as a houseplant due to its need for warmth. The decorative foliage plant is only allowed to go out into the fresh air during the summer months if the weather is right and feels very comfortable there on the balcony or terrace.
Appearance and growth
The evergreen perennial grows upright, herbaceous and forms a dense clump. The long-stemmed, large and strikingly marked leaves of the Maranta sprout directly from the tuberous roots and hang slightly over. The basket marante is well suited for window sills as it only grows to a height of between 20 and a maximum of 30 centimeters.
leaves
The oval to egg-shaped leaves of the basket marante are quite large, averaging ten to 15 centimeters. They are arranged alternately on the long stems and are strikingly patterned with brownish to light green spots. The leaf veins, in turn, have a red to pink color. Young leaves typically initially grow upright, curled up, before they finally unfold.
Flowers and flowering time
With a bit of luck, the tiny white flowers of the basket marante appear between April and May. Compared to the leaves, however, these are quite inconspicuous and only appear rarely and only on older specimens.
Fruits
Maranta species develop small capsule fruits after flowering, which, however, only appear very rarely in our latitudes. This requires fertilization by insects, which, however, rarely occurs in living room culture.
Toxicity
The basket marant - like other arrowroot species - is neither poisonous to humans nor animals.
Which location is suitable?
It is not that easy to find the right location for the Maranta, as the tropical plant requires conditions comparable to those in its natural location to thrive he althily as a houseplant. The perfect spot is partially shaded, neither dark nor directly sunny. A lack of light leads to stunted growth, while an excess of sunlight causes the beautiful leaf patterns to fade.
In terms of temperatures, the basket marante feels most comfortable at a warm 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, which should also prevail almost all year round. It can only be a little cooler in winter, but here too the degrees should not fall below the 18 degree mark. The plant must also be protected from cold soil and drafts. On the other hand, the humidity should be at least 60 percent all year round, which is why it is best to cultivate the basket marante in a bright bathroom or in a heated winter garden - this is where the required conditions are most likely to be achieved.
Substrate
When it comes to planting soil, the Maranta is not quite as demanding as it is when it comes to location. Plant the plant in a good humus-based potting soil - the higher the humus content the better - and mix it with expanded clay or perlite for better permeability. Alternatively, you can also use palm or pot plant soil mixed with some rhododendron soil, as long as it does not contain peat. Marants generally prefer substrates with a slightly acidic pH value and a high nutrient content.
Planting and repotting
Since the basket marant is a shallow-rooted plant, it is best to plant it in a shallow container. This definitely needs good drainage so that excess irrigation water can drain away and waterlogging does not occur in the first place. Special plant pots with an integrated irrigation system are best. These make it difficult to overwater, as the plants only take as much water as they need. Hydroponics, on the other hand, is tricky: only young plants that are grown in one from the start are suitable for it. However, older plants should not be converted from soil to hydroculture.
Maranta do not need to be repotted annually. Only when the substrate has strong roots is it transferred to a slightly larger pot. Remove as much of the old soil as possible to take a closer look at the roots. Be sure to cut away dried or rotten roots before replanting.
Pouring Maranta
When it comes to watering, basket marants are quite demanding because the root ball should be kept as evenly moist as possible. The plant cannot tolerate frequent dryness or frequent wetness. However, occasional drying is tolerated. If the leaves of the Maranta roll up to the side, this is a clear sign of a dried out root ball and should be urgently removed with the help of a watering can.
When watering, only use water that is at room temperature and has a low lime content - such as well-stale or filtered tap water or collected rainwater - and supply the plant with plenty of water between April and October. Between November and March, however, you can water more sparingly.
Since the basket marante requires high humidity all year round, you should either spray it daily with lime-free water or set up an indoor fountain. Alternatively, a shallow bowl filled with water also helps. Replace the liquid in it regularly to prevent algae from forming.
Fertilize Maranta properly
In the main growing season between April and October, supply the Maranta with a liquid fertilizer for green or house plants every four to six weeks (€13.00 on Amazon). You administer this together with the irrigation water, although you can alternatively use a long-term fertilizer in the form of fertilizer sticks, for example. The arrowroot only does not need to be fertilized after repotting - just like during the winter months between November and March.
Cut Maranta correctly
Pruning is not absolutely necessary, but you can shorten the plant, which generally tolerates pruning, by up to two thirds of its mass if necessary. It will then sprout again. This measure is necessary, for example, to remove old, unsightly, discolored and / or dried leaves. A clean and sharp pair of scissors is sufficient for this.
Propagate Maranta
In spring to early summer you can propagate the Maranta through head cuttings. To ensure rooting is successful, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Cut strong head cuttings about ten to 15 centimeters long.
- Separate it from the mother plant directly below a leaf node.
- The new roots will sprout here later, so the leaf node must be in the ground.
- Remove the leaves at the bottom.
- Fill a planter with potting soil.
- Plant the cuttings there.
- Wet the substrate well.
- Put a translucent, cut-off PET bottle over the plant.
- Alternatively, you can also use a plastic bag.
- However, its walls must not touch the plant.
- Place the container in a bright, but not directly sunny location.
- Keep the soil slightly moist.
- Air out for at least one hour every day.
The small Maranta root within five to six weeks and can then be moved to a suitable substrate and, if necessary, a larger container.
Wintering
Even during the long, dark winter months, the Maranta needs temperatures of at least 20 degrees Celsius. Under no circumstances should the degrees fall below 15 degrees Celsius. Now water significantly less, but do not let the plant dry out. Only from March onwards is watering gradually increased again. Fertilization can also be avoided in winter. Provide the plant with nutrients regularly as soon as it shows the first new shoots in spring.
Diseases and pests
Anyone who places such high demands on its location and care, like the wicker marant, quickly shows when something doesn't suit him:
- curled leaves, often with brown leaves, indicate a location that is too cold and/or too dark
- Stained leaves occur when the irrigation water contains lime - this accumulates in the leaves
- In a location that is too sunny, however, the foliage bleaches quickly
Pests such as spider mites or thrips, on the other hand, mainly occur when the air humidity is too low. If you increase this, the pests often disappear on their own. As a first aid measure, first shower the basket marante thoroughly.
Tip
The arrowroot flour that is familiar to some amateur cooks is not obtained from the basket marante (Marante leuconeura), but from the related species Maranta arundinacea. So you don't need to dry the roots of your basket marante and grind them finely into flour to conjure up fine sauces.
Species and varieties
In addition to the species Marante leuconeura, which is primarily cultivated as a houseplant, four different cultivars are available commercially.
- 'Erythroneura': elongated leaves that are colored emerald green and have a pretty pattern of white and dark green spots. The underside of the leaf is colored purple, as are the leaf veins
- 'Fascinator': probably the most commonly cultivated variety as a houseplant with strong green, darker spotted leaves, light green midrib and reddish leaf veins
- 'Kerchoviana': beautiful variety with emerald green leaves that have numerous dark green and dark brown spots to the left and right of the midrib. Underside of leaf blue-green with red spots
- 'Massangeana': pretty, small leaves with a spotted, olive-green color and with lighter-toned leaf edges, the midrib is also lighter, the underside of the leaf is dark purple-red
The species Maranta cristata can also be cultivated as a houseplant, but is much less common. It is also known as the two-tone Marante and has so far only been known to enthusiasts.
