Marantas. Oh dear!

If you’re a laidback gardener like me, there are certain houseplants that will never cross your threshold. They’re too temperamental, sickly, or fussy. On my “Oh no!” list are crotons (Codiaeum sp.), peace lilies (Spathiphyllum sp.), Boston ferns (Nephrolepis sp.), and certain peperomias (Peperomia sp.). However, given the growing popularity of marantas (Maranta spp.) and calatheas, also known as prayer plants, I must admit that they have the potential to end up on my “naughty” list, too. I’ve lost count of how many people have told me about their failed attempts to grow marantas.

The thing is, I’ve never actually killed a Maranta plant. Therefore, I can’t confirm that they’re too difficult to care for given my limited abilities. Therefore, I’m proposing a little challenge this week: the Maranta Challenge! I plan to welcome this plant, despite its bad reputation, into my home. I’m going to put several of them in different spots around the house, hoping to unlock the secrets of successfully cultivating marantas.

This is where I reveal the process I go through when I discover a new plant and decide to invite it into my home.

Who Are You, Little One?

The first step is to learn more about this plant in its natural habitat. Is it a large genus? How many species are there? Which species are the origin of the ornamental cultivars? Most importantly, what does the plant’s natural habitat look like? This last piece of information is crucial because it’s a good indicator of the conditions needed to make the plant thrive indoors. Studying the plant in its natural environment also helps us determine whether the plant enters dormancy and the conditions under which this occurs.

Marantas are a rather populous genus with 54 recognized species. Interestingly, Maranta is the type species of its botanical family, Marantaceae. Most marantas grow in tropical rainforests. They thrive at the base of large trees. First described by Linnaeus in 1753, marantas are distributed between Mexico and Central South America. Several species were discovered during the Victorian era (1860–1889), notably by the German botanist Friedrich August Körnicke. The discovery of this genus continued in the 1980s with the significant contributions of Lennart Andersson, a Swedish botanist. To this day, new species of maranta continue to be discovered. Thus, even though we have known about this plant for a long time, it has not yet revealed all its secrets! 

Maranta leuconeura , at the Origin of Everything!

Next, it’s important to determine the specific origins of the varieties offered on the market. This step is often the most difficult because many breeders like to keep their formulas secret. In the 19th century, Maranta arundinacea, the source of arrowroot starch, received high praise. However, the ornamental qualities of the newly discovered Maranta leuconeura, first described in 1874, were also occasionally mentioned. This enthusiasm likely prompted horticulturists to hybridize it.

Finally, the Classic Search

After researching the species’ origins, I proceeded with good old-fashioned research, consulting books and the Internet for cultivation tips. Armed with my newfound knowledge, I can more easily draw parallels between its natural environment and indoor cultivation. Suddenly, the best advice makes sense, and it’s easy to separate the wheat from the chaff. After all, not all websites about plants provide accurate information.

Here are the conclusions I drew from my research:

Ideal Light for Marantas

Since the maranta is a shade-loving plant in its natural habitat, we can deduce that it will not thrive in direct sunlight. Therefore, it will benefit from good light from a north- or east-facing window.

Ideal Temperature for Marantas

In terms of temperature, we’re talking about very hot and humid environments. The optimal temperature for growing marantas is between 18 and 21°C, but they will still thrive if the temperature rises to almost 30°C! This information tells me that my small guest room, which I keep cool, is not suitable for the maranta. It will be happier in the living room, where it is warmer.

Optimal Humidity for Marantas

Ultimately, this is the crux of the matter. Marantas thrive in environments with very high humidity. Unfortunately, achieving high humidity isn’t always ideal in a northern climate. Worse yet, the warmer it is, the more humid it needs to be.

You can mitigate this condition by placing the maranta on a small bed of damp gravel. I’m even considering a small, closed terrarium, which could be an interesting way to achieve high humidity without compromising the conditions in my home.

This combination of heat and humidity indicates that marantas are sensitive to drafts. Therefore, it should be placed away from doors in the winter.

If the air is too dry, the maranta will quickly let you know by drying out the edges of its leaves.

Perfect Watering for Marantas

Because marantas prefer tropical warmth, it’s recommended to water them with room-temperature water. Water them regularly, but not excessively. This means allowing the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again.

The Right Substrate for Marantas

Since this plant thrives in forest environments, we can deduce that the ideal substrate is one that drains well and is slightly enriched with organic matter. Adding perlite and vermicompost to a potting mix for tropical plants seems like it would be effective. Additionally, we can assume that marantas have shallow root systems. There is no other option when competing with large trees. Therefore, marantas will thrive in low pots, similar to azaleas.

Armed with this knowledge, I am going to buy lots of marantas. I hope that by this time next year, I will be able to share my successes and failures with you regarding this plant, which has a very bad reputation.