Maranta - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Mostly grown in gardens for the handsomely patterned foliage. Calathea prefers moist, shady, jungle-like conditions in a garden and is also often grown as potted specimens. When it is used as a house plant, the leaves should be sprayed with water several times a week. Propagation is by root division. Water with soft water. Keep uniform high humidity and temperature. Look best when grouped with other foliage plants. Can be used in a bottle garden or terrarium. This plant requires very specific growing conditions in order to thrive. Place in a warm, shady position i.e. one that never receives direct or indirect sun. Feed with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during Spring and Summer and once a month during Autumn and Winter. Stand on a tray filled with water and pebbles to increase humidity. Water plentifully. Never allow to dry out - keep the potting mixture moist at all times. Repot every Spring using a mix of two thirds potting mixture and one third leaf mould or peat. Once the plant has been potted on to a fifteen centimetre pot , it is only necessary to replace the top layer of soil.

See Article - How to grow Calathea indoors.

Maranta leuconeura is a small tropical plant with broad oval leaves, up to 8 inches long by half as wide. The leaves fold upwards at night, hence the common name. Maranta leuconeura need full shade and warm temperatures. Water regularly; do not overwater.

This plant has been called Wheat Calathea for its inflorescence, which is reminiscent of Wheat and carries small purple flowers.

Pleiostachya pruinosa is a shade-loving tropical plant from Central and South America, recognized for its upright growth and powdery, bluish-green foliage with a silvery sheen. It prefers warm, humid conditions, rich moist soil, and protection from direct sun. Ideal for USDA Zone 11 or as an ornamental foliage plant in indoor or greenhouse settings.

In USDA zones below 11, grow as a houseplant or seasonal container specimen.

Calathea burle-marxii (Ice Blue Calathea) is an attractive small shrub, native to Brazil, that can reach up to 2-5 feet in height. It boasts an array of ornamental foliage in silver and blue hues, as well as white, off-white, blue, lavender and purple flowers.

This plant requires regular watering and should never be allowed to dry out between waterings. It performs best in shade or semi-shade, and will appreciate some kind of humidity system if kept in dry indoor conditions. Fertilize regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer to keep your Calathea looking its best.

In USDA zones below 10, grow as a houseplant or seasonal container specimen. If you do need to overwinter your Calathea, make sure the pot it is in has good drainage and that you place it in a warm, lightly shaded area. Make sure not to overwater it during this time, as this could lead to root rot. Move the plant back outside during spring and summer.

The unusual inflorescences are upright, shaped like a rattlesnake's rattle, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, and consist of stacked leathery floral bracts with small, yellow or yellow-orange flowers peeking out at the edges. The relatively inconspicuous actual flowers are tubular and have 3 unequal lobes. In USDA zones below 10, grow as a houseplant or seasonal container specimen.

Calathea lietzei is a compact tropical plant known for its striking patterned foliage. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and prefers warm, humid conditions with partial shade. The soil should be consistently moist but well-drained, and regular watering is essential for healthy growth.

This plant can be grown outdoors year-round only in USDA Zone 11, where temperatures stay above 50F.

In cooler zones, Calathea lietzei should be grown in a container. Place the pot in bright, indirect light, sheltered from wind, and bring it indoors before temperatures drop. With the right care, Calathea lietzei makes a beautiful addition to indoor spaces or shaded tropical gardens.

Calathea lietzei 'White Fusion' (Goeppertia lietzei 'White Fusion') is a stunning variegated cultivar prized for its marbled leaves that combine pure white with several shades of green, ranging from deep emerald to light mint. The unique foliage pattern makes it a striking decorative plant for indoor settings.

This Brazilian Calathea is one of the very few with showy flowers. The large leaves are quite attractive and they remind of a peacock ginger (Kaempferia). The leaves are light green with a white midrib. The white/pinkish flowers are 3" produced on long stems. The blooms are very showy above the foliage. This is a rarely offered plant. Makes an excellent container plant for shady locations.

In USDA zones below 11, grow as a houseplant or seasonal container specimen.