Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana, an unusual prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana'
- Exposures
- Half-shade, Shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Genus
- Maranta
- Species
- Maranta leuconeura
Other names:Maranta kerkoviana, Calathea kerchoveana
Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana comes to us from the tropical forests of Brazil and Venezuela. Like other members of the Marantaceae family, the plant has retained a curious habit from its wild days: when evening falls, it raises its magnificent foliage toward the sky.
How can you recognize Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana?
Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana is a fast-growing, compact perennial. It grows to a maximum of 30 centimeters tall and 20 centimeters wide. In the wild, arrowroot plants grow in groups and form colorful ground cover. Indoors, they can be grown in pots, as hanging plants, or even in a terrarium.
The leaves of Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana grow in a rosette on a short stem. They are supported by a long petiole. Upon closer inspection, you can see a small bulge at its base: the pulvinus. This allows the leaf blades to change position throughout the day. In fact, during the day, the leaves open and spread out. At dusk, they stand upright, like hands in prayer. This distinctive feature has earned the plant the nickname “praying plant” or “sleeping plant.”
But this curious dance is not the reason collectors are drawn to Maranta kerchoveana. The variety is most popular for its foliage. The obovate, velvety leaf blades measure eight to twelve centimeters in length. Green in color, they are adorned with square spots of chocolate brown and dark green. Symmetrically arranged on either side of the central vein, there are always exactly ten spots. That was all it took for botanists to give this Maranta a second mystical nickname: the “Plant of the Ten Commandments”!
As with other Maranta leuconeura varieties, the flowering is rather unremarkable. In summer, small white or mauve, two-lipped flowers appear.
The prayer plant is harmless to humans and animals. You can safely bring it into your home even if you have young children or pets. Some even attribute air-purifying properties to it.
Our care tips
Not very demanding, your Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' is content with a location without direct sunlight and plenty of humidity.
Watering
The Maranta kerchoveana fear excess water. To prevent root rot, allow the substrate to dry between waterings and remove any stagnant water from the saucer.
Water the soil preferably with rainwater. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
Misting
Dry air favors the appearance of mites and other pests. Mist the foliage of your Maranta kerchoveana to prevent invasions and improve hygrometry.
Use non-calcareous water, such as reclaimed rainwater. Tap water is often too hard and leaves marks on the leaves.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' to give it more space.
Obtain a pierced pot of a larger size than the previous one. Don't hesitate to choose a ceramic or plastic model. These materials retain moisture and allow you to space out watering. Your Maranta kerchoveana also prefers a wide pot to a deep container to give it room to grow.
Line the bottom with gravel or clay balls for drainage. Then pour in potting soil for green plants. You can lighten it by adding perlite.
Plant your subject in the middle and fill in with substrate. Water for the first time to eliminate air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana', apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Give your Maranta kerchoveana a green plant fertilizer to support its growth.
Follow the instructions on the product! If you overdose, you could damage its foliage.
Cleaning
The dust that accumulates on foliage hinders photosynthesis and the growth of your Maranta kerchoveana. You can remove it with a damp cloth or clean sponge.
Prune
You can remove the yellowed leaves.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
The Maranta kerchoveana are rhizomatous plants. They multiply by dividing clumps.
Take your Maranta kerchoveana out of its pot. Using your hands or a clean, sharp tool, separate a shoot with at least four leaves and a rhizome. The more developed your young shoot, the greater your chances of a successful cutting.
Get a pot with holes to suit the size of your seedlings. Line the bottom with clay balls or gravel to improve drainage.
Pour in a rich, light substrate, such as potting soil, and plant your cuttings. To help you, you can use a pencil to form a pilot hole.
Water to encourage rooting and eliminate air bubbles.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- Half-shadeShade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- IndoorRhizomeHerbaceous
- Tags
- Cold-sensitiveThirsty
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight greenBrown
- Flower colors
- WhiteViolet
Discover plants from the same family
Maranta leuconeura tricolor
Maranta leuconeura 'Tricolor'
Maranta Lemon Lime
Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime'
Zebra Calathea
Goeppertia zebrina
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
