Maranta Bicolour

Are you a Maranta fan? If so, here is another one to add to your list. In our experience, the bicolour is similar to the black maranta in that it's slower growing and fussier than the other varieties. 

Maranta require warm and humid environments to look their finest, and they like evenly moist (not sopping wet) soil at all times. Letting their soil dry out too much will result in brown and crispy leaves.

The plants you see pictured are representations of the plant you will receive. 

About the Genus  

Maranta is a genus of plants collectively known as 'prayer plants' (Calathea are also called this name). At night, these plants fold their leaves upwards, resembling praying hands.

Prayer plants can also move their leaves regularly throughout the day. They'll position their leaves to receive optimallight. This plant has been growing under bright grow lights, and hence has its leaves angled downwards to ensure they do not receive too much light. If you place this plant in low light, it angles its leaves towards the light. The ability to move their leaves throughout the day allows prayer plants to thrive under various lighting conditions. In very low light, a prayer plant can track the light as it moves across a room throughout the day.

Care information

Maranta love moisture and should ideally be kept in environments with > 60 % humidity, however they will cope just fine in regular household humidity. Although it's not ideal, they can even tolerate the low humidity typical of a heated home throughout winter. 

The key to keeping a maranta happy is to never let their potting mix dry out, however sopping wet soil will cause root rot. The best way to maintain these plants is in a well-draining soil mix (e.g. 50% perlite and 50% potting mix) and a self-watering pot. They also grow well in passive hydroponics, but their very fine roots make them difficult to convert from soil to hydro. If you want to grow them hydroponically, we suggest taking a cutting, root it in water, and then grow the rooted cutting hydroponically. 

As mentioned earlier, marantas' ability to move their leaves makes them tolerant of a wide variety of lighting conditions. Bright indirect light is ideal, but they can also thrive in lower light environments or with some direct morning sun. 

Maranta are not prone to pests. Their leaves will curl if they are not happy; for example if they are receiving too much light, not enough water, or experiencing root rot. They are prone to browning on the tips of their leaves. This can be prevented with good airflow and regular application of a fungicide such as Myclobutanii. 

Maranta are non-toxic, pet and child friendly.

 

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