Maranta
The prayer plant: every evening, its leaves fold up like hands joined in prayer. Our Maranta, safe for pets, and the guide to keeping them beautiful.
- 40 DH delivery, whatever the city
- Cash on delivery
- Damaged plant: replaced
- Studio in Rabat · Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00
New
The Instant T range
Four steps to healthy plants
Step 1 · SoilSignature Potting MixA potting mix for repotting, with compost and biochar instead of peat.2 L · 5 L · د.م. 39,00 – د.م. 59,00Price range: د.م. 39,00 through د.م. 59,00→
Step 2 · NutritionRoot feed — compost teaA concentrated compost tea to feed the roots and the life in the soil: one bottle makes 20 litres of watering.200 ml · د.م. 99,00→
Step 3 · FoliageFoliar feed — seaweedA seaweed extract to support the foliage, sprayed on.200 ml · د.م. 89,00→
Step 4 · ProtectionBlack soap for plantsA ready-to-use black soap that cleans the foliage and helps protect it against pests and diseases.200 ml · د.م. 45,00→Where to start?
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Not sure? Find your plant in 5 questions or ask for advice on WhatsApp.
Maranta, the prayer plant
The genus Maranta, in the Marantaceae family (like Calathea), has around forty species from tropical America. The most widely grown, Maranta leuconeura, comes from the forests of Brazil. It owes its nickname to its leaves, which rise and fold every evening, then open in the morning. It's a little less demanding than Calathea, trails beautifully from a shelf and is safe for cats and dogs.
Growing passport
Ease of care
Light needs
Water needs
Air humidity
Temperature18 to 27 °C, never below 15 °C
Cats, dogsSafe for pets
Species and varieties
| Species or variety | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator’ | Dark green leaves with bright red veins. The most spectacular (also called ‘Tricolor’). |
| Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’ | Light green leaves blotched with brown, like rabbit tracks. |
| Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’ | Lime-green veins on a dark green background. |
| Maranta leuconeura ‘Massangeana’ | Almost black leaves with silver veins. |
Caring for them in Morocco
- Light: soft, without direct sun, which fades the veins.
- Watering: soil slightly moist, never soggy. Water with water left to stand overnight: the hard water in our cities browns the tips of delicate leaves.
- Humidity: mist around it with a fine mist sprayer in summer and under air conditioning.
- Pruning: cut back stems that are too long: it branches out and becomes bushy again.
Reading the symptoms
- Crisp edges: dry air or hard water.
- Curled leaves: thirst or dry air.
- Dull, speckled leaves: spider mites: shower it and treat with black soap.
A plant you're worried about? Send a photo to the Plant Doctor.
Sources: Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) for names and origin; Royal Horticultural Society for cultivation; ASPCA for toxicity; and our own practice at the Rabat studio. Growing guidelines are averages: the light and air in your home matter more than anything.
Delivery anywhere in Morocco for 40 DH, cash on delivery, or collection from the studio, 6 Rue Zemmour, Aviation district, Rabat.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Maranta folding its leaves?
It's its natural rhythm: it folds them in the evening and opens them in the morning. If it keeps them folded in broad daylight, it's thirsty or getting too much light.
Maranta or Calathea?
Two related genera. Maranta is smaller, trailing and a little easier; Calathea forms an upright clump with larger leaves.