One need not go further than the plants belonging to the Maranta (Marantaceae) group to realize that there can never be a more talented and outstanding artist than Mother Nature. This group, made up of four closely-related members - Maranta, Calathea, Ctenanthe, Stromanthe – consists of some of the most exceptional foliage plants. Each member offers a unique leaf shape and design, making it easy to distinguish between them. As soon as you step into a greenhouse, your eyes will settle and feast on any one of these plants whenever they’re available. These variegated jewels, the eye candy of the plant kingdom, stand apart from the rest and make excellent focal points with their striking foliage.

There aren’t many plants in this group readily available for purchase at the local greenhouse for the simple reason that they are considered quite challenging. Aside from a handful, most of the Maranta members can be very difficult to grow under average home conditions. Their need for very high humidity - that isn’t easily replicated outside of a greenhouse – is one major reason why you don’t see too many of them offered as houseplants. Nonetheless, can one possibly pass up one of these mesmerizing beauties when they’re offered for sale? I know I can’t. I’m a real sucker for this bunch.

Although you’ll probably never run across most of the hundreds of splendid plants in this quartet, there’s no doubt you’ve seen (and maybe even own or have owned at some point) the renowned, low-growing Maranta Leuconeura - commonly-known as ‘Prayer Plant’ because of the endearing way it folds up its handsomely-marked leaves to ‘pray’ when dusk falls. Together with this bushy, compact plant with distinctly-marked oval to oblong leaves, there are some spectacular Calatheas, Stromanthes and Ctenanthes occasionally (usually seldom) available for purchase. In order to obtain a larger selection from the Maranta group, you will have to order them from a catalog or online.

In fact, there are so few Marantas available locally that I’m sometimes tempted to snatch one from public places. I came close to petty theft a few months ago (yes, I’m joking) when I went out to dinner with my husband to a restaurant that we go to from time to time. This eatery is always decorated with gorgeous, healthy plants but I noticed that evening that the selection of greenery had been slightly altered. Even though the usual Pothos, Dieffenbachia and Aglaonema were present, Crotons, Ficus, Spider Plants and some gorgeous Calatheas - that I’d never seen at local garden centers (and still haven’t) - had been added to the mix. Did I mention gorgeous Calatheas? So this bring-your-own-wine eatery, of all places, had added the Calathea Corona to its already spectacular plant décor. This is a plant that I would never leave behind at a greenhouse - if only I could find one. How in the world did they end up with it?

I was so mesmerized by that Calathea that I looked over at my husband and finally voiced my scheming thoughts, rather seriously.

"I love that Calathea ('what the heck is a Calathea?' his eyes asked). I've never seen one like that before anywhere.” Pause. Blink. Sigh. “Darn, if I’d only known, I would have brought my gardening tools with me. While you distracted the workers, I could’ve dug one up and taken it home. There are so many. They probably wouldn’t even notice if one was missing."

My husband stared. And stared. And stared at me. He didn’t blink until I smiled and finally said: “Hey, I’m kidding. I wouldn’t do that.” Pause. Blink. Blink. Blink. Long, drawn-out sigh. “Yeah, I should just ask the owner for one instead. They have so many...”

So, yes, I love those darn Calatheas and all the other members of the Maranta group too. I had to repeat to myself several times that evening: “Self, don’t you dare do anything crazy...like dig up one of these plants.”

And self behaved. Grudgingly.

Well, since we’re here together, let’s learn a little about the needs of these striking plants – some of which can be quite challenging but not impossible to grow. With the right care, you can succeed in keeping them thriving happily indoors.


Temperamental Beauties

The four members of the Maranta group, natives to the lowland tropical forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas, share a few things. They all need high humidity, a warm location, protection from the direct rays of the sun and avoidance of cold drafts. Most of these plants fare much better in a greenhouse, a terrarium or any place that satisfies their need for excess humidity that most homes fail to provide. If you’ve ever owned one of the more temperamental Marantas, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Without a suitable level of moisture, the leaves of difficult specimens become dry and crispy, turning a once outstanding plant into something quite unsightly.

Let’s get close and personal with each member of the Maranta group.


Dazzling Calatheas

Since my restaurant experience prompted me to begin this article, it seems fitting to start off with the Calatheas, one of the most attractive collections in the Maranta quartet. Native to tropical American regions such as Columbia, Brazil, Nicaragua and Guyana, the boldly-marked leaves of the Calathea genus can prompt individuals who have absolutely no interest in indoor gardening to consider taking up that hobby – never mind what it does to those of us who do take an interest.

With their dislike of exposure to direct sun, which can burn their leaves and prove fatal, the stunning Calatheas are a great choice for those shady areas. Supply them with plenty of bright, indirect light to enhance their vivid colours, keep them away from cold drafts and place them in rooms that provide warm temperatures between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (80°F).

This plant group, unfortunately, is a member of the ‘water juggling association’, which means that it likes its soil moist but never soggy. For experienced growers, this is not a problem; they’ve mastered the steps to this dance – or should have. For the novice, this fine line between over and under watering can be very tricky. One precaution that can assist in avoiding over watering is to pot up your Calatheas in a fast draining, porous medium. When the surface of the soil feels dry, water thoroughly until it runs out from the drainage holes. In the summer time, water your plants well and keep the compost moist at all times. Be very cautious with the watering can in the winter, especially if the temperature is cooler. No matter what the season, never let the compost dry out completely.

Calatheas hate dry air and they won’t hesitate to let you know just how much. The leaves of these plants dry to a crisp and the health of the plant can deteriorate quickly when humidity levels plummet, especially during the winter when the Sahara desert arrives indoors once the heating system kicks in. Always provide Calatheas with very high humidity by setting them on a pebble tray filled with water or by adding a humidifier nearby.

Calatheas are very fussy about their needs and demand that they be met. If you do not provide the required care to these plants, which can be very unforgiving, they will decline rapidly and end up in the trash bin. Keep their soil moist, make sure they receive bright light, situate them away from cold drafts and satisfy their need for ample humidity. If those four basic requirements are fulfilled steadily, your Calatheas will grow happily in your home.


Below are a few Calathea cultivars:

Calathea Albertii	Calathea Loeseneri	Calathea Roseopicta
Calathea Bella	Calathea Louisae	Calathea Picturata
Calathea Burle-Marxii	Calathea Lutea	Calathea Rotundifolia
Calathea Concinna	Calathea Majestica	Calathea Rufibarba
Calathea Crocata	Calathea Makoyana	Calathea Striata
Calathea Corona	Calathea Medallion	Calathea Undulata
Calathea Insignis	Calathea Medio-Picta	Calathea Veitchiana
Calathea Lancifolia	Calathea Orbifolia	Calathea Vittata
Calathea Lepardina	Calathea Ornata	Calathea Warscewiczii
Calathea Lietzei	Calathea Princeps	Calathea Zebrina

Beautiful Stromanthes

Stromanthes are not plants that you see very often in homes because many indoor gardeners (experts and novices) are reluctant to grow them. Over the years, many sources of information have made it a point of scaring the average houseplant hobbyist away from this lovely group. But despite their deep-rooted reputation as being too difficult for the average grower, their popularity has risen steadily in the past few years.

One of the major breakthroughs into the market for this Maranta member is the introduction of the golden child, Stromanthe Sanguinea Tricolor (Triostar). Native to the moist tropical forests of Brazil, this eye-catching, variegated, multicoloured tropical cultivar turns heads in the greenhouse and melts away any doubts about trying one’s hand at a Stromanthe. If this remarkable specimen hasn’t arrived yet in your neighbourhood, you can bet it’ll be there soon enough.

There are about a dozen different Stromanthes scattered throughout South and Central America but only about two of them – Sanguinea and Amabilis – are typically grown indoors. If you want to succeed with these showstoppers that are not the easiest to maintain in an average home, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with their precise needs – and apply them accordingly.

Like their Calathea cousins, Stromanthes need high levels of humidity for optimal health. A pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier nearby will increase the moisture in the air and keep these plants in good shape. Stromanthes are also members of the ‘water juggling association’ so quench their thirst carefully to avoid over and under watering. Keep the compost moist at all times and never allow it to dry out completely.

Average room temperatures between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (80°F) are ideal, and cold drafts must be avoided. Stromanthes fare well in medium light but brighter light intensifies the dramatic variegation. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, which will damage the leaves and cause them to fade.

Once considered too difficult as a houseplant, these jewels of the tropical world are slowly making their way into homes, enhancing the spots they occupy with their dazzling foliage. As long as you fulfill the needs of these lovely plants, you can enjoy the beauty of a Stromanthe indoors – all year round.


Stunning Ctenanthes

Ctenanthes are another eye-catching genus of the Maranta family – and can be just as difficult to grow. Native to tropical Brazil, the attractively-patterned foliage on these irresistible plants makes it very difficult to leave them behind at the garden center. And seeing that they end up following you home more often than not, it’s important to understand how to cater to their needs – if you want to keep them alive and well.

Provide plenty of humidity for these temperamental beauties that would like nothing more than to be grown in a terrarium. A pebble tray filled with water, double-potting to add moist peat moss between containers, grouping of plants to increase moisture or a humidifier in the room – all these steps will help alleviate some of the stress these plants are faced with when the air is too dry.

A good location for Ctenanthes is one that will provide partial shade, away from any exposure to direct sunlight. The leaves of these plants with fade if placed in areas that are too bright, leaving you with a sickly-looking specimen. Just like its cousins above, average room temperatures between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (80°F) are ideal, and cold drafts must be avoided.

Ctenanthes are very sensitive to over watering and will fade away quickly if adequate drainage is not provided. Pot them up in loose, fast draining compost, water moderately, keep the medium moist at all times and never let it dry out right down to the roots. When the winter season arrives and plant growth slows down, allow the compost to dry out a little more.


Below are a few Ctenanthe cultivars:

Ctenanthe Amabilis	Ctenanthe Lubbersiana
Ctenanthe Burle-arxii	Ctenanthe>Oppenheimiana
Ctenanthe Compressa	Ctenanthe Pilosa
Ctenanthe Kummerana	Ctenanthe Setosa

The Praying Marantas

Maranta Leuconeura, commonly (and affectionately) referred to as ‘the prayer plant’, is what launched the appeal for this delightful family of plants – at least for me, perhaps for many others. A native of Brazil, this small tropical plant with oval leaves is recognized by its beautifully-designed foliage and exotic appearance. Short-stemmed, bushy and low-growing, the upper surface of the leaves of this specimen are a deep olive shade decorated by vivid red lateral veins and bright green markings along the midrib, and the underside is an attractive shade of burgundy.

This pretty little thing - that lifts its leaves in ‘prayer’ every night and lowers them back again in the morning - is an excellent choice for hanging baskets with its cascading habit. It can also be grown in a dish garden, in a terrarium or as a ground cover in interiorscapes. In fact, it’s so versatile that the creative arrangements are limited only by your imagination.

The ‘praying’ Marantas prefer (and thrive) in bright light; eastern exposure is ideal for healthy growth. Dimmer locations are tolerated quite well, but without adequate light, vivid leaf coloration is compromised. Make sure that you do not place Marantas in the path of direct sun, which they do not tolerate in any way. Overexposure to sunlight will bleach and damage the leaves.

Marantas do not like to dry out between waterings so keep the compost moist at all times. Because the root system of these plants is very small, they are extremely susceptible to root rot. Be very careful with the watering can and always pot up your plants in a fast-draining, porous medium to help avoid over-watering.

Keep your plants warm - especially during the winter – by providing the same temperature range as all the other members of this family – between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (80°F). Frigid windowsills and cold drafts are to be avoided; they can cause healthy leaves to turn brown and shrivel.

And the most important factor in keeping these exotic plants healthy and thriving is oodles and oodles of humidity! Marantas dry to a crisp if there is insufficient moisture in the air. Provide a pebble tray, invest in a humidifier or keep your Marantas in a terrarium. Do not neglect this need; do whatever it takes to provide adequate humidity for these plants that will inevitably wither away without it.


A few cultivators in this group:

Maranta Leuconeura	Maranta Leuconeura Marisela
Maranta Leuconeura Erythroneura	Maranta Leuconeura Massangeana
Maranta Leuconeura Erytrophylla	Maranta Leuconeura Mediovariegata
Maranta Leuconeura Kerchoviana

Hydrocultue And The Marantas Shack Up

The wonderful thing about every single member of the Maranta family – if you are ever fortunate enough to get a chance to bring one home – is that they all convert to the hydroculture system without any difficulties. Prayer plants in particular seem to grow water roots overnight – figuratively speaking, of course.

Hydroculture is a great way to grow a group of plants that are highly-susceptible to root rot caused by houseplant hobbyists that are heavy-handed with the watering can, or from compacted soil that remains waterlogged for much too long. It’s also the perfect way to eliminate under watering, which is something that is detrimental to the Maranta quartet that needs constantly moist soil.

No more soil means no over (or under watering) – ever again. No more soil means one less thing to worry about with your Marantas – a group already sensitive about their care – and one step closer to beautiful, healthy greenery.

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