The Maranta are probably better known to most indoor gardeners by their German name Pfeilwurz. There are several species of the genus, all of which are characterized by brightly colored leaves. The species Maranta leuconeura in particular is an enchanting and fairly easy-care foliage plant. Also known as the Korbmarante variety, it has pretty light and dark green patterned leaves.

The basket marante is the best known and most popular marante species

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and use
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. flowers and flowering time
  5. fruit
  6. toxicity
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. substrate
  9. plants and repotting
  10. Pour Maranta
  11. Fertilize maranta properly
  12. Cut Maranta correctly
  13. multiply Maranta
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and use

    The arrowroot - which is occasionally also sold as colorful arrowroot - belongs together with about 40 other species to the arrowroot family (bot. Marantaceae). The plants grow in the tropical to subtropical rainforests of Central and South America. The basket marante, for example, comes from northern Brazil and can only be cultivated as a houseplant in our country due to its need for warmth. The ornamental leaf plant is only allowed to go outside during the summer months if the weather is appropriate and feels very comfortable there on the balcony or terrace.

    appearance and growth

    The evergreen perennial grows upright, herbaceous and forms a dense clump. The Maranta's long-stemmed, large and strikingly drawn leaves drive directly out of the bulbous roots and hang slightly over. The Korbmarante is well suited for window sills, as it only grows between 20 and a maximum of 30 centimeters high.

    leaves

    The oval to ovoid leaves of the Korbmarante are quite large with an average of ten to 15 centimeters. They are arranged alternately on the long stalks and are strikingly patterned with brownish to light green spots. The leaf veins, in turn, have a red to pink color. Young leaves typically initially curl up upright before finally unfurling.

    flowers and flowering time

    With a bit of luck, the tiny white flowers of the Korbmarante will appear between April and May. Compared to the leaves, however, these are quite inconspicuous and only appear rarely and only in older specimens.

    fruit

    After flowering, Maranta species develop small capsule fruits, which, however, only appear very rarely in our latitudes. This requires fertilization by insects, which, however, rarely occurs in living room culture.

    toxicity

    Just like other arrowroot species, the Korbmarante is not poisonous to humans or animals.

    Which location is suitable?

    It is not easy to find the right location for the Maranta, since the tropical plant requires conditions comparable to those in its natural location for healthy growth as a houseplant. The perfect spot is partially shaded, neither dark nor direct sunlight. A lack of light will result in stunted growth, while an excess of sunrays will in turn fade the beautiful leaf patterns.

    In terms of temperatures, the Korbmarante feels most comfortable at a warm 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, which should also prevail almost all year round. Only in winter can it be a little cooler, but the temperature here should not fall below 18 degrees either. In addition, the plant must be protected from the cold ground and draughts. On the other hand, the humidity should be at least 60 percent all year round, which is why it is best to cultivate the Korbmarante in a bright bathroom or in a heated conservatory - this is where the required conditions are most likely to be realized.

    substrate

    With regard to the potting soil, the Maranta is not quite as demanding as the location. Plant the crop in good humus-based potting soil - the higher the humus content the better - and mix with expanded clay (€19.73) or perlite for better permeability. Alternatively, you can also use soil for palm trees or potted plants mixed with some rhododendron soil, as long as it does not contain peat. Maranten generally prefer substrates with a slightly acidic pH value and a high content of nutrients.

    plants and repotting

    Since the Korbmarante belongs to the flat-rooted plants, it is best to plant them in a shallow container. This absolutely needs good drainage so that excess water can run off and waterlogging does not occur in the first place. Special plant pots with an integrated watering system are best suited. (32.95€) These make watering difficult because the plants only take as much water as they need. Hydroponics, on the other hand, is tricky: Only young plants that grow in hydroponics from the start are suitable for it. However, older plants should not be converted from soil to hydroponics.

    Maranta do not need to be repotted annually. Only when the substrate is well rooted is it transferred to a slightly larger pot. Remove as much of the clinging old soil as possible to get a closer look at the roots. Be sure to cut away dried or rotten roots before replanting.

    Pour Maranta

    When it comes to watering, basket marants are quite demanding, because the root ball should be kept as evenly moist as possible. The plant tolerates frequent dry bales just as little as frequent moisture. However, occasional drying is tolerated. If you roll up the leaves of the Maranta, this is a clear sign of a dried out root ball and should be removed urgently with the help of a watering can.

    For watering, only use water that is at room temperature and low in lime - for example well stale or filtered tap water or collected rainwater - and give the plant plenty of it between April and October. Between November and March, on the other hand, you can water more sparingly.

    Since the Korbmarante needs high humidity all year round, you should either spray it daily with lime-free water or set up an indoor fountain. Alternatively, a flat bowl filled with water also helps. Change the liquid in it regularly to prevent algae formation.

    Fertilize maranta properly

    In the main growing season between April and October, give the Maranta a liquid fertilizer for green or house plants every four to six weeks. You administer this together with the irrigation water, whereby you can alternatively also use a long-term fertilizer in the form of fertilizer sticks (4.48€). Only after repotting does the arrowroot not need to be fertilized - just like during the winter months between November and March.

    Cut Maranta correctly

    A pruning is not absolutely necessary, but you can shorten the basically pruning-tolerant plant by up to two thirds of its mass if necessary. It will then expel again. This measure is necessary, for example, to remove old, unsightly, discolored and/or dried leaves. Clean and sharp scissors are sufficient for this.

    multiply Maranta

    In spring to early summer you can propagate the Maranta with cuttings. In order for rooting to succeed, it is best to proceed as follows:

    • Cut about ten to 15 centimeters long, strong head cuttings.
    • Separate them from the mother plant just below a leaf node.
    • This is where the new roots will later sprout, so the leaf node must be in the ground.
    • Remove the leaves at the bottom.
    • Fill a planter with potting soil.
    • Plant the cuttings in there.
    • Moisten the substrate well.
    • Put a translucent, cut-off PET bottle over the plant.
    • Alternatively, you can also use a plastic bag.
    • However, the plant must not touch its walls.
    • Place the jar in a bright, but not direct sun location.
    • Keep the soil slightly moist.
    • Ventilate for at least an hour every day.

    The small Maranta roots take root within five to six weeks and can then be transferred to a suitable substrate and, if necessary, a larger container.

    hibernate

    Even during the long, dark winter months, the Maranta needs temperatures of at least 20 degrees Celsius. Under no circumstances should the temperature fall below 15 degrees Celsius. Water significantly less now, but don't let the plant dry out. It is not until March that watering is gradually increased again. Fertilization can also be omitted in winter. Supply the plant regularly with nutrients again as soon as it shows the first new shoots in spring.

    diseases and pests

    Anyone who places such high demands on their location and care as the Korbmarante will quickly show if something does not suit them:

    • curled leaves, often with brown leaves, indicate a location that is too cold and/or too dark
    • Mottled leaves occur when the irrigation water contains lime - this accumulates in the foliage
    • on the other hand, if the location is too sunny, the foliage will quickly fade

    Pests such as spider mites or thrips, on the other hand, mainly appear when the humidity is too low. If you increase this, the pests often disappear by themselves. As a first-aid measure, first give the basket a good shower.

    tips

    Incidentally, the arrowroot flour that some hobby cooks are familiar with is not obtained from the basket marante (Marante leuconeura), but from the related species Maranta arundinacea. So you don't need to dry the roots of your Korbmarante and finely grind them into flour to conjure up fine sauces from them.

    species and varieties

    Of the Marante leuconeura species, which is primarily cultivated as a houseplant, four different cultivars are available in the trade in addition to the species.

    • 'Erythroneura': oblong leaves colored emerald green with a pretty pattern of white and dark green spots. The underside of the leaf is purple in color, as are the side veins
    • 'Fascinator': probably the most commonly cultivated variety as a houseplant with bright green, darker mottled leaves, a light green midrib and reddish leaf veins
    • 'Kerchoviana': beautiful cultivar with emerald green leaves that have numerous dark green and dark brown spots to the left and right of the midrib. Underside of leaf blue-green with red spots
    • 'Massangeana': pretty, small leaves of a mottled, olive-green color and with lighter tinted leaf margins, the midrib is also lighter, the underside of the leaves is dark purple

    The Maranta cristata species can also be cultivated as a houseplant, but is much less common. It is also known as the two-tone Marante and has so far only been known to enthusiasts.

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Indoor plants