Indoor tropical plants add an exotic and lush feel to the home. Red-veined prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura “Erythroneura”) also have another neat attribute, moving leaves! Caring for a red prayer plant requires very specific atmospheric and cultural conditions for optimal health. The Maranta red prayer plant is a fussy little specimen that will not shrink from letting you know its every need. Keep reading for red prayer plant care and tips on solving problems.
About Red-Veined Prayer Plants
A tropical plant native to Brazil, red prayer plant is a popular and attractive houseplant. Its scientific name is Marantha and the variety is ‘Erythroneura,’ which means red veins in Latin. The red veins are in a herringbone pattern, giving rise to another of the plant’s names: herringbone plant.
In warm climates, it forms a ground cover while in cooler
regions it is best used as a hanging indoor plant.
The Maranta plant is a prostrate evergreen species that rises from rhizomes. It grows 12-15 inches (30.5-38 cm.) tall. The beautiful foliage is broadly oval and features 5-inch (12.5 cm.) long olive-green leaves with prominent red midribs and veining in a herringbone design. The center of the leaf is a lighter green and the undersides are even lighter still.
The best thing about the plant is its ability to
“pray.” This is called a nastic movement and is the plant’s response
to light. During the day the leaves are flat, but at night they move upward as
if praying to the heavens. This also allows the plant to conserve moisture at
night.
Caring for a Red Prayer Plant
Maranta species are tropical and live in understory
areas of the forest. They need moist soil and dappled light to shade. They
thrive in temperatures of 70-80 F. (21-27 C.). In cooler temperatures, the
plant will refuse to pray, the colors will not be vibrant, and some leaves may
even wither, brown, or fall off.
Very bright light will also affect the colors of the
foliage. A northern window or in the middle of a semi-bright room will provide
enough light without reducing leaf color.
The plant’s water needs are very specific. The soil must be
consistently wet but never soggy. A moisture
meter is an essential part of red prayer plant care. Fertilize with a
diluted houseplant food in spring.
Red Prayer Plant Problems
If grown as a houseplant, Maranta has few disease or pest
issues. Occasionally, fungal issues can arise on the leaves. To avoid this
problem, water under the leaves directly onto the soil.
Ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot and fungus gnats. A good mixture is two parts peat moss, one part loam, and one part sand or perlite. Outside, common pests are mites and mealybugs. Use horticultural oil sprays to combat.
Red-veined prayer plant prefers to be pot-bound and should be in a fairly shallow pot due to its shallow root system. If leaves become yellow at the tips, they could be from excess salts. Put the plant in the shower and flush the soil with water and soon it will produce healthy new leaves.
Indoor tropical plants add an exotic and lush feel to the home. Red-veined prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura “Erythroneura”) also have another neat attribute, moving leaves! Caring for a red prayer plant requires very specific atmospheric and cultural conditions for optimal health. The Maranta red prayer plant is a fussy little specimen that will not shrink from letting you know its every need. Keep reading for red prayer plant care and tips on solving problems.
About Red-Veined Prayer Plants
A tropical plant native to Brazil, red prayer plant is a popular and attractive houseplant. Its scientific name is Marantha and the variety is ‘Erythroneura,’ which means red veins in Latin. The red veins are in a herringbone pattern, giving rise to another of the plant’s names: herringbone plant.
In warm climates, it forms a ground cover while in cooler
regions it is best used as a hanging indoor plant.
The Maranta plant is a prostrate evergreen species that rises from rhizomes. It grows 12-15 inches (30.5-38 cm.) tall. The beautiful foliage is broadly oval and features 5-inch (12.5 cm.) long olive-green leaves with prominent red midribs and veining in a herringbone design. The center of the leaf is a lighter green and the undersides are even lighter still.
The best thing about the plant is its ability to
“pray.” This is called a nastic movement and is the plant’s response
to light. During the day the leaves are flat, but at night they move upward as
if praying to the heavens. This also allows the plant to conserve moisture at
night.
Caring for a Red Prayer Plant
Maranta species are tropical and live in understory
areas of the forest. They need moist soil and dappled light to shade. They
thrive in temperatures of 70-80 F. (21-27 C.). In cooler temperatures, the
plant will refuse to pray, the colors will not be vibrant, and some leaves may
even wither, brown, or fall off.
Very bright light will also affect the colors of the
foliage. A northern window or in the middle of a semi-bright room will provide
enough light without reducing leaf color.
The plant’s water needs are very specific. The soil must be
consistently wet but never soggy. A moisture
meter is an essential part of red prayer plant care. Fertilize with a
diluted houseplant food in spring.
Red Prayer Plant Problems
If grown as a houseplant, Maranta has few disease or pest
issues. Occasionally, fungal issues can arise on the leaves. To avoid this
problem, water under the leaves directly onto the soil.
Ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot and fungus gnats. A good mixture is two parts peat moss, one part loam, and one part sand or perlite. Outside, common pests are mites and mealybugs. Use horticultural oil sprays to combat.
Red-veined prayer plant prefers to be pot-bound and should be in a fairly shallow pot due to its shallow root system. If leaves become yellow at the tips, they could be from excess salts. Put the plant in the shower and flush the soil with water and soon it will produce healthy new leaves.