The Maranta Red is a showy plant that introduces an effortless style into a space. Known as Maranta leuconeura, this plant calls the tropical rainforests of Brazil home. This easy-to-identify plant has stunningly beautiful foliage. The dark green leaves are oval-shaped, featuring bold red veining highlighted with light green accents along the midrib. A member of the Prayer Plant family, the stems gradually move throughout the day. Learn what you need to know about Maranta Red care.
Maranta Leuconeura Light Requirements
Place this stunner in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Increased sunlight maintains the bold leaf coloring, although the Maranta Red can handle medium light. Avoid direct sunlight because too much of a good thing will burn the foliage. Mature leaves will appear muted if the light is too dim.
Be aware that it takes time for the color to set on young leaves. As new leaves unfurl, the color may not be very vivid. Slightly discolored new leaves do not indicate that the plant needs increased sunlight. It just needs some time to get its act together.
How Often to Water Maranta Red
Watering is often tricky for Prayer Plants, so be patient and give yourself time to get to know your plant. Water your Maranta Red when the top few inches of potting soil are dry. Soil further down in the pot can be damp, but the uppermost layer should be dry. When it’s time to water, get all the way around the perimeter of the container. The goal is to drench all of the soil until excess water drains.
Prayer Plants can be somewhat dramatic (but not as bad as Peace Lilies), and the stems may droop when the plant is thirsty. Don’t confuse dry, drooping leaves with gently nodding stems during the day.
Best Soil for Maranta Leuconeura
Potting soil with drainage is vital for Maranta Red care. As much as this plant likes dampness, it does not like wet feet. Increased organic content and a neutral to acidic pH further support growth, although most general potting mixes are a good fit.
Temperature and Humidity for Maranta Care
Most homes are a comfortable temperature, but avoid drafty areas. Generally, a Maranta Red is happy between 65° and 85° F. These plants hail from tropical rainforests, so increased humidity is ideal. Maranta leuconeura plants can live in average household humidity, but that’s a big ask. Set your plant up for success by placing it in a bathroom, kitchen, or any other area prone to increased humidity. Use a pebble tray or a humidifier to keep the leaves crisp and healthy.
Additional Maranta Red Plant Care
Feed a Maranta Red using a balanced fertilizer every few weeks while the plant is growing. Always follow the instructions on the packaging and stop feeding the plant when growth slows in the fall and winter. Remove damaged or dead growth as it appears, but this plant typically does not require much pruning as part of its care routine.
Repot your Maranta Red every two years, or sooner if the plant appears rootbound. Propagate your Maranta Red through division. It’s easiest to divide a large, healthy plant when repotting. This variety does not support other methods of propagation.
Maranta leuconeura plants are non-toxic, so you can safely have this plant in a home with pets.
Maranta Red Styling Tips
The Maranta Red has so much visual interest that it often looks its best with a plain, neutral color container. Pairing it with a non-showy pot allows the foliage to stand out. Although this plant is not afraid of some competition, it can easily work very nicely in a bold, ornate container. The stems will trail with time, so mature plants are an excellent choice for a hanging basket near a window, or give it a tall plant stand for something unexpected but stunning.