Plant Description: Maranta ‘Rabbit’s Foot’ plant

Maranta are spectacularly variegated ornamental houseplants. Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana also known as Rabbit’s Foot has wonderful foliage, the leaves are light grey-green with darker green patches on either side of the central vein. The leaf undersides are a uniform silvery green. Often referred to as Prayer Plants, along with their closely related cousins Calathea, Maranta leaves have the unusual characteristic of lying flat during the day and then closing upwards at night as if in prayer. These plants have a low spreading nature and will start to trail as they grow and mature.

Plant Care and  Maintenance of Maranta

Sunlight requirement of Maranta

• Maranta grows well in bright indirect sunlight and high humidity.

Soil

• Soil should be well drain and porus.

Watering

•  This plant should be watered with soft water only
• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply 1 cup (Approx. 50 ml) water when the top soil (3-4 inch) in pot feels dry to touch.
• Apply water probably in the morning or evening time.
• Do not overwater the plant.
• As a rule of thumb, water the plant thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.

Application of fertilizer

• Before application of fertilizer loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture.
• During the main growing season (January-March) feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month.
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and discard them away from the plants.
• For any insect attack or disease, you can use Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil or Citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Do not over water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.
• keep away from the AC Vents.
• Do not apply water on plant leaves.

Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location.

• Check the moisture in the soil before watering it.
• Poke your finger into the soil, if dry then apply water.
• Keep the plant in indirect light.
• Do not repot immediately after receiving it.

Ornamental uses