La Maranta It is a plant with very decorative leaves, with reddish lines and spots of different shades of green, native to the tropical regions of the world. They grow to a height of half a meter, so they are ideal to keep in a pot throughout their life, decorating, for example, the entrance to the home.
However, although it appears to be very resistant, we often get a very unpleasant surprise several months after we bought it. Why? Why is the cultivation of the Maranta so complicated?
Irrigation, the main problem
It is the hardest thing to master, because we tend to think that, if water is life, the more you give the plant, the better it will grow; and the reality is very different. You should not add more quantity than necessarySince doing so the roots would rot and the leaves would quickly wither.
To avoid this, you should check the humidity of the substrate before watering. How? In any of these ways:
- Introducing a thin wooden stick to the bottom and then check how much substrate has adhered to it.
- Using a soil moisture meter.
- Weighing the pot once watered, and again after a few days.
In addition, it is important that, if we have a plate underneath, we remove the water 30 minutes after watering to avoid rotting.
Protecting her from the cold
Another of the main problems is that it is very sensitive to cold. If the temperature drops below 10ºC, its leaves are damaged. So, How to protect it from low temperatures?
A good way to do it is placing it in a room with plenty of natural light, where there is heating but placing it in a corner where the air currents do not reach it directly. But it is not the only one.
In fact, to strengthen it, must be paid throughout the year, including winter. Yes, I know, in many places it is said that in the cold months it should not be paid since the growth is zero, and it is true. But when you have tropical plants living in a cool area, it is highly advisable to add a tablespoon of Nitrofosca coffee once every two weeks to keep the roots warm. In this way, they better withstand the cold.
I hope these tips help you to have a beautiful maranta 🙂.