Maranta is a genus of evergreen, low-growing perennial plants in the family Marantaceae, comprising about 20 species. It is native to Southeast Asia and West Indies, and is grown for the distinctively patterned and colored foliage. The genus name Maranta is named after Bartolommeo Maranti, a sixteen century Italian physician and botanist.
Maranta species are rhizomatous perennials, and typically growing in clumps. They grow best in shaded position and needs constant, high humidity, in organic and well-drained soil. The plants have undivided leaves with sheathing stalks and bears three-petaled white flowers with two larger petal-like staminodes. Propagation is by division or stem cuttings in spring or summer.
Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneurla', syn Maranta leuconeura 'Erythrophylla' is an evergreen perennial commonly known as Prayer Plant. Its oblong leaves have veins marked red with paler yellowish green midribs, and are flat by day and upright at night. The plant is 30 cm tall and wide.
Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoviana (Rabbit tracks) is a 30 cm tall and wide evergreen perennial that intermittently bears white to mauve flowers. It has oblong leaves with dark brown blotches that become greener with age. The leaves are flat by day and upright at night.
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