Maranta Fascinator

Meet the Maranta Fascinator, also known as a Prayer Plant. This plant has an interesting leaf pattern that makes it a real eye-catcher among other plants.
This Maranta does best in bright, indirect light. The best description I’ve ever heard is that it likes to see the sky, but not the sun. Direct sunlight, especially hot midday sun can scorch the leaves, so it’s happiest set slightly back from a window.

I do find this plant is a little thirstier than most. It prefers its soil to stay consistently moist, rather than drying out completely. Try not to let more than about ¼ of the soil dry out between waterings. After watering, always let excess water drain away as this one really doesn’t like sitting in water.

Humidity is another big love of the Maranta. Keep it away from radiators and draughts, and aim for a more humid spot in your home. I keep mine grouped with other plants so they can help boost humidity together (plant teamwork at its finest).

If you need to repot, go for a well-draining soil mix. A standard houseplant compost works well, but if you like to mix your own, my go-to blend is ⅔ coir and ⅓ perlite or pumice.

Extra Care Tips

If you’re struggling with your Maranta, the most common issue is not enough humidity.

• Brown, crispy leaf edges usually mean low humidity or underwatering. Try watering a little more often, or move your plant to a more humid spot.

• Yellowing leaves are usually a sign of overwatering or the plant sitting in excess water. If the soil is absolutely soaked, I’d recommend repotting as soon as possible to prevent root rot.

When repotting, check the roots and if any look brown, mushy, or squishy, trim them off before potting up again.