Maranta leuconeura Kerchoveana (Prayer Plant) - H30 cm | Pot Ø12 cm
- Regular price
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€25,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€25,95
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the edges of my Maranta's leaves turning brown? Two main causes: air that's too dry (increase misting frequency) or tap water that's too hard or chlorinated (switch to filtered or rainwater). Existing brown edges won't disappear, but new leaves will grow normally if you correct the conditions.
Is the Maranta suitable for a room without windows? It tolerates low light better than most graphic plants, but a room with no natural light at all is not suitable. A full-spectrum grow light on for 12 hours a day can compensate for the lack of windows and maintain the natural leaf movement.
SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌿 Light green foliage with symmetrical brown spots • 🎨 Fascinating daily movement • ☀️ Low light • 💧 Moderate watering • 🌬️ Air-purifying • 🐾 Non-toxic • 📏 H30 cm | Pot Ø12 cm
The Maranta leuconeura Kerchoveana, also known as the Prayer Plant, is a fascinating houseplant native to the tropical forests of Brazil, where it naturally grows in the humid, shady understorey. Its light green foliage adorned with symmetrical brown spots is remarkable - but it is its behaviour that truly captivates: its leaves fold vertically at night like praying hands and unfurl at dawn, every day without exception.
Non-toxic, air-purifying, and particularly tolerant of low light. Pair it with Marantas and non-toxic plants.
Which Maranta variety should you choose?
The Maranta genus offers several varieties with distinct patterns and colours, all sharing the same daily movement:
- Maranta leuconeura Kerchoveana (this plant) - light green foliage with symmetrical brown spots and soothing, graphic patterns. The classic elegant version.
- Maranta leuconeura 'Fascinator' - dark green foliage with spectacular red veins. The version with bold contrasts.
- Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime' - variegated lime green and dark green foliage with red veins. The bright and colourful version.
- Mix of 3 Marantas - set of 3 different varieties for creating a diverse Maranta arrangement.
Why choose Kerchoveana? Its symmetrical brown spots on a light green background create a softer, more soothing pattern than the red veins of 'Fascinator' - the most elegant and understated version, perfect for complementing any interior style.
Light & placement
The Maranta Kerchoveana is one of the few graphic plants that truly tolerates low light - a valuable quality for dimly lit interiors. Shade plants depend on a good balance between light and humidity.
- Exposure: partial shade to shade - tolerates low light but avoid direct sun, which fades the patterns.
- Ideal: office, hallway, bedroom, low-light living room, or a shelf away from windows.
- Temperature: 18 to 25 °C, without sudden changes or drafts.
- Substrate: light, rich, and well-draining - universal potting soil with perlite.
In a very dark location, the leaves become leggy and the spots fade - a sign that the plant should be moved to slightly more indirect light.
Watering & care
Maranta prefers slightly moist substrate without ever becoming waterlogged. Its main sensitivity is water quality. Use filtered or rainwater - limescale and chlorine in tap water cause brown edges on its delicate leaves. The finger test remains the most reliable method.
- Watering: moderate - keep the substrate slightly moist without waterlogging it.
- Frequency: about once a week in spring and summer, reduced slightly in winter.
- Drainage: essential - use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining substrate.
- Humidity: enjoys 60 to 70% humidity - mist regularly or place near other plants.
- Fertilizer: once a month in spring and summer with diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants.
Brown edges on the leaves almost always indicate air that is too dry or water that is too hard - two problems that are easy to fix.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
Its graphic foliage and daily movement make it an accent plant that brings life to any space - even the darkest ones.
- Pairing: pair it with a Calathea Makoyana or a Calathea Medallion - same family, same needs, complementary patterns. Pair with Calatheas and Marantas for a graphic tropical corner.
- Ideal pot: a white round Ø14 cm Gabriel decorative pot highlights the light green and brown spots without competing with them.
- Setting: perfect on a desk, shelf, or coffee table — its compact size (H30 cm) and movement make it fascinating to observe up close.
Verdeia tips
- Observe the leaf movement — they fold vertically in the evening and unfold in the morning, like praying hands. This phenomenon, called nyctinasty, is triggered by changes in light and occurs naturally every day. If the leaves stop moving, the plant probably lacks light.
- Filtered or rainwater only — limescale and chlorine in tap water accumulate in the substrate and gradually burn the leaf edges. A water filter, or simply letting the water stand for 24 hours at room temperature, significantly reduces the chlorine.
- High humidity, always — below 50% humidity, the leaf edges begin to turn brown. Mist the foliage several times a week or place the pot on a saucer filled with damp clay pebbles to create a more humid microclimate around the plant.
- Non-toxic and air-purifying — Maranta poses no risk to cats, dogs, or children and helps improve indoor air quality. A rare combination for such a graphic plant.
Technical characteristics
- Botanical name: Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana
- Common name: Prayer plant
- Family: Marantaceae
- Origin: tropical forests of Brazil
- Pot diameter: 12 cm
- Approximate height: 30 cm
- Mature size: up to 30–40 cm indoors
- Light exposure: partial shade to shade — tolerates low light
- Watering: moderate, slightly moist substrate, filtered or rainwater
- Care: easy
- Toxicity to animals: non-toxic
- Decorative style: Graphic / Lively / Elegant
- Special features: foliage with symmetrical brown spots, daily nyctinastic movement, air-purifying, non-toxic, tolerates low light
Each plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. The intensity of the brown spots and the density of the foliage naturally vary depending on the season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What to do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.