Maranta leuconeura Purple

A rhizomatous tropical perennial from the forests of South America with oval-elliptic leaves featuring a bold herringbone venation pattern on the upper surface and a rich purple underside. It grows in a compact, spreading rosette with reddish petioles and exhibits nyctinastic leaf movement — folding upward at night.

• Light: Bright indirect light with 50–70% shade cloth; avoid direct sun, which fades the leaf pattern and scorches the delicate foliage.
• Temperature: 65–82°F (18–28°C); thrives as a warm tropical grower with stable, draft-free conditions.
• Humidity: 60–80%; high humidity is essential to prevent leaf edge browning and maintain the velvety texture of the foliage.
• Watering: Keep the substrate evenly moist but never waterlogged; use filtered or rainwater when possible, as this species is sensitive to fluoride and salts.
• Growth Habit: Low-growing rhizomatous perennial forming a compact, spreading rosette with oval-elliptic leaves that fold upward at night (nyctinasty). New leaves emerge rolled and flushed with reddish tones before unfurling to reveal the full herringbone pattern.

Additional Notes

Best grown in a well-draining mix of peat or coco coir, perlite, and orchid bark. Shipped bare root, well-established.