Maranta arundinacea
Maranta arundinacea Care Guide
Featured photomaranta-arundinacea.jpgMaranta arundinacea is the original arrowroot plant of the Caribbean and tropical Americas, cultivated for millennia for its starchy, edible rhizomes and now also grown as an ornamental houseplant for its broad, attractively veined leaves and graceful growth habit. As a member of the Marantaceae family it shares the prayer plant habit of diurnal leaf folding. Its robust constitution — tolerating a wider range of conditions than its more decorative relatives like Goeppertia ornata — makes it a practical choice for beginners who want a genuine prayer plant.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Medium light
- Water
- Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of the substrate has dried; roughly every 7 to 10 days in summer.
- Humidity
- 50–75 %
- Temperature
- 15–30 °C
- Soil
- Well-draining, fertile mix: potting compost, perlite, and a small amount of coarse sand.
- Origin
- Tropical forests and cultivated areas of the Caribbean and tropical Americas.
- Mature size
- 60 to 120 cm tall; leaves 20 to 30 cm long.
Overview
Maranta arundinacea is one of the oldest cultivated tropical plants, with archaeological evidence of arrowroot starch production in the Caribbean and South America dating back more than 7000 years. The common name 'arrowroot' derives from the Aruac word 'aru-aru', though it has historically also been applied to the idea that the rhizome pulp was used to treat arrow wounds. As an ornamental, it is grown for its large, prominently veined, bright-green leaves that fold upward at dusk in the classic Marantaceae prayer movement, driven by turgor changes in pulvini cells.
Care Priorities
- Medium to bright indirect light suits the plant; it tolerates lower light than many houseplants, making it useful in dimmer rooms.
- The rhizomes provide some drought buffer; water when the top few centimetres dry out rather than on a rigid schedule.
- Consistent warmth above 15 °C is preferred; lower temperatures slow growth markedly.
- Fertilise regularly during the growing season to support the vigorous rhizome and leaf production; skip feeding entirely in winter.
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves with mushy rhizomes indicate overwatering and root rot; reduce watering and improve drainage. Leaf curl without browning is a response to low humidity or temperature fluctuations — a temporary stress that reverses in better conditions. Brown leaf tips can result from fluoride in tap water, though M. arundinacea is less sensitive than Goeppertia relatives; switch to filtered water if tips brown consistently. Spider mites establish in dry indoor air; increase humidity and treat infestations with neem oil before they spread.
Sources & further reading (2)
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-05-08
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-08
Frequently asked questions
Is the variegated form the same species?
Yes — 'Variegata' is a cultivar of M. arundinacea with cream-splashed leaves. The plain green species is less commonly grown as an ornamental but is hardier and faster-growing.
How does M. arundinacea differ from M. leuconeura?
M. leuconeura (the popular prayer plant) has smaller, distinctly patterned leaves with herringbone markings. M. arundinacea has larger, uniformly green leaves and grows taller; it is also the species cultivated for arrowroot starch.
Does it flower indoors?
Yes — it produces small white flowers on slender stems in summer, though they are inconspicuous compared to the foliage. Flowering indicates the plant is mature and in good health.
