Ornamental plant maranth has more than 25 species, varied in color and beauty of ornaments on the leaves. The most common among gardeners types of arrowroot - white-haired, tricolor and kerchoven. There are other types, no less spectacular, so everyone who loves indoor plants will find an arrowroot to their liking.
Did you know? The plant got its name in honor of the Venetian doctor, physiologist and botanist Bartolomeo Maranta, who lived in the sixteenth century. For a long time it was thought that the motherland of arrowroot was the tropical forests of Brazil. However, after DNA research, many scientists believe that the origin of this kind of plant is African. There is no single point of view yet.People call it prayer flowersince the maranth has one characteristic feature. Under favorable conditions, the leaf blades of the plant are arranged horizontally, and in the evenings or in low light they rise up and curl up into a tube, resembling the palms of a person praying.
The plant has oval wide leaves of a lanceolate form, up to 15 cm long. The background color of the leaves varies from light green to deep and dark green, almost black. On the reverse side, the leaves are reddish, scarlet or bluish-green. Marant flowers are small, collected in ears.
Did you know? In England, arrowroot is also called the "10 commandments", since one of its varieties has 10 spots on its leaves. Therefore, the British are trying to be sure to grow such a flower in the house.Maranta is a favorite flower grower plant for a number of reasons. First, the plant with unusual patterns on the leaves pleases the eye all year round; secondly, it has a compact size and does not require a large growing space; thirdly, the arrow mantle, though whimsical enough, is easy to care for, so even a novice grower can handle it.
Important! Proper lighting is important for a beautiful pattern of leaf arrowroot. With a lack of light, the leaf pattern will be less pronounced, and the foliage itself will become a pale green color. However, too much illumination also negatively affects the contrast of the pattern.Now take a closer look at the most common types of this unusual plant.
Maranta belozhilkovaya
One of the most common types in homes - Maranta belozhilkovaya. Differs spectacular pattern on the leaves, has several hybrids. The leaves of the white-veined arrowroot are placed on short petioles, have a broad oval or elliptical shape. From above color of a leaf bright green with yellowish or beige spots. The reverse side is gray-green with burgundy hue. It has small numerous inflorescences, collected in spikelets. 
In the conditions of indoor cultivation of arrowroot white-veined bloom rarely observed. This type of arrowroot is propagated by dividing large master samples, transplanted once a year into wide and low pots. From the peculiarities of the care of the white-faced arrowroot, you can highlight its good responsiveness to regular feeding. The plant likes shade and high humidity, abundant watering with warm soft water, as well as a uniform elevated temperature of air throughout all seasons (+ 18 ... +25 ° C). The preferred soil is a loose mixture of soil and sand with the addition of pine needles. You can also buy a special ready-made soil composition for arrowroot.
Maranta Gibba
Maranta Gibba differs from other species in inflorescences. This species grows in Central America, Mexico (the states of Veracruz, Quintana, Morelos, Jalisco, Ohaka, Puebla, Yucatan, etc.), in the north of South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia) and on Trinidad Island. 
Marantan gibba has special beautiful flowers of purple color. Inflorescences are not single, they are collected in panicles. When blooming, purple flowers expose a honeycomb bed like a peeled cone. The rest of the gibba is the same representative of arrowroot, like the others, small, with ovate or oval leaves. The conditions of care are the same as for other types of arrowroot.
Maranta two-color
Among others, stands maranth two-color (bicolor), a rather rare species. Its main difference is that it does not form roots. It has a low stem, forming a neat bush. The leaves are ovate or oval with a wavy edge. The color of leaves is dominated by two colors, so the view is called two-color. The general background of a green leaf with brown spots on the silver vein in the center. The reverse side of the sheet is reddish or purple. The flowers are also paniculate, white with lilac splashes. The two-colored arrowroot is propagated by processes and division of uterine specimens. 
Maranth two-tone requires more careful care at home than other maranth. It is worse than all tolerates the direct rays of the sun, dry air and soil. Bicolor should be grown in warm places of the room or in a terrarium (temperature + 20 ... +25 ° C). Like all arrowroot, likes regular abundant watering with soft water at room temperature, and also requires artificial humidification of the air. Optimally prepared soil for maranth.
Maranta Kerchoven
Maranta Kerkhovena - a plant up to 25 cm tall. Many novice growers confuse it with a two-color. It has oval leaves on short petioles. On the upper side, the leaf is bright green, with large stains of a feather-like shape of a dark green, brownish color. Along the central veining - a strip of white. The reverse side of the sheet has a red or bluish tint. Flowers small, white, 2-3 inflorescences. As for the care, the kerchoven also likes abundant watering with soft, separated water, spraying, warmth and shade. Twice a month requires fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers. 
Maranta Massange
Maranta Massange, or black arrowroot, is also a decorative perennial of the Marantov family. It is a type of white-haired arrowroot species, but under favorable conditions it grows somewhat larger than tricolor. The leaf pattern of arrowroot Massange is similar to the pattern of Kerchoven, but has a darker brownish background with contrasting silver veins and a wide white and yellow stripe in the middle. Caring for arrowroot massans includes the same activities and conditions as for kerhovenoy and belozhilkovoy. 
Did you know? It is believed that arrowroot protects the house from disagreements and quarrels, absorbs aggression, reduces nervousness and irritability.
Maranta tricolor
Maranta tricolor, or tricolor, is a rather whimsical plant. Its leaves are also oval wide, but smaller than in other species - up to 10-13 cm in length and about 5 cm in width. The color of leaves - from light green to dark green with clear scarlet veins. The reverse side of the leaves is velvety, crimson color with pink veins. Pale green or yellow green spots along the central vein. Along the lateral veins are dark green spots of feather-like form. The flowers in tricolor light purple. Maranta tricolor is very responsive to mineral and organic liquid fertilizers that are applied from April to September, strongly diluting. The plant loves shade, moisture and warmth. Replace the tricolor arrowroot every other year in spring. 
Did you know? According to the Taoist practice of feng shui, indoor maranth tricolor house plant helps purify the blood and prevents the occurrence of colds.
Maranta reed
Maranta reed, or arrowroot, is an ornamental plant with a height of more than 1 meter. As an indoor plant, this type of arrowroot is infrequent. Reed maranth has thick, tuberous roots. The leaves are long (up to 25 cm), dark green with a grayish shade, oval and pointed downwards. Flowers are white, small, bloom is observed in spring or summer. From the rhizomes of arrowroot, reed produce a special type of starch arrowroot, which is used as an alternative to cornstarch, as a thickener for puddings and jelly, as well as for baby food. 
Did you know? The name harrow ("arrow + root" - English. "Arrow + root") was given by the Indians, who were treating with the reed arrowroot of people poisoned by poisonous arrows.A variety of types of marandy allows using this flower not only as an interior decoration, but also for culinary and medicinal purposes. The plant is rich in starch, nutrients and vitamins: folic acid, vitamins B9, PP, calcium. Maranta treats anorexia, anemia of the intestine, insomnia, and also increases the supporting function of the body.
