Grow Maranta lemon lime plant at home, they are easy to grow and care.
Maranta, also known as Lemon Lime or Maranta or Maranta leuconeura, is a subtropical evergreen tree that grows up to 20 meters high with thick glossy leaves and attractive red flowers in spring. It’s native to southern India but can be found all over the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe.
This tree is known for its large size, ease of growing and long life. In addition, the fruit it produces is a delicious cross between lemons and limes. The tree is known for having many uses. Maranta can be used to make fruit juices and drinks, as a garnish, to add flavor to salads and even as an air freshener.
Calathea Maranta lemon lime
Calathea maranta lemon lime comes from the family of plants known as Marantaceae. They are large leaves that spread over a tree and bloom with huge flowers. Calathea Maranta is easy to grow and require little to no maintenance once established. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and needs regular fertilization and occasional watering.
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The best time to plant the seeds is in the early spring. The plant grows quickly and can be harvested for its attractive, colorful blooms for several weeks before it starts to fade.
It is a tropical houseplant that is easy to grow, beautiful and drought tolerant. It requires only a few things to survive and thrive, making it an ideal choice for home gardening.
How to grow Calathea Maranta lemon lime
Calathea Maranta or Maranta leuconeura is an easy plant to grow and care for, and you can choose to keep it in a pot or grow it outside in the ground. Here is the complete step.
- Plant in late fall.
Calathea can grow in both cool and hot climates, as long as temperatures stay above 50 degrees.
- How much light does a lemon lime Maranta need?
Place the plants in a spot where they can receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight. Make sure there’s not too much shade, or the plant won’t grow. You want the soil to be around 70 degrees.
- Leave the soil alone for 4 to 6 weeks, then water the plants and fertilize them every 2 to 3 weeks.
Calathea doesn’t need to be watered too frequently, because it already has been established in the garden and needs less water to survive. Calathea is an air-loving plant. It needs to breathe.
- Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer when you notice new growth beginning.
After you see new growth begin, you may need to fertilize with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Calathea isn’t prone to pest problems and so it isn’t necessary to apply a pesticide. However, the plants may develop mildew in the summer, which you can control by spraying the plants with a hose.
- After the first of May, stop watering the plants.
By the time calathea reaches about 18 inches tall, it should have stopped blooming.
- Harvest the calathea when the leaves are about 3 inches long and when the plant is about 3 feet tall.
The lemon lime calathea variety is easy to recognize because the leaves have a pinkish tint. The stems of calathea have five leaflets, and the flowers are yellow. Cut off a leaf stem with five leaflets. The stem will produce new leaves.
- When you feel comfortable, transplant the calathea to a container.
You can do this once the calathea has reached about 18 inches tall. Use a plastic pot. Make sure the new container is larger than the old one.
When the calathea is in the new container, place the plant in a sunny area and water it daily until the plant is about 2 inches tall.
- Add more water to the plant if you notice that the plant is beginning to wilt.
Make sure the plant is receiving enough sunlight. Calathea needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day.
- Fertilize the calathea with a slow-release fertilizer.
Calathea doesn’t like a lot of water. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. In the late winter or early spring, you can fertilize the calathea with a fertilizer that contains nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Let the calathea grow until it reaches about 3 feet tall.
When the calathea reaches about 3 feet tall, you can harvest it. Make sure the plant has several sets of leaves and is healthy.
Propagating maranta lemon lime
To propagate Calathea maranta lemon lime also known as Maranta leuconeura,
- First you have to cut a small amount of rhizomes from your mother plant.
- After you have cut a small amount of rhizomes, you have to wrap them in damp paper towels and place them in a container.
- Make sure that the roots are not exposed to sunlight.
- Leave them undisturbed for five to six weeks.
- After the seeds have sprouted, you have to remove the paper towels and keep the container in a dark, warm area.
- Keep checking on the plants every day until the young plants are three to four inches tall. After the seeds have sprouted, you have to transplant the young plants into bigger containers.
- Make sure to keep the plants watered, and feed them fertilizer. Make sure that the plants don’t get too much water.
- They should get one inch of water every week.
- Don’t use any type of fertilizer.
- Once the young plants grow to about two feet tall, you can cut them back to about one foot in height.
- After you have cut back the plants, fertilize them regularly.
Conclusion
Calathea maranta lemon lime or Maranta leuconeura is a hardy plant that requires little care in its growing conditions. The only thing you should remember is to avoid over watering it. This plant thrives in hot dry climates and grows quickly. The leaves are very dark green and can grow as large as five inches across.
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This plant can grow up to fifteen inches tall with a spread of four feet. Once established, you can expect a harvest once or twice a year. If you live in an area where winters are long and harsh, a pot can be moved outside to protect it during winter.
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