Maranta leuconeura ‘Massangeana’ Black Maranta

Black Maranta (Maranta leuconeura 'Massangeana') is the prayer plant with the darkest leaves in the family, each traced with fine silver veins. It stays small, around 30cm tall and 40cm across, and spreads sideways rather than up. Every evening the leaves fold upright, then open again with the morning light.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage that moves. The leaves lift and close at dusk, then flatten by mid morning.
• Detail worth looking at closely. Silver veining over near black leaves holds interest all year, with no flower to wait for.
• Safe around cats and dogs. It is not toxic to pets, unlike most dark leaved indoor plants.
• It fits anywhere. At 30cm high it suits a shelf, a desk or the front edge of a mixed indoor pot.

Where it works best

Indoors. Bright filtered light is ideal, a metre or so back from a window rather than on the sill. Direct sun bleaches the dark pigment from the leaves.

Pots, baskets and courtyards. The trailing habit suits a hanging basket or a raised shelf, given an edge to spill over. Outdoors it needs a sheltered, frost free spot in tropical or subtropical gardens only.

Growing black maranta in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade or bright indirect light indoors. It is frost tender, so only tropical and subtropical gardens hold it outside year round. Elsewhere, treat it as an indoor plant.

Soil. A good indoor potting mix opened up with perlite or coir. It wants moisture held without the mix staying sodden, and a pot with a working drainage hole.

Water and feed. Keep the mix evenly damp through the warmer months and ease back in winter. It tolerates humidity well and dislikes dry air, so a bathroom or a grouped planting suits it. Feed at half strength every six weeks in spring and summer.

Pruning. Growth is slow, so there is little to do beyond cutting spent leaves at the base and shortening leggy runners. Trimmed pieces strike readily in water.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold in two pack sizes: 125mm pots in packs of ten and 165mm pots in packs of six. Both are established plants rather than cuttings, and packs suit a shelf run, a group planting or several rooms at once. The 165mm is the closer to instant.

Soft leaves mean a maranta can look tired on arrival, folded or slightly creased. Unpack it, water it once and give it a week in filtered light before judging it. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read how to keep your indoor plants alive for the watering and light basics.
• Browse more pet friendly indoor plants.
• See our pick of pet friendly plants for the home.
• Compare the wider indoor plants range.

Common questions

Is black maranta safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Maranta is not toxic to cats or dogs, which makes it a sensible choice where pets chew foliage. A pet that eats a lot of any plant can still get an upset stomach.

Why are the leaf tips going brown and crisp?

Almost always dry air, or mineral salts accumulating in the mix from tap water. Group it with other plants, keep it out of the path of air conditioning, and flush the pot through with rainwater once a month.

How much light does it actually need?

Bright, filtered light gives the best colour. It will hold on in a dim corner but the growth stretches and the silver veining fades. Direct afternoon sun through glass will scorch it.

Do the leaves really fold up at night?

They do. The leaf stalks have a hinge that responds to light levels, lifting the leaves in the evening and lowering them in the morning. It is normal, not stress.