Question
I have a maranta that is probably about 20 years old.  It goes through an interesting cycle.  It starts out with all green leaves, then gradually they get brown on the tips, then the brown grows until all the leaves are dead.  Then it regenerats, sending up new shoots.

It's sitting in my bathroom, in the difused light from the window.  I water it about once a week, I keep the soil moist, but the pot allows drainage, so I don't think it's too moist - but I do tend to want to drown plants.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you
Mary

Answer
Hi Mary,

If you have kept your Maranta alive for 20 years, you must be doing a lot right! If you were overwatering, the roots would have rotted long ago and the plant would have died.

Maranta leaves are fragile and deteriorate easily if conditions are less than ideal. First check your water quality. If it is on the hard side or heavily fluoridated, then switch to distilled, filtered or rain water.

If you are fertilizing regularly, stop.

Make sure temps are above 65 degrees and the plant is not exposed to cold drafts.

Keep humidity levels up, especially after the heat comes on for the colder months.

Make sure there are no spider mites. They look like tiny dust particles on the undersides of the leaves.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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