Arrowroot

Arrowroot is a plant with extraordinarily beautiful foliage that can be grown in your home if you take care of it properly.

Arrowroot: description of indoor flower

Arrowroot is a perennial monocotyledonous plant of the Marantovaya family, native to Central America. At the moment, about twenty-five species are known. Due to the beauty of the leaves and the characteristics, the arrowroot began to be grown for decorative purposes. Some types have found application in the food industry. Diet flour is obtained from the rhizome.

Arrowroot foliage color varies from light green to dark green. Also, attention is drawn to the veins of leaves that set off the main background, the color of which depends on the variety and type of plant. There are types of arrowroot with a creeping stem, but most often it is straight. Dim flowers are collected in a panicle inflorescence. And the shoot is modified in the rhizome.

Arrowroot flower: photo of a houseplant

Arrowroot is a miniature plant, its size does not exceed thirty centimeters, with the exception of Arrowroot reed. It is interesting due to the oblong leaves, which, trying to catch the sun's rays, are able to noticeably change their direction.

In the morning, at sunrise, the leaves of the arrowroot open in the direction of the light, and at dawn they, as if seeing off the sun, go up. The people compared this phenomenon with a man crying out to God, and the plant was nicknamed "praying grass." Interesting, isn't it? But the British distinguished themselves with greater imagination, they saw dozens of specks on the leaves of one of the species and decided to name the plant "ten commandments".

Types and varieties of arrowroot

Maranta leuconeura

Leuconeura, translated into Russian sounds like "white veins", this species is called Maranta white-necked. Although in fact, the color of the long veins varies from white to pink. But the spots near the axis of the leaf are white or light green, which contrasts with the main dark background.

The leaves are elongated, heart-shaped at the beginning, and blunt at the end, about fifteen centimeters long and nine centimeters wide.

Maranta kerhovena

A feature of Maranta Kerhovena is considered to be its diminutiveness - its height does not exceed twenty-five centimeters. Unlike other species, its veins are not brightly colored, but they have an interesting relief shape.

The structure of the leaf is the same as that of Arrowroot. But at Kerhovena, dark green, sometimes brown spots are fascinating, located parallel and symmetrically relative to the central axis. And on the inside, the sheet is purple or pale blue. Inflorescences are arranged together in several pieces.

Maranta erytrophylla

Red-tipped arrowroot combines shades of red, dark green and mint, therefore it is sometimes called Arrowroot tricolor. By its name, it is clear that bright red veins attract attention. Leaves, as a rule, are slightly smaller than that of other varieties: up to thirteen centimeters long, up to five centimeters wide.

On a dark green background, the central part is separated by zigzag mint spots, a pale shade of green is shaded along the edges of the leaf blade. The interior has a purple overflow. And the little flowers are lilac.

Maranta arundinacea

Arrowroot reed is quite different from the previous species, at least in size. The height of the plant reaches one hundred centimeters, and the length of the leaves is twenty-five centimeters. Elongated oval shape. This plant has an adaptation to a very humid climate - leaves pubescent on the inside.

Their veins are not visible, but the spectacular combination of white stripes and olive background is immediately noticeable. Inflorescences of beige colors.

Arrowroot flower: photo of a houseplant

Arrowroot: home care

Arrowroot is a thermophilic plant, the preferred temperature in summer is twenty-four degrees Celsius, in winter it has adapted to withstand a lower temperature - sixteen degrees Celsius. However, it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and may die. In no case should you leave in a draft.

The flower needs special lighting. Arrowroot loves good light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight on the leaves. Also does not withstand dark conditions. Diffused light for about fifteen hours a day is ideal.

Arrowroot flower: photo of a houseplant

Watering and humidity

The arrowroot plant naturally grows in swampy areas and therefore is accustomed to high humidity, about ninety percent. It is recommended to create "artificial fog" by spraying water at room temperature from a spray bottle.

In summer, when it gets hot, flower growers are advised to put the plant in a wide pan with small stones so that excess water flows into it when watering, and the roots do not touch the moisture. This is done so that the underground organs of the plant do not rot.

Watering should be carried out periodically, so that the earth does not have time to dry out, but is not very wet either. In winter, the temperature drops. It is important to keep track of the amount of water. The earth should dry out by three centimeters, only then can it be re-moistened. Excess water can cause the rhizome to freeze. Therefore, it is customary to reduce watering in winter.

Arrowroot flower: photo of a houseplant

Soil and fertilizers for arrowroot

The soil for Arrowroot can be bought or made independently. The composition of the land for planting arrowroot includes the following components: humus layer, charcoal, sand and peat. In early spring, during the growth period, fertilizing with a solution of mineral fertilizers is carried out several times a month. In this regard, everything is simple, because Maranta easily tolerates both an excess of fertilizer and its lack.

Transfer

Arrowroot transplant is carried out once every few years. The air permeability of the earth is essential for good growth. The pot is chosen wide, but not deep, because the arrowroot's rhizome is small. An abundant drainage layer is a prerequisite for transplanting and the subsequent comfortable moisture of the substrate.

If you have recently acquired arrowroot, but it is not recommended to transplant immediately. The flower must be allowed to adapt to new conditions. This will take no more than three weeks. Then you can safely proceed with the transplant. To do this, with the original lump of earth, the plant is transferred to a new pot, into which the soil is poured. For active growth and the formation of new shoots, it is recommended to cut the leaves to the very base.

Reproduction of arrowroot

Propagation by cuttings

Arrowroot is easily propagated vegetatively, namely by cuttings. Carried out in summer or spring. You need to cut a stalk about ten centimeters in size with several buds or leaves, put in water. The temperature should be high, so you can leave the glass near the battery. After a month, roots will begin to appear, and the cuttings can be planted in peat soil.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

The arrowroot bush is taken out of the pot and divided into several parts. After they are transplanted into another pot and covered with a film so that the future flower forms adventitious roots.

Leaf propagation

It happens in a similar way. The leaf is placed in soil and covered with foil. It takes root. It is transplanted into a pot where the new plant will live.

A separate leaf should be placed in a light substrate and covered with a film, forming such a greenhouse. After the process of rooting and adaptation, it is necessary to transplant to a permanent place.

Arrowroot flower: photo of a houseplant

Diseases and pests Arrowroot

Drying of leaves, the formation of unattractive brown spots, leaf fall are associated with direct sunlight on the arrowroot. Remove the plant from the bright sun and the problem goes away.

Do not be afraid when moving leaves - this is a feature of the "prayer flower".

If arrowroot leaves dry out, then it is necessary to increase watering.

Small leaves are formed due to lighting. Either it's too intense or not enough.

The presence of a white bloom indicates the presence of a pest - a mealybug. To get rid of it, the plant is treated with an insecticide. Rarely, increased water hardness is the cause of white bloom. In this case, just start boiling or filtering the water intended for watering Arrowroot.

Arrowroot: photo of indoor flower