Please help me identify this plant!! I got it just several weeks ago at my fathers funeral and of course there was no tag on it. I really want this plant to do well because it is one of my last reminders of my father. It is a beautiful hanging plant that has green leaves with each of the viens that run up the leaf being purple. The back of the leaf is a purpleish color as well. I also need a little advice for caring for this plant. Over the last 2 weeks it has started to look a little sad. Some of the leaves turned completely brown and some just dont look like the are doing so well. I went out and bought some Miracle Gro and watered it with that as well as used some clippers to clip some of the dead leaves and some of the ones that didnt look to be doing so well. A few other things - how often should I water this plant? How much water? is the miracle grow necessary or could it do an damage? and quite frankly... anything else you can tell me as i am a complete novice. The pictures I enclosed are pictures from after I clipped it. So it does look a little more healthy than it did previously. Thank you to any one that can help! Thanks, Pratial
It's a Maranta, or prayer plant, and is called that because the leaves fold up at night. It likes only moderate light (not a too-bright room, shouldn't be in a south or west window), and water when the top inch or so is dry, though they can be funny and need it more often, but sometimes less so and you need to judge for yourself, but always err on the side of drier with plants (they'll let you know when they need more, by looking a bit wilty. I love them! There's another commonly sold variety with no purple. I would just use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every couple of wks starting in spring, only monthly in winter.
Excellent! thank you for your quick response. Yes I have noticed some of the leaves curling up but it also does that in the day... and some of them never seem to uncurl. Either way thanks for the advice and letting me know what type of plant it is.
I found out a little more so thanks again.. heres a copy and you were exactly right!! http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week205.shtml
