Origin
The Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' is a popular houseplant native to the tropics of Brazil. It belongs to the Marantaceae family, also known as the 'prayer plants.' The plant owes this name to a unique phenomenon: its leaves fold upwards in a prayer-like posture in the evenings.

Characteristics
The 'Kerchoveana' is a compact, low-growing plant with beautiful, oval-shaped leaves. They have a striking pattern of dark green spots on a light green background. The underside of the leaf has a contrasting purple colour. A unique feature of this plant is that its leaves close in the evening, a movement that is controlled by a small 'joint' at the base of each leaf stem.

Care
Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' thrives best in indirect light and high humidity. Direct sunlight may damage the delicate leaf surface. The plant needs regular watering, but does not tolerate overwatering or very wet soil. It's best to wait until the top layer of the soil has dried out before re-watering. In addition, this plant benefits from a nutritious, well-draining soil.