Scientific name: maranta leuconeura (maranta's white string plant) 'fascinator tricolor'. Common name: red prayer plant, red nerve plant, maranta tricolor, maranta red stripe. Origin: native to tropical brazilian forests. This variety of maranta shows off its colours in a fabulous display across the leaves, with stunning red-pink veins mapping across the two shades of green in the leaf, paler in the centre and darker around the outside. As a prayer plant, this clever species' leaves will raise and lower to greet the sun and maximise light exposure. Unlike other types of variegation, maranta variegation is consistent across the whole plant, meaning each leaf will get the same pattern because it is coded into its genes. Choose this variety for its stunning colours and watch it overflow your pot and reach for the sun! Light: bright, indirect light throughout spring and summer; it will appreciate a splash of morning or evening sun in autumn and winter. Due to the red undersides of its leaves, this variety can withstand some shadier spots, but if it isn't moving its leaves up and down often this probably means it's a bit too shaded. Humidity: likes high humidity, so will benefit from the introduction of a humidity tray and regular misting. Hose down the plant to keep it dust-free and keep an eye out for curling, browning leaves indicating low humidity. Soil: use a well-aerated soil mix which also retails moisture well to keep this plant happy; a mix of light components such as coir with moisture-retentive vermiculite or zeolite works well. Repot every two years in spring as the plant grows. Food: feed every four waters in the growing season, and reduce to every six in autumn and winter. Temperature: ideal temperature is 18-27°c. Sprouts top tips: keep an eye on your maranta's leaves for an indication of its health; yellow leaves signify overwatering and soggy soil whilst brown, crispy leaves indicate too little humidity.