🌿 How to Divide a Large Calathea Maranta Into Three Plants — Step-by-Step Guide With Photos
Calathea Maranta (also known as the Prayer Plant) can grow into a very dense, full plant when kept in good conditions.
Once the roots fill the pot completely, dividing the plant not only helps with long-term health but also gives you multiple new plants for free.
In this guide, I divided one large 15 cm pot of Maranta into three separate plants.
This process is easiest during the active growing season (spring to summer), when the plant recovers quickly and grows even stronger.
1. A Fully Grown, Dense Calathea Maranta (15 cm Pot)
The original Maranta had grown very full and lush in a 15 cm pot.
The foliage covered the entire surface and the leaves were vibrant and healthy.
Photos show the top and side view of the fully grown plant.
2. Removing the Plant From the Pot — Root-Bound Stage
After removing the plant from its pot, I could see the roots were completely packed.
This is the perfect time to divide the plant.
Healthy Maranta roots look white and dense, forming a tight mass that can be gently separated.
3. Dividing the Maranta Into Four Sections
I divided the plant into four root sections.
Marantas are surprisingly hardy during the growing season, so dividing them is safe even if the roots look tightly intertwined.
Tip: As long as each division has its own stem cluster and root mass, it will regrow beautifully.
4. Potting Three Divisions Into New 15 cm Pots
Although the plant was divided into four parts, I chose the three strongest divisions and planted them into three separate 15 cm pots.
The result was three full and visually balanced Maranta plants.
Photos show three newly potted Marantas side by side.
5. Calathea Maranta Flower Spike (Rare!)
Interestingly, one of the plants produced a flower spike.
Maranta flowers are small and delicate, which makes this moment special — it doesn’t happen often indoors.
🌱 Conclusion — Subtle Benefits for Readers
This guide shows that:
✔ You can turn one full plant into multiple new plants (free expansion)
✔ Division improves overall plant health
✔ Spring–summer division ensures fast recovery
✔ Maranta is easier to divide than most people think
✔ Even root-bound prayer plants can be revived beautifully
For beginners, this is an empowering process —
you don’t need special tools or skills, just gentle handling and patience.
🌿 Related Posts
