Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura
📖 About this plant
Named for its captivating nyctinastic movement — the leaves fold upward at night like hands in prayer and unfold in the morning. The oval leaves feature striking herringbone patterns of dark green with lighter green markings, and the famous ‘Red Prayer Plant’ variety (var. erythroneura) has vivid red veins against dark green foliage. The undersides of the leaves are often a deep purple-red. Thrives in high humidity, indirect light, and consistent moisture. Perfect for terrariums.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Medium indirect
Every 1-2 weeks
High (50-70%)
18-26°C
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite; must retain consistent moisture
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) diluted to half strength every 2 weeks during growing season; stop in winter
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Brazil, tropical South America
- 📏 Max height
- 30-45 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-45 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring - Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Purple
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Red Underside
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — completely safe for all households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of root clumps during repotting in spring; stem cuttings with at least one node in moist soil or water
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — completely safe for all households
Common issues
- Brown crispy leaf edges from low humidity
- Fading colors in direct sun
- Root rot from overwatering
💡 Care tips
- Leaves fold upward like praying hands at night
- Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy
- Use distilled or filtered water to prevent leaf crisping
- Non-toxic and safe for households with pets
