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Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant (Maranta)
Prayer plant are a relatively small group of tropical flowering plants. These plants got their common name from a quirky behavioral feature - their leaves, while flat during the day, fold and turn upward at night as if offering a prayer. Their unique foliage makes prayer plant attractive houseplants or specimens in conservatories.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
info

Key Facts About Prayer plant

Attributes of Prayer plant

Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃

Scientific Classification of Prayer plant

distribution

Distribution of Prayer plant

Distribution Map of Prayer plant

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Prayer plant

how to grow and care
The genus prayer plant, often called 'Prayer Plants', is visually distinctive and requires specific care. The Basic Care Needs include medium to low indirect light, evenly moist soil, and warm temperatures. Prayer plant prefers a humid environment and well-draining soil. Common Challenges gardeners face include pests like spider mites, diseases such as leaf spot, and sensitivity to fluoride in tap water. Seasonal Considerations impact the care schedule; prayer plants require more water in summer and less in winter, and should be kept away from cold drafts. Regular misting can keep them healthy and vibrant.
More Info About Caring for Prayer plant
species

Exploring the Prayer plant Plants

8 most common species:
Maranta arundinacea
Arrowroot
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is a perennial herb found in rainforest environments. Currently, this species is grown mostly in St. Vincent in the series of Caribbean islands. This plant is commercially viable because the root starch extract is used to make foods, makeup, and glue.
Maranta leuconeura
Prayer plant
The prayer plant is a common houseplant and is known as a prayer plant due to it raising its leaves in a prayer motion during the evening. This plant requires indirect sunlight, high humidity and minimum temperatures of 15 ℃.
Maranta cristata
Zebra-plant
A perennial herb, zebra-plant (Maranta cristata) is distinguishable by its waxy shades of green and dappled pattern. It is an evergreen and will not lose its leaves so long as it can bear the local climate. It does not react well to damp soil and requires excellent drainage, as overwatering may lead to root-rot and other such afflictions.
Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura' is cultivated from the Prayer plant genus and is easily distinguishable by its pink and light green herringbone-patterned dark green foliage that makes it a favorite garden ground cover. The cultivar gets its name from 16th-century Venetian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranti.
Maranta arundinacea 'Variegata'
Variegated Arrowroot
Variegated Arrowroot is a variegated version of the tropical arrowroot plant best known for its alternating cream and green stripes on its foliage. Due to its attractive leaves, it is a popular houseplant. It also produces white short-lived flowers. In the early 19th century, it was commercially grown as a source of starch, which was obtained from the root.
Maranta 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator' is an outstanding prayer plant cultivar that features bright green leaves, adorned with distinctive reddish-pink veins and yellow-green markings along their midribs. A truly fascinating cultivar, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is primarily prized for its tricolor effect and unique, bright patterns.
Maranta leuconeura var. leuconeura 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
A cultivar of the Prayer plant, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is tricolored with a distinctive pattern of pinkish-red veins running through the dark and light green leaves. It is also distinguished from other varieties of Prayer plant by its relatively slow growth rate. It does well as a houseplant, especially in high humidity areas, and is non-toxic to pets.
Maranta leuconeura 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator' is a particularly colorful variety of prayer plant. Leaves of this "fascinating" plant are tri-colored, featuring a pinkish-red herringbone pattern and light yellow splotches on a deep green background. The leaves' undersides sport pink-red splotches, which can be better seen when this plant folds up its leaves in the evening. All the markings on the foliage become more pronounced as the plant matures.

All Species of Prayer plant

Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Arrowroot
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is a perennial herb found in rainforest environments. Currently, this species is grown mostly in St. Vincent in the series of Caribbean islands. This plant is commercially viable because the root starch extract is used to make foods, makeup, and glue.
Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura
Prayer plant
The prayer plant is a common houseplant and is known as a prayer plant due to it raising its leaves in a prayer motion during the evening. This plant requires indirect sunlight, high humidity and minimum temperatures of 15 ℃.
Zebra-plant
Maranta cristata
Zebra-plant
A perennial herb, zebra-plant (Maranta cristata) is distinguishable by its waxy shades of green and dappled pattern. It is an evergreen and will not lose its leaves so long as it can bear the local climate. It does not react well to damp soil and requires excellent drainage, as overwatering may lead to root-rot and other such afflictions.
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura'
Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura' is cultivated from the Prayer plant genus and is easily distinguishable by its pink and light green herringbone-patterned dark green foliage that makes it a favorite garden ground cover. The cultivar gets its name from 16th-century Venetian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranti.
Variegated Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea 'Variegata'
Variegated Arrowroot
Variegated Arrowroot is a variegated version of the tropical arrowroot plant best known for its alternating cream and green stripes on its foliage. Due to its attractive leaves, it is a popular houseplant. It also produces white short-lived flowers. In the early 19th century, it was commercially grown as a source of starch, which was obtained from the root.
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Maranta 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator' is an outstanding prayer plant cultivar that features bright green leaves, adorned with distinctive reddish-pink veins and yellow-green markings along their midribs. A truly fascinating cultivar, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is primarily prized for its tricolor effect and unique, bright patterns.
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Maranta leuconeura var. leuconeura 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
A cultivar of the Prayer plant, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is tricolored with a distinctive pattern of pinkish-red veins running through the dark and light green leaves. It is also distinguished from other varieties of Prayer plant by its relatively slow growth rate. It does well as a houseplant, especially in high humidity areas, and is non-toxic to pets.
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Maranta leuconeura 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator'
Prayer plant 'Fascinator' is a particularly colorful variety of prayer plant. Leaves of this "fascinating" plant are tri-colored, featuring a pinkish-red herringbone pattern and light yellow splotches on a deep green background. The leaves' undersides sport pink-red splotches, which can be better seen when this plant folds up its leaves in the evening. All the markings on the foliage become more pronounced as the plant matures.
Prayer plant 'Lemon Lime'
Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime'
Prayer plant 'Lemon Lime'
The prayer plant 'Lemon Lime' is a striking prayer plant cultivar that, at first, may look similar to M. leuconeura 'Fascinator.' These two cultivars share very similar patterns: thin, roughly-horizontal herringbone stripes across each leaf and splotches down the center of each leaf. Where the cultivars differ is in their color. Prayer plant 'Lemon Lime' has a dark green background with very bright yellow or yellow-green stripes and splotches (as opposed to red or pink splotches). These cultivar's bold patterns make them popular amongst collectors.
Prayer plant 'Kerchoviana'
Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoviana'
Prayer plant 'Kerchoviana'
The prayer plant 'Kerchoviana' is instantly recognizable among prayer plants. This plant sports two rows of dark, roughly geometrical splotches on an emerald-green background. From a distance, this plant can even appear to be spotted. A small yet very hardy cultivar, the prayer plant 'Kerchoviana' is a popular houseplant that can be put in small nooks and crannies where other plants may not fit.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Prayer plant
Maranta
Prayer plant are a relatively small group of tropical flowering plants. These plants got their common name from a quirky behavioral feature - their leaves, while flat during the day, fold and turn upward at night as if offering a prayer. Their unique foliage makes prayer plant attractive houseplants or specimens in conservatories.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
info

Key Facts About Prayer plant

Attributes of Prayer plant

Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃

Scientific Classification of Prayer plant

distribution

Distribution of Prayer plant

Distribution Map of Prayer plant

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Prayer plant

The genus prayer plant, often called 'Prayer Plants', is visually distinctive and requires specific care. The Basic Care Needs include medium to low indirect light, evenly moist soil, and warm temperatures. Prayer plant prefers a humid environment and well-draining soil. Common Challenges gardeners face include pests like spider mites, diseases such as leaf spot, and sensitivity to fluoride in tap water. Seasonal Considerations impact the care schedule; prayer plants require more water in summer and less in winter, and should be kept away from cold drafts. Regular misting can keep them healthy and vibrant.
More Info About Caring for Prayer plant
species

Exploring the Prayer plant Plants

8 most common species:
Maranta arundinacea
Arrowroot
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is a perennial herb found in rainforest environments. Currently, this species is grown mostly in St. Vincent in the series of Caribbean islands. This plant is commercially viable because the root starch extract is used to make foods, makeup, and glue.
Maranta leuconeura
Prayer plant
The prayer plant is a common houseplant and is known as a prayer plant due to it raising its leaves in a prayer motion during the evening. This plant requires indirect sunlight, high humidity and minimum temperatures of 15 ℃.
Maranta cristata
Zebra-plant
A perennial herb, zebra-plant (Maranta cristata) is distinguishable by its waxy shades of green and dappled pattern. It is an evergreen and will not lose its leaves so long as it can bear the local climate. It does not react well to damp soil and requires excellent drainage, as overwatering may lead to root-rot and other such afflictions.
Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura'
Prayer plant 'Erythroneura' is cultivated from the Prayer plant genus and is easily distinguishable by its pink and light green herringbone-patterned dark green foliage that makes it a favorite garden ground cover. The cultivar gets its name from 16th-century Venetian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranti.
Show More Species

All Species of Prayer plant

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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