Maranta leuconeura

Maranta leuconeura, more commonly known as the prayer plant, is a tropical herbaceous perennial native to South America.  Prized for their exquisite decorative foliage, tricolor prayer plants produce large, oval leaves that have a meandering light green center column surrounded by a wide dark emerald green border and an overlay of smooth reddish-orange veins.  Not only are the leaves beautiful, but they also move with the sun. Throughout the day, the leaves lie flat to absorb as much of the overhead sunlight as possible, then lift up to catch more rays as the light comes across at a lower angle while the sun falls below the horizon.  This positioning, in conjunction with the unique patterning, has led to a few supposed origins of the plant's common name.  The unique positioning is thought to resemble hands in prayer, while the leaves' aesthetic looks similar to the stained-glass windows of a cathedral.  Towards the end of spring, white or purple tubular blooms that stretch out on long stems are produced.  As prayer plants are completely non-toxic, they are safe to keep potted or planted around children and pets.  

To preserve the health and rich coloration of the foliage, provide prayer plants with a location that is shielded from direct sun exposure and instead receives abundant indirect sunlight.  During the winter, prayer plants may enter a period of dormancy in which they will begin to die back, and should promptly be placed in brighter conditions.  Well-draining, acidic potting mixes that contain peat moss, loam, and either some sand or perlite should be ideal for growing prayer plants.  Water prayer plants whenever the top layer of soil has dried out, never allowing it to completely dry out while also avoiding oversaturation.  Yellowing or dropping leaves can indicate that the plant is being over or under-watered, so take extra care in regulating its hydration.  Highly humid, temperate to warm environments are ideal for growing prayer plants, with them being easily cared for indoors if kept over a tray of pebbles or provided with a humidifier.  Feed prayer plants with a half-concentration of water-soluble houseplant fertilizer twice monthly during the growing season, but cut back to only once a month during the winter.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water generously when surface of mix is dry.

Maranta Leuconeura

Maranta leuconeura

Gallery

Share With Your Friends

How to Grow

Characteristics

Benefits

Ornamental

More Info

Taxonomy