Prayer plants belong to the Marantaceae family, a group of herbaceous perennials known for their ornamental foliage and unique leaf movements. Botanically, they are classified under several genera, with Maranta being the most iconic, though related genera like Stromanthe and Ctenanthe also fall under this common name. These plants are monocots, characterized by parallel-veined leaves, and are closely related to other tropical species like bananas and gingers. Their classification highlights their adaptation to shaded, humid environments, where their distinctive traits have evolved.
The physical appearance of prayer plants is a key draw for plant enthusiasts. Their leaves are typically broad, oval, or lance-shaped, displaying a range of colors from deep green to silvery tones, often accented with intricate vein patterns or variegation. The undersides frequently contrast with vibrant hues like purple or red, adding depth. Most notably, their leaves exhibit nyctinasty—folding upward at night like hands in prayer—driven by specialized cells called pulvini at the leaf bases, responding to light and circadian rhythms.
Native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, prayer plants thrive in the understory of rainforests, where they receive dappled light and high humidity. Their natural habitat spans countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, with some species also found in parts of the Caribbean. This origin explains their preference for warm, moist conditions and their sensitivity to cold or dry air, making them well-suited to indoor cultivation in climates that mimic their native environment.
In terms of USDA Hardiness Zones, prayer plants are not frost-tolerant and are best grown outdoors in zones 11-12, where temperatures remain consistently warm. Elsewhere, they are popular as houseplants, thriving in controlled indoor settings with temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). They struggle below 60°F (15°C) and require protection from drafts, aligning with their tropical roots and limited adaptability to temperate climates.
Prayer plants serve primarily decorative purposes, prized for their striking foliage that enhances homes, offices, and shaded patios. Beyond aesthetics, some species within the Marantaceae family have practical uses—certain Maranta roots, for example, yield arrowroot starch, a traditional thickening agent. As houseplants, they also contribute to air humidity and offer a calming presence, though their primary appeal remains their visual beauty and dynamic leaf behavior.
Varieties of Prayer Plants
Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’ (Rabbit’s Foot Prayer Plant)
- Appearance: Light green leaves with dark green or brownish splotches resembling rabbit tracks. The underside is a soft gray-green.
- Care: Thrives in low to medium indirect light and needs consistently moist but not soggy soil.
- Unique Trait: Its subtle, earthy pattern gives it a more understated charm compared to flashier varieties.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’ (Red Prayer Plant)
- Appearance: Features dark green leaves with bright red veins and a lighter green or yellowish midrib. The undersides are often purplish.
- Care: Prefers indirect light, high humidity (50-60%), and well-draining soil. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Unique Trait: The vivid red veins make it a standout, and its leaves fold dramatically at night.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator’ (Tricolor Prayer Plant)
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with light green patches and pinkish-red veins, creating a tricolor effect.
- Care: Loves bright, indirect light and high humidity. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Unique Trait: The combination of three distinct colors makes it a favorite for plant enthusiasts.
Ctenanthe burle-marxii (Fishbone Prayer Plant)
- Appearance: Oblong leaves with a herringbone pattern of gray-green stripes on a darker green base.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and moist, well-draining soil.
- Unique Trait: The fishbone-like vein pattern gives it a structured, architectural appeal.
Stromanthe thalia ‘Magicstar’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with irregular white or cream variegation and a reddish-purple underside.
- Care: Needs consistent moisture, high humidity, and bright, filtered light to thrive.
- Unique Trait: The random variegation gives each leaf a unique, almost magical appearance.
Ctenanthe setosa (Grey Star)
- Appearance: Long, narrow leaves with a silvery-grey surface and dark green veins, paired with a purple underside.
- Care: Needs medium indirect light and high humidity. Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained.
- Unique Trait: The soft grey coloration contrasts beautifully with the vibrant purple below, offering a cool-toned aesthetic.
Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar‘
- Appearance: Variegated leaves with creamy white, pink, and green on top, and a deep magenta underside.
- Care: Needs bright, indirect light to maintain its colors and high humidity to prevent leaf browning.
- Unique Trait: The vibrant pink hues set it apart from most prayer plants, adding a splash of color.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Kim’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with creamy white or yellowish variegation in irregular splotches and faint purple veins.
- Care: Thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity (50-60%). Keep soil moist but well-drained.
- Unique Trait: The soft, star-like variegation gives it a whimsical, playful look compared to more structured Maranta varieties.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Marisela’
- Appearance: Light green leaves with darker green herringbone veins, creating a delicate, feathery pattern.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and consistently moist soil. Loves humidity.
- Unique Trait: Its fine, feather-like veining offers a softer, more elegant take on the classic Maranta design.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Beauty Star’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with light green patches and pinkish veins, similar to ‘Fascinator’ but with more pronounced variegation.
- Care: Needs bright, indirect light to maintain its colors and high humidity to prevent leaf curl.
- Unique Trait: The star-like bursts of light green make it a vibrant, eye-catching cultivar.
Stromanthe ramosissima
- Appearance: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves with faint white striping and a deep maroon underside.
- Care: Requires bright, indirect light and humid conditions. Keep soil evenly moist.
- Unique Trait: Its slender leaves and minimal variegation give it a graceful, elongated silhouette.
Stromanthe sanguinea
- Appearance: Long, glossy green leaves with a solid, deep red or burgundy underside, less variegated than ‘Triostar’.
- Care: Requires bright, filtered light and high humidity. Water when the topsoil begins to dry.
- Unique Trait: Its simplicity—solid green above, bold red below—offers a striking contrast to more patterned varieties.
Stromanthe thalia
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with subtle cream or white variegation along the veins and a reddish underside.
- Care: Loves bright, indirect light and humid conditions. Avoid soggy soil to prevent root rot.
- Unique Trait: A more restrained version of Stromanthe, with delicate variegation that still pops against the red underside.
Ctenanthe amabilis
- Appearance: Grey-green leaves with darker green stripes running parallel to the veins, giving a soft, muted look.
- Care: Tolerates lower light but prefers medium indirect rays. Needs moist, well-draining soil and humidity.
- Unique Trait: Its understated, silvery tones make it a calming, less vibrant option among prayer plants.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana
- Appearance: Bright green leaves with irregular yellow or cream variegation, resembling brushstrokes, and a green underside.
- Care: Thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity. Keep soil consistently moist.
- Unique Trait: The splashy, artistic variegation sets it apart from the more structured patterns of other Ctenanthe species.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’
- Appearance: A variation of the classic Maranta with bright green leaves, neon-like lime-green veins, and a slightly darker green pattern.
- Care: Loves bright, indirect light and high humidity. Water when the topsoil feels dry.
- Unique Trait: The zesty, citrus-inspired vein color adds a fresh, modern twist to the prayer plant family.
Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Magicstar’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with creamy white variegation in irregular patches and a rich burgundy underside.
- Care: Needs bright, filtered light and high humidity to maintain variegation. Avoid overwatering.
- Unique Trait: The unpredictable variegation creates a starry, magical effect on each leaf.
Ctenanthe oppenheimiana ‘Tricolor’
- Appearance: Long leaves with green, cream, and pink variegation on top and a solid maroon underside.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and humid conditions. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
- Unique Trait: Its tricolor palette and taller growth habit (up to 3 feet) make it a dramatic addition to any space.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Silver Band’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with a silvery band running parallel to the veins, creating a metallic sheen.
- Care: Prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity. Keep soil consistently moist.
- Unique Trait: The silver accent gives it a futuristic, almost reflective quality rare among prayer plants.
Ctenanthe compressa
- Appearance: Large, oval dark green leaves with a slightly glossy finish and a lighter green underside.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and humid conditions. Water when the top inch dries out.
- Unique Trait: Its larger, simpler leaves offer a bold, tropical vibe without intricate patterns.
Maranta arundinacea (Arrowroot Plant)
- Appearance: Broad, solid green leaves with a slightly glossy surface, lacking the bold veining of other Maranta species.
- Care: Grows well in bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. Tolerates moderate humidity.
- Unique Trait: Historically cultivated for its starchy rhizomes (used to make arrowroot powder), it’s less ornamental but still a prayer plant.
Stromanthe porteana
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with fine, silvery-white stripes along the veins and a purple-red underside.
- Care: Needs bright, indirect light and high humidity to maintain its delicate stripes. Keep soil moist.
- Unique Trait: The subtle, shimmering stripes give it an ethereal, almost glowing quality.
Ctenanthe pilosa ‘Golden Mosaic’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with golden-yellow variegation in irregular patches, paired with a purple underside.
- Care: Loves bright, filtered light and high humidity. Avoid overwatering to protect its roots.
- Unique Trait: The golden hues add a warm, radiant contrast to the typically cool-toned Ctenanthe palette.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Green Prayer’
- Appearance: A rarer cultivar with solid dark green leaves and faint, lighter green veins, less patterned than others.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and high humidity. Water when the topsoil feels dry.
- Unique Trait: Its minimalist design appeals to those who prefer a cleaner, less busy foliage look.
Ctenanthe dasycarpa
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with a velvety texture and subtle yellowish-green veining, paired with a purple underside.
- Care: Prefers medium to bright indirect light and high humidity. Avoid overwatering to prevent root issues.
- Unique Trait: The velvety surface adds a tactile richness, distinguishing it from glossier relatives.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Silver Feather’
- Appearance: Dark green leaves with a prominent silvery feather-like pattern along the central veins, creating a shimmering effect.
- Care: Thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity (50-60%). Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Unique Trait: The silver feather design adds a delicate, almost metallic accent to the classic Maranta look.
Stromanthe jacquinii
- Appearance: Glossy, deep green leaves with a subtle cream variegation near the veins and a reddish underside.
- Care: Needs bright, filtered light and high humidity to preserve its sheen. Water when the topsoil starts to dry.
- Unique Trait: Its glossy finish and understated variegation give it a polished, sophisticated appearance.
Ctenanthe glabra
- Appearance: Smooth, solid dark green leaves with a slightly lighter green underside, lacking heavy variegation.
- Care: Tolerates medium indirect light and prefers moist, well-draining soil with moderate humidity.
- Unique Trait: Its glossy, unpatterned leaves offer a sleek, minimalist contrast to more ornate prayer plants.
Maranta leuconeura ‘Fantasy’
- Appearance: Deep green leaves with irregular creamy white variegation and hints of pinkish veins, offering a dreamy look.
- Care: Needs bright, indirect light to enhance its colors and high humidity to thrive. Keep soil moist.
- Unique Trait: The whimsical, fantasy-like variegation makes each leaf uniquely patterned, almost like a painting.