Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The stunning Maranta leuconeura, or Prayer plant, is a low-growing tropical perennial valued for its patterned evergreen foliage and unique leaf movement.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Maranta leuconeura, affectionately known as the Prayer plant, is revered by indoor gardeners for its highly decorative, evergreen foliage. This rhizomatous perennial features broad, velvety leaves splashed with intricate patterns of green, often accented by striking white veins radiating from the midrib. While typically grown for its leaves, the common characteristic giving it its name is the striking nyctinastic movement: the leaves fold upward at night, resembling praying hands. Native to Brazil, this tropical beauty thrives best in shaded, humid environments, making it a staple houseplant appreciated for its texture and vibrant presence.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Marantaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Brazil
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 11-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Outdoors, the Prayer plant is suited for tropical areas within USDA Zones 11-12, where it requires sheltered locations and moist, humusy, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. It cannot tolerate frost and prefers temperatures remaining above 60°F. For most gardeners, the Maranta leuconeura functions as an excellent houseplant. It performs best in a standard soil-based potting mix, demanding bright indoor light that is carefully shielded from direct sun, as intense light will bleach the magnificent leaf coloration.
Consistent moisture is crucial; allow the soil surface to slightly dry between waterings, but never let it become bone dry. Fertilize monthly during the active growing season, stopping or substantially reducing feeding from autumn through late winter. Humidity is highly beneficial; consider placing containers on pebbled trays filled with water or locating the plant in a naturally humid room. Propagation is straightforward, achieved easily through division or rooting cuttings.
Landscape Uses
The striking foliage of the Prayer plant makes it an excellent choice for enriching shady landscapes in tropical climates or brightening shaded garden beds as a ground cover. Where conditions permit annual outdoor planting, use Maranta leuconeura to carpet forest edges or under the canopy of taller trees, creating a lush, textural contrast low to the ground.
Indoors, its restrained size and arching habit make the Maranta leuconeura perfectly suited for containers. It shines in hanging baskets where its trailing habit can be fully appreciated, or grouped on shelving units to provide vibrant splashes of color in low-light areas. Look for species with complementary leaf textures for dynamic indoor plant arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Maranta leuconeura, commonly called prayer plant, is an evergreen, rhizomatous, low-growing, clump-forming, tropical perennial that is noted for its beautiful foliage. It typically grows to 12-15” tall and as wide, featuring broad-elliptic to oval, predominately green leaves (to 5” long) with striking patterns, lines, blotches and shading. Its leaves fold upward at night in a manner resembling praying hands, lending it its common name.
Tolerances
(No data available)
Potential Problems
Gardeners should remain vigilant for common houseplant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips, which can appear, especially in dry indoor environments. Root rot is a significant threat if the soil becomes waterlogged due to poor drainage, emphasizing the need for well-aerated potting mix. Watch for leaf spot diseases or tip browning, which often signals insufficient ambient humidity or inconsistent watering habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Prayer plant suitable for?
The indoor favorite, Maranta leuconeura, is winter hardy only to USDA Zones 11 and 12 if grown outdoors in sheltered, frost-free environments.
How large does Prayer plant grow?
This compact beauty typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot, with a similar spread between 0.5 and 1 foot at maturity.
What sun exposure does Prayer plant need?
The Maranta leuconeura requires part shade. Direct, strong sunlight should be strictly avoided as it will damage and bleach the attractive leaf patterns.
When does Prayer plant bloom?
When grown as a houseplant, the Prayer plant rarely flowers, but when it does bloom, the small, somewhat attractive flowers are white.
Conclusion
The Prayer plant provides exceptional textural interest year-round, making the Maranta leuconeura a cherished addition to shaded gardens and interior landscapes alike. Its low maintenance requirements, coupled with its unique moving foliage, ensure its enduring popularity. Before bringing this tropical accent home, confirm your environment can reliably maintain warmth and humidity to keep your Maranta leuconeura thriving.
Companion Planting
When growing the Prayer plant outdoors in suitable tropical zones, pair it with other shade-loving tropicals that appreciate similar moisture and humidity levels. Consider large-leafed Calatheas or ferns like the Boston Fern, as these species create a rich, layered jungle effect beneath taller trees. Their shared love for filtered light means they support each other’s health by maintaining a cool, moist microclimate near the soil surface.
For indoor container grouping, place your Maranta leuconeura near species that forgive slightly lower light or that offer contrasting vertical growth, such as small Dracaena varieties or sturdy Sansevieria. The key to successful companion planting indoors is ensuring all inhabitants share similar medium water needs to simplify your maintenance routine.
Propagation Tips
Propagating the Maranta leuconeura is an excellent way to increase your collection or share cuttings with friends. The plant naturally forms clumps, making division the easiest method. To divide, gently lift the root ball during repotting, typically in the spring or early summer when growth is active, and carefully separate sections that clearly contain both roots and shoots. Ensure each new division has adequate root mass to support initial growth.
Stem or tip cuttings can also be rooted successfully, although division often yields faster results for this clumping perennial. Use sharp, clean shears to take healthy stems that have several nodes. Place the cuttings in moist potting mix or water, ensuring they are kept in a warm spot with high humidity until new roots are established.
