Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic to pets
Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura · Marantaceae
Moderate
Pet-safe
Low-light tolerant
Maranta leuconeura is a low-growing, evergreen perennial native to the tropical forests of Brazil. It is best known for its striking, patterned foliage and its nyctinastic behaviour, whereby the leaves fold upright at dusk and flatten again at dawn, resembling hands held in prayer. It remains one of the most popular foliage houseplants in the UK, valued for its ornamental leaves and relatively compact size.
☀ Light
Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light
💧 Water
Keep consistently moist but never waterlogged
🌡 Temp
18 to 27 degrees C
💦 Humidity
High; above 50% preferred
🌿 Soil
Free-draining, peat-free, moisture-retentive mix
🍽 Feeding
Balanced liquid feed fortnightly in growing season
Photo: Kurt Stüber [1] / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Prayer Plant
Light
Maranta leuconeura thrives in bright, indirect light and will tolerate moderate shade better than many houseplants, making it suitable for rooms away from south-facing windows. Direct sunlight, particularly midday summer sun, will bleach and scorch the patterned leaves, causing irreversible fading. An east- or north-facing windowsill, or a position set back from a bright window, suits it well. In very low light the leaf markings will lose intensity and growth will slow considerably.
Watering
Water regularly throughout spring and summer, keeping the compost evenly moist but never saturated or sitting in water. Allow only the top centimetre of compost to dry before watering again. In autumn and winter, reduce watering frequency so the compost becomes slightly drier between waterings, though it should never dry out completely. Marantas are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water, which can cause brown leaf tips; using rainwater, filtered water, or water that has been left to stand overnight is advisable.
Soil and potting
A well-draining yet moisture-retentive compost is ideal. A peat-free mix combining multipurpose compost with perlite or coarse sand in roughly a 2:1 ratio works well, providing adequate aeration while retaining enough moisture. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is preferred. Avoid heavy, compacted composts that hold excessive moisture, as these encourage root rot.
Feeding
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser diluted to half strength every two weeks from April through September. Avoid feeding during autumn and winter when growth naturally slows, as excess nutrients in the compost at this time can cause salt build-up and root damage. Overfeeding can produce lush but weak growth; moderation is important.
Humidity and temperature
This plant requires consistently high humidity, ideally above 50%, and will suffer in the dry air typical of centrally heated homes. Grouping plants together, placing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, or using a room humidifier are effective remedies; misting is less reliable and can encourage fungal issues. Temperatures should remain between 18 and 27 degrees C. Avoid placing the plant near cold draughts, open windows in winter, or radiators, as sudden temperature fluctuations will cause leaf rolling and browning.
Repotting
Repot every one to two years in spring when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or the plant appears pot-bound. Choose a pot only one size larger, as overpotting can increase the risk of root rot. Terracotta pots aid drainage and reduce overwatering, though plastic pots retain moisture longer if the grower tends to underwater. Handle the roots gently, as they are somewhat fragile.
Pruning
Pruning needs are minimal. Remove any yellowed, dead, or damaged leaves at the base using clean scissors or a blade to maintain the plant's appearance and prevent disease. Occasionally trimming long, leggy stems back to a node in spring can encourage a bushier habit. Any pruning material with healthy nodes can be used for propagation.
Is Prayer Plant toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. Maranta leuconeura is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of large quantities may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals due to the fibrous plant material, but it is not considered a toxic species.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. It is not an edible plant, and ingestion is not recommended, but it poses no significant risk to adults or children.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. It is not an edible plant, and ingestion is not recommended, but it poses no significant risk to adults or children.
Common problems
Brown leaf tips and edges
Likely cause: Low humidity, fluoride or chlorine in tap water, or drought stress Fix: Increase humidity, switch to rainwater or filtered water, and water more consistently. Brown tips cannot be reversed but will not spread if the cause is addressed.
Yellowing leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering, waterlogged compost, or infrequent feeding during the growing season Fix: Check the compost moisture and root health; if roots are brown and mushy, repot into fresh compost after trimming rotten roots. Adjust watering frequency and resume a regular feeding programme.
Faded or washed-out leaf markings
Likely cause: Excessive direct sunlight Fix: Move the plant to a position with brighter but indirect light. The patterning will not fully return to already faded leaves, but new growth should display vibrant markings.
Curling or rolling leaves
Likely cause: Low humidity, cold temperatures, or water stress Fix: Increase ambient humidity, move the plant away from draughts or radiators, and check watering. Leaves typically unfurl once conditions improve.
Tiny webbing on the undersides of leaves
Likely cause: Spider mite infestation, favoured by hot, dry conditions Fix: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, increase humidity, and treat with an insecticidal soap spray or neem oil solution. Repeat every few days until the infestation clears.
Sticky residue or small insects on stems and leaves
Likely cause: Scale insects or mealybugs Fix: Remove visible pests manually with a cotton swab dipped in diluted rubbing alcohol. Treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil and isolate from other plants until clear.
How to propagate
Stem cuttings in water or compost
Take a cutting of 8 to 10 cm with at least one node and two leaves, cutting just below a node. Place in a jar of room-temperature water in bright indirect light, changing the water weekly, until roots reach approximately 3 cm, then pot up into a suitable compost. Alternatively, insert the cutting directly into a moist propagation mix.
Division
When repotting in spring, gently separate the root clump into two or more sections, each with healthy roots and several shoots. Pot each division individually and keep warm and humid while they establish, usually within two to four weeks.
Where Prayer Plant comes from
Native to Brazil, Trinidad.
Story and origins
The genus name Maranta honours Bartolomeo Maranta (c. 1500 to 1571), an Italian physician and botanist from the Renaissance period who contributed to the early study of medicinal plants. The species epithet leuconeura derives from the Greek words leukos, meaning white, and neuron, meaning nerve or vein, referring to the pale veining visible on the leaves of some forms of the species.
Maranta leuconeura was first described scientifically in the nineteenth century and originates from the rainforests of Brazil, where it grows as a ground-covering plant in shaded, humid conditions beneath the forest canopy. It was introduced to European horticulture during the era of botanical exploration and was cultivated in the glasshouses of botanical gardens before becoming widely available as a houseplant in the twentieth century. Its distinctive patterned foliage and the striking folding behaviour of its leaves have made it a subject of botanical curiosity and popular affection, and it remains closely associated with the broader group of decorative foliage plants from the Marantaceae family.
Varieties to know
Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura
Known as the Herringbone Plant; features vivid red veins on deep green leaves, considered the most visually striking variety.
Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana
Pale green leaves with dark brownish-green blotches arranged symmetrically along the midrib; one of the most widely grown forms.
Maranta leuconeura var. leuconeura
The type variety; deep green leaves with silver or whitish markings and less prominent veining than the other varieties.
Maranta leuconeura 'Marisela'
Features a fine herringbone pattern in lighter shades of green; a more compact and slower-growing selection.
Fun facts
- The nyctinastic leaf movement of Maranta leuconeura is driven by changes in light and is powered by pulvini, small motor cells at the base of the leaf stalks that swell and contract in response to light intensity.
- The common name 'Ten Commandments' refers to the ten dark spots found on the leaves of Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana, said historically to mirror the biblical ten commandments.
- Marantas belong to the same family as arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), from which the culinary thickening agent arrowroot starch is derived.
- The rustling sound sometimes produced as the leaves fold at night gave rise to the belief in some cultures that the plant was alive in a particularly animated sense.
- Prayer Plants can produce small, pale lavender flowers when grown in optimal indoor conditions, though they are rarely showy and the plant is primarily cultivated for its foliage.
Prayer Plant FAQ
Why do my prayer plant's leaves curl up at night?
This is entirely normal nyctinastic behaviour. Specialised cells called pulvini at the base of each leaf stalk respond to changes in light intensity, causing the leaves to fold upright at dusk and flatten again in daylight. If leaves remain curled during the day, the likely cause is low humidity, drought, or cold temperatures rather than a light response.
Why does my prayer plant have brown tips on the leaves?
Brown tips are most commonly caused by low humidity, fluoride or chlorine in tap water, or inconsistent watering. Try switching to rainwater or water that has been left to stand overnight, increase humidity around the plant, and ensure the compost does not dry out completely between waterings.
How often should I water a prayer plant?
Water when the top centimetre of compost feels dry to the touch, keeping the compost consistently moist but never waterlogged. In summer this may mean watering every five to seven days; in winter, every ten to fourteen days. Frequency depends on pot size, temperature, and light levels, so always check the compost rather than following a fixed schedule.
Is a prayer plant safe to keep around cats and dogs?
Yes. Maranta leuconeura is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA. It is considered one of the safer houseplants to keep in a pet-friendly home, though it is still sensible to discourage pets from chewing the foliage.
Why is my prayer plant losing its vibrant leaf markings?
Fading of the leaf patterning is most often caused by too much direct sunlight, which bleaches the pigmentation. Move the plant to a position with bright but indirect light and new leaves should emerge with stronger colouring, though already faded leaves will not recover.
Can I propagate a prayer plant from a single leaf?
No. Unlike some houseplants, Maranta leuconeura cannot be propagated from a leaf alone. A cutting must include at least one node (the joint where a leaf meets the stem) to produce new roots and shoots. Division of an established plant at repotting time is the most reliable propagation method.
What is the difference between a prayer plant and a calathea?
Both belong to the family Marantaceae and display similar leaf patterns and nyctinastic movement, which is why they are often confused. Marantas (Maranta leuconeura) are generally lower growing, have oval leaves that lie closer to the soil, and are considered slightly easier to care for. Calatheas (now largely reclassified under the genus Goeppertia) tend to grow more upright, have more diverse foliage shapes, and are generally more demanding in terms of humidity and watering precision.
