Maranta leuconeura

Prayer Plant, Herringbone Plant, Red Prayer Plant

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic15–30 cm

Best known for its nightly leaf-folding behaviour, which resembles hands held in prayer. The oblong-elliptic leaves display a herringbone pattern of red veins against dark green, with lighter central variegation and purple-red undersides. A low-growing, spreading species that does well in closed terrariums, where high humidity and warmth mirror its native Brazilian rainforest floor.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Prayer Plant image

Photo by Kurt Stüber·CC BY-SA 3.0

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
15°C – 27°C

Soil

Peat moss(preferred)Well draining

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Appearance

Growth habit

ClumpingCreeping

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

SmoothVelvety

Distribution

Propagation

Take 10–15 cm stem cuttings with at least one node below the cut. Place in water or moist soil until roots develop.