Prayer plant

Maranta leuconeura

Leaves fold up at night like praying hands, with striking red veins.

Care and placement

Prefers bright indirect light, 50–60%+ humidity and 18–27 °C (65–80 °F); keep the mix evenly moist, with filtered or rain water.

Maximum height (cm): 35 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 40 cm

ASPCA lists prayer plant (Maranta, family Marantaceae) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Still discourage pets from chewing large amounts.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

Planting and pot
Use a well-draining, peat-rich mix in a pot with drainage holes. Roots are shallow; a moderately wide pot suits. Repot every 1–2 years in spring.
Light
Bright indirect light. Dimmer light survives but gets leggy; direct sun scorches leaves.
Watering
Water when the top 2–3 cm is dry, keeping it evenly moist but not soggy. Sensitive to fluoride and chemicals in tap water: use distilled or rain water. Brown tips usually mean dry air or hard water.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2–4 weeks in the growing season; stop when cool.
Pruning
Cut yellowed or browned leaves at the base; trimming long stems encourages new shoots.
Propagation
Division is the most reliable (nearly always works): split the root ball into sections with roots and leaves and pot in fresh mix in spring or early summer. Water cuttings of 10–15 cm stem with a node also work, with a lower success rate.
Pests and common problems
Spider mites are the main pest, worse in dry air; thrips and mealybugs are rarer. Chronic low humidity causes slow decline. Waterlogging rots roots.
For plentiful, healthy leaves
For abundant, bold-patterned leaves: high humidity, clean water, steady bright indirect light, light feeding and repotting when crowded. It rarely flowers indoors; grown for foliage.