prayer plant varieties

4 Types of Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneura' (Red Prayer Plant) The red prayer plant (or herringbone plant) has dark green leaves with white or light green running down the spine. ...
Maranta leuconeura var. ...
Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' (Green Prayer Plant) ...
Calathea Ornata (Pinstripe Calathea)

How many prayer plants are there?

There are anywhere from 40-50 species or types of prayer plant. Of the many varieties of Maranta, only two prayer plant varieties make up the bulk of nursery stock used as houseplants or for other ornamental uses.

Why is a Calathea called a prayer plant?

This hardy indoor plant earned its common name from the fact that the leaves tend to fold together at night, like a pair of praying hands. Most types of prayer plant have variegated foliage, adding to the plant's overall interest. Prayer plant does produce flowers, but they're not large or particularly showy.

Are prayer plant good indoor plants?

During the night, the foliage folds toward the center of the plant in a prayer-like movement. Marantas can also thrive in filtered light and partial shade, and they need ample water. While they make good houseplants, they can also be used as ground cover in tropical gardens.

Are Calathea and prayer plants the same?

Calatheas, better known as 'Prayer plants,' are all members of the genus Maranta, to which genus Calathea is closely-related. If you're new to prayer plants and humidity-loving Calatheas, we'll walk you through where they come from and how to care for them.

Can prayer plants hang?

Native to the tropical forests of Brazil, prayer plants are some of the most beautiful indoor houseplants you can find. They're great in hanging baskets as they spread low and wide.

Do prayer plants climb?

A slow-grower, the prayer plant can eventually reach up to a foot in height indoors. They are fairly common as houseplants and can be planted and cared for indoors during any time of the year, but they're not necessarily easy to keep growing over the long-term.

Why do Prayer plants move?

Nyctinastic movement is independent of growth, which means that it is permanent to the plant's life. It is a circadian rhythm that adheres to the 24-hour clock. While this Nyctinastic movement cycle makes it look like a Maranta plant is praying, it is only a protection mechanism.

What are prayer plants good for?

Marantas (Prayer Plant): Gratitude

If you want to give someone a “thank you” gift, a Maranta can help symbolize your gratitude. Depending on the variety, Marantas can grow in low, medium, or bright indirect light, and usually need water just before the soil starts to feel dry to the touch.

Why is my prayer plant not praying?

Your prayer plant may not prayer if: It's not getting enough light. It's getting too much light. It's too wet.

Where do you cut a prayer plant to propagate?

Use ordinary potting soil when repotting the prayer plant. Stem cuttings can also be taken from spring to early summer. Take cuttings just below the nodes closest to the bottom of the stem. Cuttings can be placed in a mixture of moist peat and perlite and covered with plastic to retain moisture levels.

Are prayer plants hard to care for?

Caring for an indoor prayer plant isn't difficult. ... Prayer plant has fine, shallow roots that are susceptible to root rot. So its planting medium and its container need to drain well. Water should be able to drain freely from the container's base.

What is indirect sunlight?

Indirect light is sunlight that either passes through a medium—a window shade or the leaves of a tree—or reflects off another surface before reaching a plant. ... Indirect sunlight ranges from the bright indirect light of east-facing windows to the fainter, indirect light of north-facing windows.

What is another name for a prayer plant?

Prayer plant, (Maranta leuconeura), also called praying hands, flowering plant of the family Marantaceae, native to the New World tropics.

Where do you place a prayer plant?

Hang your plant from the ceiling in a west or south facing room. Find a corner where direct light cannot reach the plant and hang it so it gets proper light exposure and grows properly. Proper light exposure results in a prayer plant with rich, green stems and colorful leaves.

Where should I put my Calathea?

Calathea plants like to be on the moist side, but they do NOT like to dry out completely. A good rule of thumb that I like to use for these plants is to allow the surface of the soil to dry out, and then water again. Maybe the top inch or so smaller pots. If you have a huge pot, maybe allow the top 2 inches to dry out.

Do prayer plants like coffee grounds?

Do prayer plants like coffee grounds? Coffee grounds are commonly used to boost the nitrogen content of potting soil and to add a mulch-like texture. However, adding too much coffee on top of the soil your plants are in can trap moisture inside and invite fungal disease.

How long do Prayer plants live?

If you are unable to care for your Prayer Plant and provide it with the conditions it needs to grow then it will only last a few months or maybe a year. However if you're able to nurture it in the right environment then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to keep your plant for forty year or even seventy.

Are prayer plants toxic to dogs?

According to the ASPCA, prayer plants are non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Are prayer plants easy to grow?

The Red Prayer Plant is an easy plant—place it in a sunny spot, keep it's soil damp, and mist it's leaves once a week and it will flourish.

How big does a prayer plant get?

All varieties of prayer plant (Maranta, spp) have a horizontal growth habit that makes them ideal for hanging baskets, low bowls, or large dish gardens. Prayer plants grow 10 to 12 inches tall and can spread 15 to 18 inches wide.

When should you repot a prayer plant?

Care of Prayer Plants

Repot the plant if you see roots growing out of the drainage holes, if you need to water more frequently or if the plant stops growing. Don't expect to have to do this often, as prayer plants don't mind being slightly root bound.