Prayer plants are a group of beautiful tropical houseplants with leaves that are known for having striking patterns and odd shapes. Many different types of plants are known as “prayer plants,” such as Maranta, Calathea, Ctenanthe, and Stromanthe. Prayer plants come in over 50 different species and cultivars, so you can choose from a beautiful range of colors, textures, and patterns to make any room look better. We’ll look more closely at 16 of the most popular types of prayer plants and give you tips on how to take care of them in this article.
What Makes a Prayer Plant a Prayer Plant?
The unique way that the leaves of these plants move up at night, making it look like they are praying, is what brings them together. This light-sensitive movement is called nyctinasty, and it helps plants protect their leaves from too much cold or darkness. The leaves spread out during the day to take in as much light as possible for photosynthesis. The different genera have slightly different leaf shapes and patterns, but all of them move in the way that prayer plants do.
Overview of Major Genera
Maranta – This genus includes some of the most common prayer plant species. They have broad, oval leaves with contrasting vein patterns in shades of red, green, silver, and cream. Popular varieties include the Maranta leuconeura (aka red prayer plant) and Maranta leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’ (aka herringbone plant).
Calathea – Distinguished by vivid striping spotting and undersides. Famous varieties include the Calathea zebrina (aka zebra plant), Calathea ornata (aka pinstripe plant), and Calathea roseopicta (aka rose painted calathea).
Ctenanthe – Characterized by long, strap-like leaves with striking variegation. Some common species are Ctenanthe burle-marxii, also known as the “fishbone prayer plant,” and Ctenanthe lubbersiana, also known as the “never-never plant.”
Stromanthe – The leaves have a more triangular shape and impressive, tricolor variegation. Stromanthe sanguinea is a popular pick.
Now let’s explore 16 of the most stunning prayer plant varieties!
16 Beautiful Prayer Plant Varieties to Grow
1. Maranta Leuconeura (Red Prayer Plant)
This is the classic prayer plant houseplant, recognizable by its broad, oval leaves with striking red veining against dark green. The leaves fold upward at night, revealing the underside’s deep purple hue. It grows up to 12 inches tall.
2. Maranta Leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’ (Herringbone Plant)
This type of plant is also known as the “herringbone prayer plant.” Its leaves are bright green with light green or yellowish herringbone patterns that go out from the midrib. The purplish undersides add contrast. It can reach 15 inches tall.
3. Maranta Leuconeura ‘Kim’
‘Kim’ prayer plant has light green leaves decorated with striking dark purple spots and streaks of cream. Its compact size makes it perfect for desktops. Grows up to 12 inches tall.
4. Calathea Zebrina (Zebra Plant)
Famous for its zebra-like striping. The foliage is marked with dark green stripes against a light green background. Purple undersides make a dramatic appearance when leaves fold up at night. Can reach 2-3 feet tall.
5. Calathea Ornata (Pinstripe Plant)
This beauty has lance-shaped leaves marked with pink stripes. The bright pinstripes fade as leaves mature. New growth has bolder pink striping against dark green leaves. Grows up to 2 feet tall.
6. Calathea Roseopicta (Rose Painted Calathea)
A must for any calathea collector! Its elliptic leaves have dark green margins and a bright pink midrib, with feathered, lighter green markings in between. The purple undersides add great contrast. 12-18 inches tall.
7. Calathea Orbifolia
Large, round leaves make a bold statement, marked with light green stripes radiating from the center against a dark green background. Can reach 2-3 feet tall. The undersides are deep purple.
8. Ctenanthe Lubbersiana (Never Never Plant)
Also known as the golden fish plant. This prayer plant has striking yellow and cream variegation that looks painted on against the deep green leaves. Can grow up to 4 feet tall.
9. Ctenanthe Burle-Marxii (Fishbone Prayer Plant)
Named for its fishbone-like leaf patterns. This variety has leaves with a rippled texture and silver-gray color with greenish veins. The undersides are deep red-purple. Grows up to 2 feet tall.
10. Stromanthe Sanguinea
Also called the magic flower prayer plant. Leaves have a pink or red midrib and white edges, with green bands in between. The leaves’ red undersides make a dramatic contrast. Grows up to 5 feet.
11. Stromanthe Thalia
This tropical beauty has creamy leaves with a pink or red midrib and undersides. The leaves fold upward at night, revealing the striking red undersides. Grows up to 3 feet tall.
12. Maranta Tricolor
True to its name, this prayer plant has striking tricolor leaves in shades of deep green, light green, and pink. The oval leaves have scalloped edges. Grows up to 1 foot tall.
13. Calathea Rufibarba (Furry Feather Calathea)
Also called the velvet calathea. It has long, fuzzy, leathery leaves with a rich green color and purple undersides. Grows up to 3 feet tall. The texture is soft and velvety.
14. Calathea Warscewiczii (Jungle Velvet Prayer Plant)
A big beauty with huge, velvety leaves that can reach 2 feet long. Foliage is deep green with light green midribs and purple undersides. Can grow up to 4 feet tall.
15. Maranta Lemon Lime
A colorful prayer plant with stunning variegated leaves in shades of lime green, golden yellow, and dark green. New growth emerges with a pink hue. Grows up to 15 inches tall.
16. Calathea Freddie
This unique variety has elliptical leaves marked with an eye-catching herringbone pattern in dark green against a light green background. Grows up to 20 inches tall in an upright habit.
Growing Tips for Prayer Plants
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Prayer plants thrive in high humidity. Mist leaves regularly or use a humidifier.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can burn leaves.
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Use distilled water or rainwater to prevent leaf tip burn. Tap water may contain excess minerals.
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Keep soil evenly moist but not wet. Allow top inch to dry between waterings.
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Prayer plants are sensitive to chemicals and salts. Avoid over-fertilizing and hard tap water.
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Ideal temperature range is 60-80°F. Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
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Prune off damaged leaves and stems to encourage new growth.
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Repot prayer plants when rootbound, in spring or summer. Divide overgrown plants.
The Fascinating World of Prayer Plants
With their incredibly diverse, artistic leaves and signature daily movements, prayer plants create living works of art. They come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns to suit any style. Follow the care tips above to keep your prayer plant healthy and looking its best! Let us know if you have a favorite prayer plant variety in the comments.
Pruning and Cleaning
Prune your prayer plants to manage its size and enhance its appearance. Regularly remove yellow or damaged leaves. Wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free, ensuring optimal photosynthesis.
Get to Know the Different Types of Prayer Plants
Discover our collections enchanting array of prayer plant varieties, each possessing its unique charm.
- It looks like stained glass because of the green evergreen swabs that are brushed on either side of the midrib and the silvery-green leaves that have deep purple undersides.
- Calathea Cathedral Windows need to be in places with a lot of moisture and can grow up to 18 inches tall.
- Watermelons are unique because the bottom is dark red and the top is a mix of green and yellow.
- Conditions: The Peacock Plant needs medium care and does best in damp places.
36 Prayer Plant Varieties with Names |Maranta Plant Varieties |Plant and Planting
FAQ
What are the different types of prayer plants?
Some extra colorful varieties of prayer plant include: Red, Marisela, Kim, Green, and Black. All are either spotted or striped with bold, showy veins in a variety of colors. New leaves have an interesting, tightly rolled form that slowly opens as they mature.
What’s the difference between a prayer plant and a Calathea?
Both are in the marantaceae family, but only the maranta is a real prayer plant. At night, it folds its leaves in prayer, which is known as nyctinasty. Maranta prefer to be in hanging baskets, and they are easily propagated from cuttings. Calathea are upright and bushy, and they are best propagated by root division.
How do I identify 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.
What is the difference between green and red prayer plants?
Red/Tri-Colored Maranta (M. leuconeura var. erythrophylla): This three-colored prayer plant, which is also known as the herringbone plant, is the most common type. It has bright red veins. Rabbit’s Tracks Maranta (M. leuconeura var. kerchoveana): This variety has plain green leaves with two rows of darker splotches.