Maranta leuconeura
Back to Previous Page
Common Name: prayer plant
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Marantaceae
Zone: 11 to 12
Native Range: Brazil
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful, Evergreen
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize

Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 11-12. In St. Louis, it is grown as a houseplant. Best grown with a soil-based potting mix and with bright indoor light with no strong direct sun. Too much sun will bleach out the attractive leaf colors. Keep soils consistently moist in the growing season, but reduce moisture from fall to late winter. Consider placing this plant in a humidified room or standing pot in a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Native to Brazil, prayer plant is an evergreen, low-growing, rhizomatous, tropical perennial that is noted for its beautiful foliage that closes at night in a manner resembling praying hands. It typically grows to 12” tall and as wide. Features oval, predominately green leaves (to 5” long) with striking lines, blotches and shading. Leaf undersides are grayish-green to purplish-green. White, two-lipped flowers on slender spikes infrequently appear on houseplants.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for spider mites and mealybugs. Root rot may occur in poorly drained soil conditions. Leaf spot may occur.

Garden Uses

Excellent indoor foliage plant for pots or hanging baskets. In tropical areas, it forms an attractive ground cover for shady areas.

Back to Previous Page