Maranta leuconeura aka Prayerplant
Taxonomy ID: 564
Maranta leuconeura, also known as Prayer Plant, is a tropical plant native to the Brazilian tropical forests. It is a variable, rhizomatous perennial, growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall and broad, with evergreen, strikingly-marked oval leaves that reach up to 12 cm (5 in) in length. It is easy to care for and suitable for beginner gardeners as it only requires moderate sunlight, regular watering, and well-draining soil. This plant is fast growing and has large, lush leaves. It also produces white or light purple flowers when in bloom.
Common names
Prayerplant, Ten Commandments, Banded Arrowroot, Red Stripe Maranta, Prayer PlantMore information about Prayerplant
How difficult is it to take care of Prayerplant
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Prayerplant, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
What is the region of origin of Prayerplant
Prayerplant’s native range is Central, South America and the Caribbean.
What are the water needs for Prayerplant
Prayerplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Prayerplant
Prayerplant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Prayerplant
Prayerplant can survive in low light conditions, making them ideal for rooms that are far from windows or other light sources. However, for best results, place the plant less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light.
What's the right humidity for Prayerplant
The Prayerplant does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
How to fertilize Prayerplant
The Prayerplant should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Is Prayerplant toxic to humans/pets?
Prayerplant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
What seasonal care does Prayerplant need?
During the wintertime, it is common for Prayerplant plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Is Prayerplant flowering?
Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Prayerplant blooming.
Photo credits
- by @ploi-lyc
Cultivars
- 'Beauty Kim'
- 'Erythroneura'
- 'Kerchoveana'
- 'Lemon Lime'
- 'Silver Band'
About Ploi
Ploi is the highest-rated plant tracking app (4.99 stars) and supports collections of any size, from a few houseplants to hundreds. Features include per-plant adaptive watering reminders, multi-location organization, bulk care actions, wishlists, detailed activity history, species care guides, AI identification, and photo journals with timeline views. It is available on iOS, Android and web and is free to download.
