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Prayer plants are a group of gorgeous tropical houseplants known for their strikingly patterned and uniquely shaped leaves. There are several genera that fall under the common name “prayer plant”, including Maranta, Calathea, Ctenanthe, and Stromanthe. With over 50 different species and cultivars to choose from, prayer plants offer a stunning array of colors, textures, and designs to enhance any indoor space. In this article, we will take a closer look at 16 of the most popular prayer plant varieties and provide tips on how to care for these beauties.
What Makes a Prayer Plant a Prayer Plant?
The characteristic that unites this group of plants is the unique way their leaves move upwards at night, seeming to fold together in an act of prayer. This photosensitive movement is known as nyctinasty and it allows the plants to protect their foliage from excessive cold or darkness. During the day, the leaves extend outwards to absorb as much light as possible for photosynthesis. The different genera have slightly varied leaf shapes and patterns, but all display the signature prayer plant movements.
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. Common species include Ctenanthe lubbersiana (aka never never plant) and Ctenanthe burle-marxii (aka fishbone prayer 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)
Also called the herringbone prayer plant, this variety has vivid green leaves with light green or yellowish herringbone patterns emanating 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.
- Distinctive traits: Stained glass appearance with green swipes of evergreen brushed on either side of the midrib against silvery-green leaves with deep purple undersides.
- Requirements: Calathea Cathedral Windows can grow up to 18 inches tall and do best in high-humidity areas.
- Distinctive traits: Watermelon colors of dark red on the bottom and variegated green and yellow on the top.
- Requirements: A medium-care plant, the Peacock Plant thrives in humid environments.
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 belong to the family marantaceae, but only the maranta are true prayer plants, folding their leaves in prayer at night (that’s called 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 tri-colored prayer plant, also called the herringbone plant, is the most common variety and features bold red veins. Rabbit’s Tracks Maranta (M. leuconeura var. kerchoveana): This variety has plain green leaves with two rows of darker splotches.