Home › Plants that start with P › Prayer Plant

Indoor plant care

Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura

• LightPrayer Plant thrives in bright, indirect light from 150 to…
• WaterWater Prayer Plant when the topsoil feels dry. Check before…
• ToxicitySafe for cats & dogs
• Mature sizeIts height is usually 12 to 18 inches /…

Prayer Plant is a tropical foliage plant with bold patterns across low, spreading leaves. The leaves lift and fold upward at night, creating the effect of praying hands. Its changing posture and colorful markings make it appealing on shelves or in hanging displays. It suits growers who can supply warm temperatures, filtered light, regular moisture, and moderate humidity without leaving the roots waterlogged.

Shop this plant

Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants

Light requirements

Prayer Plant thrives in bright, indirect light from 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.

• Position it about 5 ft / 1.5 m from a south, west, or east-facing window.
• Keep it where the leaves lack a direct view of the sky. Filter unavoidable sunlight with a sheer curtain.
• Direct sun can fade patterns and scorch foliage. Low light weakens growth and leaf color.
• A PAR meter or PAR meter app can measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).

Watering

Water Prayer Plant when the topsoil feels dry. Check before each session, since it prefers steady moisture but reacts poorly to saturated roots.

• Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.
• Water thoroughly until the excess flows from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain before replacing it on a saucer or inside a decorative planter.
• A container with drainage holes is essential. Standing moisture encourages root rot, while extended dryness causes curling and crisp leaf edges.
• Water considerably less in winter because growth is not as active. Continue testing the soil so the root ball remains lightly moist rather than completely dry.

Soil

Use an organic all-purpose potting mix that holds light moisture and still drains well. Prayer Plant roots need air and should not sit in dense, wet soil.

• DIY mix: blend 3 parts coir with 1 part pumice.
• Finish with worm castings as a top dressing.

Feeding

Give Prayer Plant an organic all-purpose fertiliser every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. Follow the stated strength and apply it to moist soil. Avoid overfeeding, since mineral buildup can harm roots and leaf tips. Pause in winter.

Temperature & humidity

Prayer Plant prefers 65 to 80 °F / 18 to 27 °C. Protect it from cold drafts and dry heat. Maintain humidity between 50 and 60% to support smooth foliage and reduce curled or brown edges.

What to expect

Prayer Plant reaches maturity in about 1 to 2 years. Its height is usually 12 to 18 inches / 30 to 45 cm. It spreads about 12 to 18 inches / 30 to 45 cm, creating a low, broad clump.

Varieties & cultivars

• M. leuconeura var. erythroneura: Also called the Tricolor Prayer Plant, it has dark green leaves, red veins, and cream or yellow markings.
• M. leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’: Lime green leaves contrast with darker green veins.
• M. leuconeura ‘Kim’: This compact cultivar has deep green leaves, red veins, and lighter green speckles.
• M. leuconeura ‘Fascinator’: Velvety dark green foliage displays dramatic, swirling cream or yellow patterns.
• M. leuconeura ‘Marijke’: Dark green leaves combine lighter feathered markings with prominent red veins.