The Prayer Plant, scientifically known as Maranta leuconeura, is a popular tropical houseplant named for the captivating daily movement of its leaves. New owners often wonder if this species needs a trellis or support structure. The simple answer is that the Prayer Plant does not climb; its stems lack the specialized organs, like aerial roots or tendrils, required for true vertical ascent. Instead, Maranta leuconeura is defined by a low-growing, ground-hugging habit that causes its stems to spread outward and trail gracefully. This creeping nature shapes both its appearance and its care requirements in a home environment.
The True Growth Habit: Creeping and Spreading
The natural growth mechanism of the Prayer Plant is fundamentally horizontal, reflecting its origins as a forest floor plant in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It is characterized as rhizomatous, meaning it spreads primarily through modified underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes act as storage organs, allowing the plant to colonize an area by pushing new shoots and leaves upward.
The above-ground stems emerge from these rhizomes and initially grow upright, giving the plant a bushy, clumping appearance. As the stems lengthen and the plant matures, they lack the structural rigidity or specialized anchors to maintain a vertical posture. The stems eventually succumb to gravity, causing them to weep or trail over the edge of a container.
True climbers, such as Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or many Philodendron species, produce adventitious aerial roots designed to adhere to surfaces for vertical support. The Prayer Plant lacks these climbing roots, instead using its stems to spread out across the ground, forming dense mats of foliage in its native habitat. This lateral growth pattern is highly effective for a plant that naturally grows under the dense canopy of larger trees. In a hanging basket, the stems will cascade, sometimes reaching lengths of three or four feet.
The Mechanics of Leaf Movement
The most distinctive feature of the Maranta leuconeura is the rhythmic, vertical motion of its leaves, a phenomenon known as nyctinasty. This “sleep movement” earned the plant its common name, as the leaves lie flat during the day to capture light and fold upward at night, resembling hands pressed in prayer. This movement is governed by the plant’s internal circadian rhythm, acting on a roughly 24-hour cycle in response to light changes.
The mechanism driving this motion is centered in a specialized, joint-like structure called the pulvinus, located at the base of the leaf stalk. The pulvinus is composed of motor cells that regulate the leaf’s position by rapidly changing their turgor pressure—the internal water pressure within the cells. At dusk, specific motor cells lose turgor pressure as water and ions move out, causing the leaf to fold upward. The reverse process occurs at dawn, with the motor cells regaining pressure to flatten the leaf for photosynthesis.
While the exact evolutionary advantage of nyctinasty is still debated, several theories suggest its purpose relates to survival in the rainforest understory. The movement may help optimize light absorption by adjusting the leaf angle during the day and reducing water loss at night. Folding the leaves vertically may also prevent water from collecting on the foliage overnight, which can deter fungal growth.
Practical Management of Trailing Growth
Managing the Prayer Plant’s natural tendency to spread and trail is a straightforward process that allows owners to influence its shape and density. Because the stems naturally lengthen over time, they can occasionally become “leggy,” developing long, spindly sections with fewer leaves. Light pruning is an effective way to address this and encourage a fuller, more compact appearance.
To prune, use sharp, clean shears to cut the stem just above a leaf node—the slightly swollen point where a leaf emerges. This action stimulates the plant to branch out at that point, producing new shoots and contributing to a bushier habit. These pruned stem sections, which should contain at least one node, can be used for propagation or replanted into the mother pot for increased density.
For container choice, selecting a wide, shallow pot accommodates the plant’s horizontal rhizome growth pattern. Alternatively, placing the plant in a hanging basket or on a high shelf allows its trailing stems to cascade freely, showcasing its natural weeping form. Propagation can also be achieved by carefully dividing the rhizome clumps during repotting, ensuring each separated section has a healthy mass of roots and several stems.