The common name “Prayer Plant” refers to a group of tropical plants within the Marantaceae family. Native to Central and South American rainforests, these plants are known for their brightly patterned foliage and unique daily leaf movement. The characteristic movement, where leaves lie flat during the day and fold upward at night, gives the group its recognizable name. This distinctive family includes several popular houseplant genera, such as Maranta, Calathea, Stromanthe, and Ctenanthe.
The Definitive Prayer Plant: Genus Maranta
The genus Maranta is the plant most accurately designated as the true Prayer Plant, with Maranta leuconeura being the most widely cultivated species. This plant is characterized by a low-growing, spreading habit, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or terrariums. Its stems trail horizontally and root at the nodes, distinguishing its growth pattern from its more upright relatives.
Maranta leuconeura has several prominent varieties, each with distinct leaf markings. The ‘Kerchoveana’ cultivar, often called the Rabbit’s Foot Prayer Plant, features light green leaves marked with two rows of dark, oval blotches on either side of the midrib. These dark spots resemble rabbit tracks, giving the plant its common nickname.
Another popular variety is ‘Erythroneura,’ also known as the Red Prayer Plant. This variety displays dark green foliage with vibrant, prominent red veins that branch out in a herringbone pattern. The underside of the leaves typically presents a rich reddish-purple hue, creating a dramatic contrast with the upper surface.
The Diverse Relatives: Calathea Species
The Calathea genus contains the largest number of species commonly mistaken for the true Prayer Plant. These plants share the family trait of exhibiting leaf movement, but they tend to have a more upright, bushy growth habit compared to the sprawling nature of Maranta. Calathea plants generally grow larger and are known for being more demanding in their care requirements.
The Peacock Plant, Calathea makoyana, is recognized for its thin, oval leaves that display a pattern resembling the eye on a peacock’s tail feather. The upper surface is marked with dark green blotches against a lighter green background, while the underside reveals a purplish-red color. The Pinstripe Plant, Calathea ornata, is identifiable by its dark green leaves adorned with fine, pale pink or white lines. This species prefers diffused light conditions to maintain the vibrancy of its pinstripes.
The Rattlesnake Plant, Calathea lancifolia, has long, lance-shaped leaves with highly ruffled edges. Its pattern consists of alternating dark green ellipses and lighter green areas along the midrib. The Zebra Plant, Calathea zebrina, is characterized by its large, velvety leaves that have bold, dark green stripes radiating from the central vein on a brighter green backdrop.
The Lesser-Known Types: Stromanthe and Ctenanthe
The Stromanthe and Ctenanthe genera complete the quartet of popular houseplant types within the Prayer Plant family. These genera also exhibit the characteristic leaf movement and stunning foliage patterns, though they may be less common in cultivation than Calathea. They share a tropical origin and a preference for high humidity.
The most recognizable member of this group is Stromanthe triostar, sometimes called ‘Tricolor’. This plant is prized for its dramatic variegation, featuring large, long, and narrow leaves splashed with cream, white, and various shades of green on the upper surface. The underside of the leaves is a brilliant magenta or reddish-pink, which provides a striking contrast when they fold up at night.
The Ctenanthe genus includes several decorative varieties. Ctenanthe burle-marxii, commonly known as the Fishbone Prayer Plant, has elliptical leaves with a distinct pattern of silvery-gray and green stripes, resembling a fishbone. Another notable variety is Ctenanthe setosa, which features large, velvety leaves with a bold, striped pattern and a purple underside.
The Science of the Movement and Genus-Specific Care
The remarkable “praying” action observed in all these genera is a scientific phenomenon called nyctinasty, which is a plant movement in response to the absence of light. This movement is part of the plant’s diurnal rhythm, responding to the light-dark cycle. The mechanism is controlled by specialized, joint-like swellings located at the base of the leaf stalk known as pulvini.
The pulvini contain motor cells that regulate the movement by rapidly changing turgor pressure, or water pressure, within the cells. During the day, the leaves lie flat to capture maximum sunlight for photosynthesis. As darkness approaches, the pressure shifts, causing the leaves to fold upward.
Understanding these genera allows for more successful cultivation, as care requirements vary subtly across the family. Maranta is the most forgiving, tolerating lower light conditions better than its relatives. Calathea, Stromanthe, and Ctenanthe all demand a high-humidity environment and are sensitive to cold temperatures. All plants in the family prefer bright, indirect light.