The Maranta leuconeura, widely known as the Prayer Plant, is a popular houseplant distinguished by its dynamic movements and striking foliage. Originating from the tropical rainforests of Brazil, this plant is celebrated for its distinctive daily habit of raising and lowering its leaves, which gives the plant its common name. The attractive, patterned leaves also make it a decorative addition to indoor spaces.
The Daily Movement of Leaves
The most captivating feature of the Prayer Plant is the motion of its leaves, a phenomenon scientifically termed nyctinasty. This movement is governed by the plant’s internal circadian rhythm, causing its leaves to lie flat during the day. This horizontal orientation maximizes the surface area exposed to light, allowing the plant to perform photosynthesis efficiently.
As dusk arrives, the leaves fold upward to a nearly perpendicular position, often described as resembling hands clasped in prayer. This daily repositioning is driven by a specialized, cushion-like joint at the base of the leaf stalk, known as the pulvinus. The pulvinus contains motor cells that swell or shrink based on changes in turgor pressure. This pressure change is controlled by the movement of water and ions within the cells, allowing the leaf to pivot.
The change in pressure on opposite sides of the pulvinus allows the leaf to pivot and change its angle dramatically. This nocturnal folding is an adaptive trait, potentially helping the plant to conserve moisture and reduce heat loss during the cooler, darker hours. It may also aid in protecting the plant from nocturnal insects or facilitating the shedding of rainwater.
Distinctive Leaf Patterns and Colors
Beyond its movement, the Prayer Plant is prized for its gorgeous foliage. The oval-shaped leaves display a tapestry of color on their upper surfaces, typically featuring contrasting patches of light and dark green. In common varieties like the ‘Red Vein,’ a bold, symmetrical pattern of bright red veins runs down the midrib, creating a striking “herringbone” or “fishbone” effect.
The undersides of the leaves are a characteristic deep purple or rich burgundy color. This intense reddish pigmentation is due to anthocyanin pigments, which are common in plants that grow in low-light environments. This coloration is thought to have a biological function, potentially helping the plant capture scattered green light that passes through the leaf, or protecting the chlorophyll from intense light exposure in its native habitat.
Meeting Its Specialized Environmental Needs
The Prayer Plant’s adaptation to the floor of the Brazilian rainforest dictates its specialized care requirements. As an understory plant, it requires an environment that mimics the warm, consistently moist, and shaded conditions found beneath a dense canopy. Providing this specialized habitat is necessary for the plant to thrive indoors.
A significant care requirement is high humidity, ideally maintained at 50% to 60% or more. Low humidity often causes the leaf margins to turn brown and crispy, signaling the plant’s distress. Growers can increase ambient moisture by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, grouping it with other plants, or using a dedicated room humidifier.
The plant thrives in bright, indirect light, similar to the dappled sunlight it receives on the forest floor. Direct sun exposure must be avoided, as it can easily scorch the delicate leaves and cause colors to fade. If the light is too low, the leaf patterns may become dull, and the unique movement can become sluggish.
Watering requires careful attention to keep the soil consistently moist, but never waterlogged, to prevent root rot. The top inch of the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly before watering again. Filtered or distilled water should be used, as the Prayer Plant is sensitive to the salts and minerals commonly found in tap water.