How much light does it need?

Maranta leuconeura prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its leaves.

What kind of soil is best?

A well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based blend with perlite, works well.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Does it need high humidity?

Yes, it thrives in high humidity. You can increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or placing it near a humidifier.

Yes, it can be propagated by division or stem cuttings.

Plant guide

Prayer Plant.

Maranta leuconeura

Pronounced mah-RAN-tah loo-koh-NEW-rah

Also known as prayerplant, ten-commandments

The Prayer Plant is a popular houseplant known for its striking foliage that folds upward at night, resembling praying hands. It brings a touch of the tropics indoors with its vibrant, patterned leaves. This plant is a wonderful choice for adding color and movement to your home.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herbaceous plant
Light: Bright, indirect light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Spring to fall

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide high humidity to mimic its native environment. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves, and watch for brown leaf tips, which indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry; use distilled or rainwater if possible.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly to maintain shape or remove any yellowing or damaged leaves.
Repotting: Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring when the plant becomes root-bound.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.0
Temperature: 18 to 24°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years indoors with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains through the pot very quickly.
Plant growth appears stunted despite good care.
The soil surface is consistently covered with roots.

Safety

People: This plant is not considered toxic to humans if ingested in small amounts, but it's best to avoid eating it.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: While not toxic, ingestion of large amounts could cause mild stomach upset in children. The leaves are generally soft and pose no sharp hazard.
Contact allergens: No significant contact allergens are known for this plant.
Airborne allergens: No significant respiratory allergens are known for this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Oval leaves with prominent venation
Leaves fold upward at night
Velvety texture on leaves
Distinctive red or green venation patterns
Low-growing, spreading habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: Green, Red, Cream, Dark green, evergreen
Flowers: White, Pink, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

Spider mites — Tiny pests that create fine webbing and cause stippling on leaves, especially in dry conditions.
Mealybugs — Small, white, cottony insects that feed on plant sap, often found in leaf axils.
Leaf spot — Fungal or bacterial infections causing spots on leaves, often exacerbated by overwatering or poor air circulation.
Brown leaf tips — Usually caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, or mineral buildup from tap water.

Growing it

Propagation: Division, Stem cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Indoors, maintain consistent watering and humidity. Avoid placing near heat vents or drafty windows. If humidity drops significantly, consider using a humidifier or pebble tray.
In containers: Grows very well in containers, with a minimum pot size of 6 inches recommended for young plants, increasing as it matures.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Carefully tease apart the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots.
Pot each division into its own container with fresh potting mix.
Water thoroughly and keep in a warm, humid location until established.

Stem Cuttings

Take stem cuttings about 4-6 inches long, ensuring each has at least one node.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
Place the cut end in water or moist potting mix.
Keep in a warm place with bright, indirect light.
Roots should form in a few weeks; pot up once roots are well-developed.

Group Maranta with other tropical understory plants that appreciate high humidity and indirect light to create a cohesive display.

Grows well with

Ferns — Ferns share similar light and humidity requirements, creating a lush, tropical understory look.
Calatheas — Calatheas, also known as 'peacock plants', have similar needs for humidity and indirect light, and their varied foliage complements Maranta.
Peperomias — Many Peperomias prefer similar conditions of moderate light and consistent moisture, and their diverse textures add interest.

Keep away from

Direct Sunlight — Intense direct sunlight can quickly scorch and damage the delicate leaves of Maranta leuconeura.
Dry Air — Low humidity can lead to brown, crispy leaf tips and edges, which are difficult to reverse.
Overwatering — Constantly soggy soil can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

Similar species

Calathea orbifolia — Shares similar high humidity needs and striking, patterned foliage, though Calathea leaves are typically larger and rounder.
Stromanthe sanguinea — Also a member of the Marantaceae family, it has colorful foliage and similar care requirements, often with vibrant pink undersides.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana — Another relative with attractive, variegated leaves that prefers similar warm, humid conditions and indirect light.

Science

Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Maranta
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Brazil
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, Maranta leuconeura grows on the forest floor, benefiting from the shade and high humidity provided by the rainforest canopy.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Air purifier

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How much light does it need?: Maranta leuconeura prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its leaves.
What kind of soil is best?: A well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based blend with perlite, works well.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Does it need high humidity?: Yes, it thrives in high humidity. You can increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or placing it near a humidifier.
Can I propagate it?: Yes, it can be propagated by division or stem cuttings.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Maranta' honors Bartolomeo Maranta, a 16th-century Italian physician and botanist. The species name 'leuconeura' comes from Greek words 'leukos' (white) and 'neuron' (vein), referring to the white or pale veins on some varieties.

Good to know

Its leaves move in response to light levels, folding up at night and opening during the day.
It's native to tropical rainforests of Brazil.
The 'red' variety, Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura, has striking red veins.
It's a popular houseplant known for its striking foliage patterns.

Is your prayer plant looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.