James Burghardt
Family
Marantaceae
Botanical Name
Maranta leuconeura
Plant Common Name
Prayer Plant
General Description
The prayer plants, prized for its beautiful leaves, is native to the warm, moist, forested regions of Brazil. It is among the most popular of tropical houseplants. A tender, herbaceous perennial, Maranta leuconeura forms clumps and slowly spreads from stems or rhizomes (lateral underground stems). The leaves arise close together from sheaths. They are large, elliptical to oval, and often marked with blotches, streaks or stripes of color. They are also waxy, light to dark green and often backed with red or purple. They respond to dusk by folding. Hence the common name “prayer plant.”
Prayer plant flowers are usually produced in pairs among the leaves. Inconspicuous, they are white with purple spots, two-lipped and held close together with bracts (petal-like leaves). The fruit is an insignificant capsule.
This tropical plant is grown outside only in the warmest, most humid areas. It prefers rich, evenly moist, organic soil with good drainage and filtered light. A hint of dry air, very cool temperatures or drought can cause the leaves to drop or turn brown. As an indoor plant it needs moderate light levels. Use humidifiers or pebble trays to maintain humidity around the plant. Allow the surface of the potting media to dry slightly between watering; evenly moist, but not wet, soil is best.
Use the prayer plant for its richly-hued leaves in hanging baskets and containers. It is a nice groundcover in frost-free locations and in large indoor planters.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Purple
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Green, Olive, Dark Green, Brown, Pink, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Green, Olive, Dark Green, Brown, Pink, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Green, Olive, Dark Green, Brown, Pink, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Red, Green, Olive, Dark Green, Brown, Pink, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated, SpottedMottled
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
