Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
Widely known as the prayer plant, *Maranta leuconeura* is notable for its striking, two-toned foliage and its unique diurnal rhythm, folding its leaves up at night in a manner resembling hands in prayer. It is a rhizomatous perennial that spreads easily, making it an excellent groundcover or houseplant.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant has evergreen, oval leaves that are typically two-colored, greenish, and shiny. The leaves can reach up to 12 cm long. The undersides of the leaves vary in color, ranging from light green to deep red. Small, white to purple flowers appear during the growing season, and the leaves are arranged in crowded clumps.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Brazilian tropical forests.
Cultivation notes
As a rainforest native, it prefers bright indirect sunlight, high humidity, and well-drained soil with high humus content; acidic, clay, or loam soils are tolerable. It requires moist soil and monthly fertilization during the growing season (spring and summer), and should be kept at daytime temperatures of 21–27 °C and night temperatures of 16–21 °C, avoiding standing water and direct sunlight.
History & etymology
The specific epithet leuconeura means "white-veined," referring to the leaves. The common name 'prayer plant' comes from its habit of folding its leaves up at night, an example of a diurnal rhythm.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
- —
- Native To
- Brazil
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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