Prayer Plants

Daily leaf movement, stripes, spots and coloured undersides define prayer plants. Maranta spreads low across the pot, while Goeppertia and Ctenanthe build fuller clumps with a taller, more layered outline.

Substrate help

Keep prayer plant roots evenly moist, not packed

Fine-rooted Goeppertia, Maranta, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe need a mix that holds even moisture without collapsing into dense soil.

Shop Prayer Plant Mix Starter Shop Substrate Sets

Ctenanthe burle-marxii

€12,00

Ctenanthe lubbersiana 'Golden Mosaic'

From €9,75

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

€116,50

Ctenanthe ‘Amagris’

€12,00

Ctenanthe ‘Compactstar’

€31,25

Goeppertia (Calathea) concinna leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia concinnaSold out

Three upright orange flower heads above the rippled leaves of Goeppertia 'Candela'

Goeppertia crocata ‘Candela’

€20,50

Goeppertia (Calathea) dressleri 'Helen Kennedy' leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia dressleri ‘Helen Kennedy’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) elliptica 'Vittata' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia elliptica ‘Vittata’Sold out

Goeppertia insignis

From €9,75

Goeppertia (Calathea) kegeljanii 'Network' leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia kegeljanii NetworkSold out

Close-up of Goeppertia ‘White Fusion’ foliage with white, green and lilac variegation

Goeppertia lietzei ‘Fusion White’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) louisae 'Maui Queen' leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia louisae ‘Maui Queen’Sold out

Goeppertia makoyana

From €9,75

Goeppertia orbifolia

From €9,75

Goeppertia ornata

From €25,50

Single Goeppertia 'Argentea' leaf with a silvery centre and dark green border.

Goeppertia picturata ‘Argentea’

€31,25

Goeppertia (Calathea) roseopicta 'Angela' leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Angela’Sold out

Close view of Goeppertia 'Dottie' foliage showing dark glossy leaves and burgundy backs

Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Dottie’Sold out

Overlapping Goeppertia 'Medallion' leaves with green ring patterns and purple backs

Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Medallion’

From €16,75

Goeppertia Princess Jessie, also Calathea, foliage close-up with patterned green leaves.

Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Princess Jessie’

From €9,25

Goeppertia (Calathea) roseopicta 'Silvia' leaf close-up on white background.

Goeppertia roseopicta ‘Silvia’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia rufibarbaSold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba 'Blue Grass' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Blue Grass’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba 'Elgergrass' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Elgergrass’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) rufibarba 'Tropistar' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Tropistar’Sold out

Elongated green Goeppertia 'Wavestar' leaf showing a pronounced rippled margin

Goeppertia rufibarba ‘Wavestar’

€34,75

Goeppertia warszewiczii

€39,75

Goeppertia zebrina

€16,75

Close-up of a Calathea 'Beauty Star' leaf with fine lime stripes and a dark green edge

Goeppertia ‘Beauty Star’

€9,75

Goeppertia (Calathea) veitchiana 'Flamestar' leaf close-up on white background.

Goeppertia ‘Flamestar’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) concinna 'Freddie' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia ‘Freddie’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) lietzei ‘Yellow Fusion’ ('Yellow Miracle') leaf detail on white background.

Goeppertia ‘Fusion Yellow’Sold out

Goeppertia (Calathea) 'Greenstar' close-up of leaf on white background.

Goeppertia ‘Greenstar’Sold out

Overlapping Goeppertia majestica 'White Star' leaves with white stripes and a soft pink blush.

Goeppertia ‘Whitestar’

€34,50

€64,05

Maranta cristata 'Intense' leaf detail on white background.

Maranta cristata 'Intense'Sold out

Maranta Cat Moustache prayer plant foliage close-up with patterned green leaves.

Maranta leuconeura 'Exclusive Dark' / Cat Moustache

€12,00

Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator’ leaf with red veins and dark paired markings

Maranta leuconeura 'Fascinator' ('Tricolor', 'Red Stripe')

From €8,50

Close-up of Maranta Lemon Lime foliage with green leaves and contrasting lime veins

Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime'

€10,75

Upright Maranta 'Light Veins' leaf showing its symmetrical veining and maroon pattern.

Maranta leuconeura 'Light Veins' ('Fantasy')

€10,75

Maranta leuconeura 'Silver Band' ('Exclusive Grey')

€15,00

Close-up of a variegated Maranta leaf with cream streaks and dark green oval markings

Maranta leuconeura Variegata

€12,75

Maranta Collection plant set with six patterned Maranta plants in individual nursery pots

Plant Set: Maranta Collection

€59,95

€68,75

Prayer Plant Babies plant set with four young patterned plants lined up in nursery pots

Plant Set: Prayer Plant BabiesSold out

Pleiostachya pruinosa leaf close-up on white background.

Pleiostachya pruinosaSold out

Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star' close-up of leaf on white background.

Stromanthe thalia 'Magic Star'Sold out

Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar' leaf close-up on white background.

Stromanthe thalia 'Stripestar'Sold out

Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar'

€36,00

Marantaceae

Prayer Plants

The common name usually refers to members of Marantaceae such as Maranta, Goeppertia and Ctenanthe. Many have visible day-night leaf movement driven by the pulvinus at the leaf base.

Botanical Profile

The common name usually refers to members of Marantaceae such as Maranta, Goeppertia and Ctenanthe. Many have visible day-night leaf movement driven by the pulvinus at the leaf base.

Details & Care

Prayer plants compared by genus and growth habit

Prayer plants bring together Goeppertia, Maranta, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe. They share daily leaf movement and patterned foliage, but they do not create the same shape or occupy the same amount of space.

Goeppertia, Maranta, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe

Goeppertia usually builds an upright basal clump. Maranta spreads on lower stems and can soften over the pot edge. Ctenanthe often forms a taller, more open clump, while Stromanthe can develop the broadest layered canopy. Compare mature height, spread and stem behaviour before choosing by pattern alone.

The Calathea and prayer-plant guide explains their shared preference for even moisture and filtered light. Thin leaf edges react visibly to irregular moisture, salts or prolonged dry air, so the houseplant watering guide is useful when adjusting the root-zone routine.

Strong humidity without air exchange is not the goal. A balanced approach to humidity and airflow supports new leaves without keeping the canopy stagnant. Safety is checked by the exact botanical member; the commonly sold members of these genera are typically listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer Plants

Why are they called prayer plants?

The name comes from nyctinasty, the daily leaf movement that lifts or folds the leaves at night and lowers them again by day. In houseplant use, “prayer plants” usually means Maranta and other Marantaceae commonly sold alongside it, such as Goeppertia, Ctenanthe and Stromanthe.

Do prayer plants like low light?

They tolerate lower indirect light better than harsh sun, but most grow best in bright indirect light. Too little light slows growth and can make patterns look duller, while direct sun can fade or scorch the leaves.

Why do prayer-plant leaves get brown edges?

Brown edges usually point to dry air, inconsistent moisture, or minerals and fluoride in the water. Once an edge has browned it will not turn green again, so the real fix is improving conditions for the next leaves.

Do prayer plants need filtered or rainwater?

Often, yes. Many prayer plants are sensitive to fluoride, chlorine and mineral build-up, so filtered, distilled or rainwater can noticeably reduce brown tips and edge burn. If your tap water is soft and the plant is growing cleanly, you may not need to change anything.

Are prayer plants safe around pets?

Most houseplants sold as prayer plants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is still worth checking the exact plant name if pet safety is a deciding factor, especially because common names get used loosely in retail.

Worth reading:

Calathea houseplant with patterned leaves growing in a pot

Calathea Care Guide: Top Questions Answered for Healthy, Vibrant Plants

Houseplants grouped together near a humidifier indoors

Mastering Humidity for Healthier Houseplants

Water droplets on green houseplant leaves after misting

To mist or not to mist: what the water does and when it helps

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