How to Grow and Care for Prayer plant

Prayer plant, also known as Rabbit's Foot, Ten Commandments, Banded arrowroot, Herringbone Plant, Red Prayer Plant

Prayer plant is a tropical plant recognized for its decorative leaves and unique nyctinastic movements. It requires high humidity and consistent moisture without waterlogging, making it a challenging species for novice gardeners. Special care includes avoiding direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn and providing a warm environment as prayer plant is sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full shade

In This Article

Planting and Growing Prayer plant

Toughness	Medium
Care Level	High
Care Difficulty	Hard
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full shade
Soil pH	5.5-6.5
Planting Time	Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Fall, Early winter
Hardiness Zones	10-12

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Varieties of Prayer plant

Prayer plant 'Erythroneura'

Prayer plant 'Erythroneura' is cultivated from the Prayer plant genus and is easily distinguishable by its pink and light green herringbone-patterned dark green foliage that makes it a favorite garden ground cover. The cultivar gets its name from 16th-century Venetian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranti.

Prayer plant 'Fascinator'

Prayer plant 'Fascinator' is an outstanding prayer plant cultivar that features bright green leaves, adorned with distinctive reddish-pink veins and yellow-green markings along their midribs. A truly fascinating cultivar, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is primarily prized for its tricolor effect and unique, bright patterns.

Prayer plant 'Kerchoviana'

The prayer plant 'Kerchoviana' is instantly recognizable among prayer plants. This plant sports two rows of dark, roughly geometrical splotches on an emerald-green background. From a distance, this plant can even appear to be spotted. A small yet very hardy cultivar, the prayer plant 'Kerchoviana' is a popular houseplant that can be put in small nooks and crannies where other plants may not fit.

Prayer plant 'Lemon Lime'

The prayer plant 'Lemon Lime' is a striking prayer plant cultivar that, at first, may look similar to M. leuconeura 'Fascinator.' These two cultivars share very similar patterns: thin, roughly-horizontal herringbone stripes across each leaf and splotches down the center of each leaf. Where the cultivars differ is in their color. Prayer plant 'Lemon Lime' has a dark green background with very bright yellow or yellow-green stripes and splotches (as opposed to red or pink splotches). These cultivar's bold patterns make them popular amongst collectors.

Prayer plant 'Fascinator'

A cultivar of the Prayer plant, prayer plant 'Fascinator' is tricolored with a distinctive pattern of pinkish-red veins running through the dark and light green leaves. It is also distinguished from other varieties of Prayer plant by its relatively slow growth rate. It does well as a houseplant, especially in high humidity areas, and is non-toxic to pets.

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More General Info About Prayer plant

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Prayer plant is characterized by its eye-catching ovate leaves, with edges that remain smooth. Each leaf showcases a distinctive dark, rabbit track-like pattern alongside the midrib, and a striking red 'fishbone' vein design. The plant exhibits a fascinating behavior as the leaves elevate to a vertical 'prayer' position at night. The underside of each leaf presents either a light grey-green or red/purple hue, enhancing its ornamental appeal. Typically, it maintains a low stature with oblong leaves that taper off to a truncate apex. The variegation along the midrib transitions from a light green to a soft yellow. This plant thrives in environments with bright, indirect light and high humidity, emblematic of its lush, vibrant foliage.