Medium Red Prayer Plant (Maranta Leuconeura)

The Red Prayer Plant, or the Maranta, is a member of the genus Maranta, to which the genus Calathea is closely-related. The large, oval leaves can have a herringbone-like pattern of different green and red colors, and the undersides of the foliage is a dark red. The Vittata will fold up its leaves at night, and then “bloom” open to greet the sunshine, giving it the nickname “prayer plant.” 

RED PRAYER PLANT CARE

LIGHT

In nature, Prayer plants live under the canopy of the large rainforest trees and can only get some indirect light. The Maranta is happier with less light than too much, so if you see brown spots or crispy edges to the leaves, move it to a place with less light.

WATER

These plants like moist soil, so water when you feel that the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry. They love humidity, so if you do not have a humidifier, you can put pebbles in a tray and place the pot on top. Any excess water in the soil will drain into the tray and keep the roots humid without adding too much moisture to the soil.

GROWTH HABITS

Indoors, this plant will wind up closer to 1 foot tall. Their growth rate is moderate, and the plant will go through a period of dormancy in winter.