10 Prayer Plants (Marantas) for You to Decorate Your Home!

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. I absolutely adore Prayer Plant! I’ve always been passionate about these incredible plants, so I want to share a little story from when I used to live with my grandmother.

Listen to our podcast below about marantas, it’s free!

She had many Prayer Plant planted in the yard, the garden, and under trees because Marantas thrive in partial shade. She told me that these plants were known as “prayer plants” because at night, their leaves fold up, resembling hands in prayer.

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Not only are the leaves of these plants stunning on both the front and back, but they also make for a remarkable home décor piece.

If you’re looking for a way to add life and color to your space, Prayer Plant are the perfect choice.

Let’s now explore whether Prayer Plant prefer sun or shade and discover the details of 10 incredible types of Prayer Plants you can use to decorate your home.

1. Calathea Zebrina

The Calathea Zebrina is an exotic and lush plant with large, dark green leaves and white stripes that create a gradient effect depending on the lighting. New leaves often emerge, adding to its charm.

When caring for this plant, pay attention to its development. If the leaves begin to wilt and age, I recommend trimming them to encourage new growth.

The Calathea Zebrina is easy to care for, needing indirect light and regular watering. It can also be grown in pots, making it a great option for small spaces.

If you’re a fan of exotic plants and want a standout piece for your décor, Calathea Zebrina is an excellent choice.

2. Calathea Orbifolia

The Calathea Orbifolia is a stunning plant, but it requires more specific care to thrive. It prefers darker, sheltered places like balconies or areas that don’t get much direct light.

This plant has round leaves with green gradients and stripes reminiscent of a watermelon. As new leaves emerge, it becomes even more attractive.

Ensure the plant receives indirect light and regular watering. Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves.

3. Stromanthe Charles

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Stromanthe Charles has incredibly beautiful foliage with varied shapes and colors growing on branches, adding to its uniqueness.

This plant can be propagated from its branches; simply cut them and plant in good soil.

The Stromanthe Charles is easy to care for, requiring indirect light and regular watering. It thrives in pots or gardens but needs care to prevent wilting.

Another interesting variety is the “Frog Belly,” with hanging leaves that spread across the ground.

4. Ctenanthe Pilosa Golden

The Ctenanthe Pilosa Golden Mosaic is a beautiful indoor plant with green and yellow leaves. When young, the leaves are more intensely yellow, but they lighten as the plant ages. It’s also possible to propagate this plant from its branches.

Known as the “Little Brazilian” for its exotic appearance, this is one of my favorite plants. It’s a great choice for Maranta lovers.

5. Burle Marx Prayer Plant (Maranta)

The Burle Marx Prayer Plant (Maranta) is a challenging indoor plant to care for, as it takes time to develop and adapt to different environments.

It’s crucial to monitor its needs and be aware of potential pests or problems. A helpful tip is to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth regularly to keep them healthy.

With patience and daily care, you can enjoy a healthy Burle Marx Prayer Plant (Maranta) in your home, celebrating each new leaf.

6. Prayer Plant Maranta Leuconeura – Cat’s Whiskers

The Maranta Leuconeura Cat Whiskers has leaves shaped like cat whiskers and delicate, charming flowers.

It doesn’t like being too close to windows, so it’s important to consider its placement inside your home.

This plant is easy to grow with careful attention to light and humidity. Avoid direct sunlight or drafts, which can cause the leaves to wilt.

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and prune old, dry leaves to encourage new growth.

7. Amagris Care Maranta

The Amagris Care Maranta is known for its colorful leaves and delicate flowers.

It needs plenty of light but no direct sunlight, as that can scorch its leaves. Keep the soil moist without overwatering, and ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot.

This versatile plant can be grown indoors or in the garden, adding life and nature to any environment.

8. Prayer Maranta Tricolor

The Tricolor Maranta is a colorful plant with pink, purple, and green hues. It’s also known for its variety called “Victoria Régia” or “Sabrina,” which boasts delicate flowers with a unique shape.

This plant requires ample light without direct exposure to the sun to avoid burning its leaves. The soil should be kept moist, but care should be taken not to overwater.

Regular pruning of old leaves is important, and good drainage is essential to avoid root rot.

9. Prayer Striped Maranta

The Striped Maranta is a stunning houseplant admired for its delicate and striking foliage. Its green and pink stripes make it a perfect choice to add elegance to any room.

This slow-growing perennial can reach up to 30 cm in height and width and is resilient, making it ideal for novice gardeners.

Brief History and Origin of the Prayer Striped Maranta

The Maranta Riscada is a species from the Maranta genus, native to tropical regions of South America. This beautiful houseplant was discovered by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century and was named after Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian physician and botanist.

Since then, the Maranta Riscada has become a popular houseplant worldwide, highly sought after by plant enthusiasts and gardeners.

Physical Characteristics of the Maranta Riscada

The Maranta Riscada is a slow-growing perennial plant that can reach up to 30 cm in height and width. The plant has delicate, oval-shaped leaves, green with pink stripes running down the center.

It produces small, discreet flowers, surrounded by shiny green bracts. While these flowers aren’t particularly showy, they add a touch of beauty to the plant.

How to Grow Prayer Striped Maranta

Growing Maranta Riscada is a relatively simple process. The plant is hardy and can thrive in a wide range of conditions, making it a perfect choice for novice gardeners.

But does the Maranta Riscada prefer sun or shade? Here are the main things you need to know about growing Prayer Striped Maranta:

• LIGHT: Maranta Riscada prefers bright, indirect light. It will thrive best in a room with a bright east- or west-facing window but can also tolerate some shade.
  
  
• WATERING: Maranta Riscada should be watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater. The soil should dry slightly between waterings—always use the “finger test” to know the right time to water the plant.
  
  
• SOIL: Use a specific substrate for Marantas that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. Find out more here.
  
  
• TEMPERATURE: Maranta Riscada prefers warm temperatures, with an ideal range of 16-25°C. It should be protected from cold drafts and extreme heat.

How to Care for Prayer Striped Maranta

Taking care of Maranta Riscada is a straightforward process that will keep your plant healthy and thriving. Here are the main things you need to know about caring for your Maranta Riscada:

• PRUNING: Maranta Riscada should be pruned regularly to encourage new growth and keep the plant looking its best. Simply trim the stems to the desired length using clean and sharp scissors.
  
  
• FERTILIZER: Maranta Riscada should be fertilized once a month during the growing season. Use homemade fertilizer to ensure better growth.
  
  
• PESTS AND DISEASES: Maranta Riscada is generally a hardy plant and is not prone to many pests or diseases. However, it can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. To prevent these pests from damaging your plant, regularly inspect the leaves and stems for signs of infestation. If you notice pests on your Maranta Riscada, treat them with a mild soap solution or a pesticide specifically formulated for houseplants.
  
  
• REPOTTING: Whenever you purchase a plant, make sure it has been repotted, or do so if necessary. To do the repotting, keep in mind to choose a good substrate; here at Flor de Camomyla, we use a specific substrate for Marantas. Learn more by clicking here. Maranta Riscada should be repotted every 2-3 years to ensure the plant has enough space to grow and refresh the soil. Choose a pot slightly larger than the previous one and make sure to use well-draining soil.
  

The Maranta Riscada is a beautiful and resilient houseplant, easy to grow and care for. With its striking green and pink stripes, this plant is sure to add charm…

10. Frog Belly Maranta

The Frog Belly Maranta, also known as Maranta Leuconeura, is a beautiful indoor plant with unique fruit-colored leaves. As the light changes, red patterns appear on the leaves, adding even more charm.

The Prayer Plant Marantas

The Prayer Plant Marantas are affectionately nicknamed “prayer plants” due to their fascinating behavior. At night, their leaves fold and close, mimicking hands in prayer.

This movement makes them appear as though they’re “praying” at night, while during the day, the leaves unfold majestically to display their beauty.

No matter which variety you choose, these little gems of nature will bring life, color, and elegance to any indoor space.

Bonus: Tips for Keeping Your Marantas Healthy

Caring for Marantas requires attention to detail to ensure they grow strong and beautiful. They love good quality water, preferably rainwater.

It’s important to maintain a humid environment and avoid overexposing them to direct sunlight.

If you’ve made it this far…

For you who have made it all the way to the end, wow! You can already consider yourself a true plant enthusiast, and you’ve earned my respect.

So let’s make a deal: leave a comment below using the word “Maranta” in your sentence. This will be our little secret, so I know you’ve read this article all the way to the end.

Comment subtly, don’t just write “Maranta”—say something more about it. Let’s keep this as a fun agreement between us, and I’ll be thrilled to read and respond to your comment, okay?

A big hug, from the Guria of Flor de Camomyla!