22 Species of Prayer Plants
Marantaceae is a family of flowering plants that is commonly known as the prayer plants. It is a diverse group of about 550 species of herbs, which are mostly native to tropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Many members of this family are grown for their ornamental foliage and are popular houseplants.
1. Ctenanthe Lubbersiana
Ctenanthe lubbersiana is characterized by its striking, patterned leaves, which have a deep green color and silver-white stripes. The leaves are oval in shape and have a wavy edge. The plant grows up to 60 cm tall and produces delicate white flowers during the summer.
2. Calathea Musaica
Calathea musaica, also known as the Network Plant, is a species of plant in the Marantaceae family, which is native to Brazil. It is characterized by its unique foliage, which has intricate patterns of dark green veins that resemble a network, giving it its common name. The leaves of Calathea musaica are oval-shaped, and their undersides are a deep maroon color. The upper side of the leaves has a bright green color with dark green network-like patterns. The plant grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
3. Calathea ‘Marion’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Marion’ are large and elliptical, with a prominent midrib and a wavy edge. The upper side of the leaves is dark green with light green stripes, while the underside is maroon-purple.
4. Calathea Vittata
The leaves of Calathea vittata are long, slender, and oval-shaped, with a prominent midrib and light green stripes on a dark green background.
5. Maranta Leuconeura
The leaves of Maranta leuconeura are oval-shaped with striking patterns of dark green, light green, and red veins.
6. Stromanthe ‘Magic Star’
The leaves of Stromanthe ‘Magic Star’ are elongated and have an oval shape. They are variegated with shades of pink, green, and cream, with a darker green color on the underside of the leaves.
7. Calathea Ornata
The leaves of Calathea ornata are elongated with an oval shape and a deep green color. They are marked with thin pink stripes that run perpendicular to the midrib.
8. Calathea Zebrina
The leaves of Calathea zebrina are elongated with an oval shape and a deep green color. They have striking zebra-like stripes in shades of light green, white, and dark green.
9. Calathea Orbifolia
The leaves of Calathea orbifolia are large and round with a diameter of up to 12 inches (30 cm). They have a light green color and are marked with dark green stripes.
10. Calathea ‘Fusion White’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Fusion White’ are large and elliptical in shape with a dark green color on the upper surface and a silvery white color on the lower surface. They are marked with bright pink stripes and have a unique feathered appearance.
11. Maranta Leunconeura var. kercoveana
The leaves of Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana are oval in shape and have a deep green color with prominent purple veins. They have a unique pattern on the leaves, with a central line of light green surrounded by darker green edges.
12. Calathea Bachemiana
The leaves of Calathea bachemiana are large, oval-shaped, and have a beautiful pattern with dark green and light green stripes. The underside of the leaves is a deep maroon color.
13. Calathea ‘Dottie’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Dottie’ are dark purple or burgundy in color with a bright pink midrib and occasional pink spots. The underside of the leaves is a deep maroon color.
14. Calathea ‘Beauty Star’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Beauty Star’ are large, oval-shaped, and have a beautiful pattern with dark green and light green stripes. The midrib and outer edges of the leaves are a creamy-white color.
15. Calathea ‘Corona’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Corona’ are large and oval-shaped, with a striking pattern of dark green and light green stripes. The midrib and outer edges of the leaves are a beautiful bright pink or magenta color.
16. Calathea Lancifolia
The leaves of Calathea lancifolia are long and lance-shaped, with a dark green color and light green markings that resemble a rattlesnake’s skin. The undersides of the leaves are a reddish-purple color.
17. Calathea Makoyana
The leaves of Calathea makoyana are oval-shaped, with a light green color and dark green markings that resemble a peacock’s feathers. The undersides of the leaves are a reddish-purple color.
18. Calathea ‘Flame Star’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Flame Star’ are broad and oval-shaped with a dark green color and a central band of bright pink-red. The undersides of the leaves are a deep burgundy color.
19. Calathea ‘Triostar’
The leaves of Calathea ‘Triostar’ are broad and oval-shaped with a cream-white, pink, and green variegation. The undersides of the leaves are a deep purple color.
20. Ctenanthe Burle Marxii
The leaves of Ctenanthe burle-marxii are long, narrow, and lance-shaped, with a dark green color on the upper side and a silvery-green color on the lower side. The leaf veins are prominent and form a distinctive fishbone pattern.
21. Calathea Warscewiczii
The leaves of Calathea warscewiczii are large, oval-shaped, and have a velvety texture. The upper side of the leaves is dark green with lighter green stripes, while the underside is reddish-purple.
22. Ctenanthe burle marxii var. amagris
The leaves of Ctenanthe burle-marxii var. amagris are long, narrow, and lance-shaped, with a yellow and green variegation pattern that resembles a golden mosaic. The leaf veins are prominent and form a distinctive pattern.
The Prayer plants are characterized by their distinctive leaf patterns and arrangements, which often fold and curl at night as if in prayer. This behavior has earned them the common name of “prayer plants”. The leaves also often have a velvety texture, and some species have attractive colorful markings.
Members of the Marantaceae family are adapted to a variety of habitats, including rainforests, swamps, and savannas. They typically grow in the understory or shaded areas of these environments and are often found growing in the leaf litter.
Some of the more well-known species of the Marantaceae family include the Calathea, Ctenanthe, and Maranta. These prayer plants are popular houseplants due to their attractive foliage and ease of care. They prefer bright but indirect light and high humidity, and they are often grown in containers with well-draining soil.
