More images of Prayer Plants
Prayer Plants Overview
Marantaceae is a family containing approximately 29 genera (groups of species) of the plants commonly known as Prayer Plants. Around 500 species are known to science, however estimates vary and new species are discovered or bred every year. Care instructions depend on the genera and species. When you buy a Prayer Plant, research what the species’ natural environment is like and try to replicate that at home. Some like it warm and wet, some like it cooler and dryer, so a little homework is needed! Generally, Prayer Plants enjoy higher humidity than most houseplants. They can be a bit fussy and benefit from being grouped together or placed on pebble trays to increase humidity. Prayer Plants plants vary hugely in their appearance - they are perennial herbaceous plants which can flower every year. The flowers are often not showy, Prayer Plants are grown more for their foliage. Most Prayer Plants are grown for their leaves, rather than their flowers. The Marantaceae family is diverse, some notable genera from this family include Goeppertia with around 243 species, Calathea with around 58 species, Maranta with approximately 37 species, Stromanthe with roughly 20 species and Ctenanthe with around 15 species. The family Marantaceae is also known as the Arrowroot family, it contains many plants which are commonly grown as attractive foliage houseplants. You can find out more in-depth care information for many species and cultivars on their individual plant profiles.