The Most Popular Prayer Plant Varieties

Houseplants
Prayer Plant Varieties

The Prayer plant is a very popular choice for many households. It is known for its amazing leaves that are very striking and beautiful. The Prayer plant is often grown into hanging baskets. It is a great choice for hanging baskets because while it can be a fast grower, it will generally not grow too much, and it will not get out of hand. Alternatively, you can also grow Prayer Plants horizontally on various surfaces, so it works great as a ground cover. However, it is only suitable to grow Prayer plants outdoors if you live in a warm and humid enough climate.

It is not too difficult to recognize a healthy Prayer plant. It will look strong and healthy, and its leaves will be particularly striking. The leaves on a Prayer plant that is thriving have a very full appearance. They elongate as they grow from a short stem in the center.

It is important to understand about a Prayer plant is that it's not a really demanding plant, but it does require some specific conditions. It'll sure reward your efforts if you care for it properly.

Prayer Plant Varieties and Types

It is important to understand that two different types of plants are known as Prayer plant: the Maranta and Calathea genus. These two are closely related but are not the same plant. However, they are similar enough that if you know how to grow one genus, you will probably have success in growing the other, too.

There are around at least 40 to 50 different species of Prayer plant. As you can see, there is a great diversity in this popular houseplant. However, the most common of all the species is Maranta leuconeura. This is the one that we typically mean when we talk about Prayer plants. This species has several popular varieties that can be found in many homes. If you wish to grow a Prayer plant, chances are that you will choose one of these common varieties.

The Three Main Prayer Plant Varieties

There are three popular varieties of Maranta leuconeura. All are extremely popular as house plants so here are their main characteristics that will help you choose the one type for your home:

Green Prayer Plant

This is the most common variety of Prayer plants. They can be found in many homes. It is the most classic type of the Prayer plant. This variety has green leaves that have purple markings between the veins. What is also noticeable about this variety is that veins on the leaves are less prominent than on the other varieties. Green Prayer plant is also known for large green spots that can resemble animal tracks. This is why this variety is also known as “Rabbit track plant”. Another name for this variety is Kerchoveana.

Black Prayer Plant

The black Prayer plant is a distinctive subspecies called Massangeana. You will recognize it for its characteristic silvery-blue leaves. The leaves have olive green and dark edges, as well as purple spots. This variety has small white flowers. The Black Prayer plant typically grows up to 10 to 11inches in height.

Red Prayer Plant

This popular variety of a Prayer plant is also known as Herringbone plant. It is distinctive for its dark green leaves that have light green or white running down the spine. It is also notable for red markings on the leaves, and this is how the variety got its name. The leaves of this Prayer plant variety have arching veins that are red in color. There are several different shades of red that can be found on this plant. Red Prayer plant has small flowers that are lavender in color. This variety typically grows 6 to 8 inches in height.

Calathea Ornata

It is also important to mention Calatea Ornata. While this is not the same species as the above, it is also popular as a Prayer Plant variety. This plant is also known as a Pinstriped Prayer plant or Pinstripe Calathea.

This plant is native to South America, particularly Venezuela and Colombia. It is characteristic for its gorgeous green leaves that have stripes. Stripes are a very light green colour, which creates a distinctive contrast with the dark leaf. It makes this variety truly eye catching.

What is important to know about this variety is that it is generally kept as an indoor plant. If you have this variety of a Prayer plant, it is best to grow it indoors and do not bring it outside. As mentioned above, it is different than typical Prayer plants, but many people grow it under the name of a Prayer plant. This is why it is important to mention it as one of the popular Prayer plant varieties.

Photo credit: greenhem

 

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