Prayer plants are beloved for their stunning foliage patterns and charming habit of lifting their leaves heavenward each evening.
With many species and varieties available, there is a wide array of foliage colors and patterns to choose from.
I made a list of some of the most gorgeous prayer plants out there, and then narrowed down my selection to 21 species and select cultivars to grow as houseplants.
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On our prayer plant tour, we’ll explore both species and cultivated varieties, including calatheas (now reclassified as goeppertias), marantas, stromanthes, and ctenanthes. Based on my research, all of these specimens raise their leaves at bedtime.
If you don’t already have a favorite prayer plant, I’m confident you’ll find one – or more – on this list that catches your eye.
Just a note before we get started, if you’re looking for calatheas, you’ll find them listed under the genus name, Goeppertia. These arrowroot family members were recently reclassified, but they’re all here.
Ready for a sneak peek? Here’s what’s ahead:
Best 11 Vegetable Varieties for Growing in Containers
Ctenanthe
Ctenanthe – pronounced “te-NANTH-ee” – is one of thirty or so genera in the prayer plant family, Marantaceae.
Species in this genus are primarily native to Brazil, but also grow in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Here are some of the gorgeous Ctenanthe species you can keep as houseplants:
1. Burle Marxii
Ctenanthe burle marxii is native to Brazil and was named in tribute to a landscape architect – also from Brazil – by the name of Roberto Burle Marx.
This prayer plant has paddle-shaped leaves that are either bright green or pale silvery gray, with a darker green fishbone pattern, which gives this species its common name, “fishbone prayer plant.”
The undersides of the leaves are a lovely maroon color, visible as new leaves unfurl as well as when its foliage raises at night.
C. burle marxii was previously classified as a Maranta – a genus we’ll be visiting a bit later in the article – and is sometimes still referred to as Maranta amabilis.
Flowers are rare when this species is kept as a houseplant. When they do appear, they are small, inconspicuous, and white in color.
Fishbone prayer plant has a wider spread than height, making it a good choice for a hanging basket. It reaches eight to 12 inches high and has a spread of 18 to 24 inches.
If you’d like to add C. burle marxii to your collection, you’ll find plants available in four-inch pots from California Tropicals via Amazon.
‘Amagris’ has silver, paddle shaped leaves with thin, medium green veins and midribs, and purple undersides. The otherwise rounded leaves have a distinct, spike-like leaf point.
Like the species plant, flowers are small and white, but appear rarely on houseplants.
This cultivar is also called ‘Marantha Amagris,’ and can grow up to 16 inches tall and wide at full maturity.
2. Lubbersiana
Unlike the highly symmetrical patterns you find on most prayer plants, Ctenanthe lubbersiana has marbled yellow and cream variegation on medium green foliage. Leaves are oblong and rounded.
This Brazilian native – previously classified as Stromanthe lubbersiana – goes by the common name “bamburanta” and is also sometimes called “never never plant.”
One of the larger species among prayer plants, it can grow two to four feet tall and two to three feet wide. Outdoors it produces tiny white flowers.
Bamburanta won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for ornamentals in 1993.
3. Setosa
‘Grey Star’ is a cultivated variety of Ctetanthe setosa that you’re sure to enjoy.
This variety has long elliptical leaves that come to a point, with a pale silver hue, dark veins, and reddish-purple undersides.
C. setosa ‘Grey Star’
It produces tiny white flowers when grown outdoors. ‘Grey Star’ can reach up to five feet tall and up to three feet wide.
You can find the species plant with glossy green foliage and silver stripes available from Fast Growing Trees.
Goeppertia
Next, I’d like to introduce you to the Goeppertia genus, pronounced “go-PER-shuh.”
All of the species in this section were previously classified in the Calathea genus.
What’s the reason for this change?
A DNA analysis carried out in 2012 revealed some genetic differences in these species when they were compared to other calatheas.
The researchers involved in this analysis determined that these species deserved a genus of their own.
So the bulk of the species in the Calathea genus were then reclassified as Goeppertia. I’m calling this, informally, “the great calathea reclassification of 2012.”
However, they are still commonly referred to as “calatheas” by vendors, buyers, and gardeners – so when you’re hunting for one to buy, searching for calatheas may come in handy.
The species in this genus originated in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.
4. Concinna
‘Freddie,’ a cultivated variety of Goeppertia concinna, has ovate, pointed leaves in a pale, silvery green with a dark green herringbone pattern.
This prayer plant has an upright growth habit and will grow to be up to 20 inches tall with a 20-inch spread.
5. Crocata
Goeppertia crocata has large, dark green leaves with purple undersides. The foliage has a wavy texture.
The specific epithet crocata means “saffron colored,” and refers to the bright, golden orange flowers of this species from Brazil.
It can be found under the synonymous scientific name Calathea crocata as well as one of its common names, “saffron-colored calathea.”
Its other common name, “eternal flame plant,” is also inspired by the showy, one- to two-inch blooms.
G. crocata has an upright growth habit and tops out at 18 inches tall with a spread of up to 12 inches.
This brightly flowered prayer plant thrives in soil that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
6. Elliptica
Goeppertia elliptica has long, pointed, oval-shaped leaves in medium green with thin white stripes. The undersides of the foliage are light green.
Also known as G. vittata, this prayer plant was formerly classified as Calathea elliptica or C. vittata, and is native to northern South America.
With an upright growth habit, G. elliptica grows to be eight to 12 inches tall with a spread of six to eight inches.
Flowers, when they appear, are cream colored.
7. Fasciata
Goeppertia fasciata has large, rounded leaves with broad, dark green stripes and midribs, and contrasting light green to gray stripes. The undersides are dark red to purple.
This species, native to northeast Brazil, was formerly classified as Calathea fasciata but is also sometimes referred to as Maranta borussica.
G. fasciata grows three to four feet tall with a one- to two-foot spread and produces inconspicuous white flowers that usually only appear when grown outdoors.
When repotting, take note that G. fasciata prefers soil that is strongly to moderately acidic.
8. Kegeljanii
‘Network’ is a cultivated variety of Goeppertia kegeljanii that has a surprising pattern on its foliage – a fine green and yellow mosaic.
The pattern is fairly subtle, being more noticeable when viewed from close up.
Native to Brazil, this prayer plant had many different names, reflecting its previous classifications.
When classified as a Calathea it was known as C. bella, C. musaica, and also C. cardiophylla. Categorized as a Maranta, it was called M. kegeljanii, M. tessellate var. kegeljanii and M. bella.
And another one of its synonyms and previous monikers is Phyllodes bella.
Putting this matrix of names aside, it is most usually referred to simply as “Network calathea.”
The leaves are oval and pointed with slightly wavy margins, giving them something of an oversized holly leaf appearance.
This cultivar, patented in 2008 and officially given the not-very-exhilarating name ‘PP0005,’ has more prominent variegation and a bushier shape than the species plant.
‘Network’ has an upright habit, growing 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.
9. Insignis
Native to Brazil, Goeppertia insignis has long, narrow, pointed leaves and a pattern that gives it its common names of “rattlesnake plant” or “rattlesnake calathea.”
The foliage is light green to yellowish green with alternating large and small dark green blotches.
Rattlesnake calathea is also known botanically as G. lancifolia, Calathea lancifolia, and C. insignis.
The leaves are extremely wavy, and their undersides are purple or maroon in color.
Rattlesnake calatheas have a fountain-like spreading growth habit, and can grow up to 20 to 30 inches tall and wide.
Learn more about growing rattlesnake plants here.
10. Lietzei
While most of the specimens included in this roundup have very symmetrical patterns on their foliage, ‘Fusion White’ is quite different, and looks as though it could have been painted by the hand of an impressionist.
Each oval-shaped leaf has a unique marbled pattern of white with multiple shades of green variegation, and lilac-hued undersides.
‘Fusion White’ is a patented cultivar, and like the other Goeppertias in this list, ‘Fusion White’ has been reclassified.
It is still commonly called Calathea lietzei ‘Fusion White,’ or simply ‘Fusion White’ calathea.
Also known as ‘White Fusion,’ this one has a semi-upright, compact growth habit and grows to be six to eight inches tall with an eight- to 12-inch spread.
11. Louisae
‘Maui Queen’ is a cultivated variety of Goeppertia louisae, also known by the synonym Calathea louisae.
The pointed, oval-shaped green leaves feature a creamy feathered pattern along the midrib, with purple undersides.
‘Maui Queen’ has an upright growth habit, and will reach 18 to 24 inches in height with a spread of 12 to 18 inches.
Make sure to grow this prayer plant in neutral to slightly acidic potting soil.
12. Makoyana
Goeppertia makoyana is a prayer plant from eastern Brazil that is also called “peacock plant.”
It seems that somebody, somewhere decided its foliage looked like the flashy feathers of a peacock, and the name stuck.
This species has glossy, oval-shaped leaves – the tops are creamy with medium green leaf margins, and darker green splotches radiating from the midvein.
Its other common name – which I personally find much more convincing – is “cathedral windows.”
This vivid moniker is inspired by the semi-translucent appearance of the leaves: when viewed from the underside, light shines through the leaves, revealing the same pattern on the leaf bottoms, but in purple instead of green.
Before the great calathea reclassification of 2012, this species was known as C. makoyana, and is often still described as such by vendors.
Cathedral windows exhibits a growth habit that is more upright than spreading, and can reach up to two feet tall and about one foot wide.
In 1993, this species won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in the ornamentals category.
You can find C. makoyana in a six-inch pot from American Plant Exchange via Amazon.
Learn about growing peacock plants here.
13. Orbifolia
Goeppertia orbifolia has broad, round leaves that are boldly striped in silver and light to dark green, with pale green undersides.
This stunning species, native to eastern Brazil, was formerly classified as Calathea orbifolia.
One of the larger prayer plants in this list, G. orbifolia can grow to be three feet tall with a three-foot spread.
This species performs well with slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
14. Ornata
Goeppertia ornata, or “pinstripe plant” as it’s also called, has dark green, elliptical, pointed leaves with thin, pinkish white stripes.
Pinstripe plant is also known as Calathea ornata and G. ornata majestica. It is native to southeast Columbia and southwest Venezuela.
Pinstripe plant has an upright growth habit. It can reach two to three feet tall with a two- to three-foot spread.
G. ornata is tolerant of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
You can find G. ornata plants available from Fast Growing Trees.
Learn more about growing the pinstripe prayer plant here.
‘Beauty Star’ is a cultivated variety that has pointed, elliptical leaves which are light green with darker margins, dark green centers, and thin creamy pink stripes “painted” on the leaves.
Compared to the species plant, ‘Beauty Star’ has patches of lighter green behind its creamy pink stripes.
Because of the reclassification, make sure to look for this prayer plant as ‘Beauty Star’ calathea if you’re struggling to locate it.
With an upright habit, ‘Beauty Star’ can grow up to 12 to 18 inches in height with an equal spread.
15. Roseopicta
The species name for G. roseopicta means “rose-painted” – but that description, as well as the common name, “rose-painted calathea,” don’t really do justice to everything that’s going on with the pattern on its foliage.
As well as a feathery cream or pink outline on the oval-shaped leaves, there are wide, dark and light green stripes, a bright pink midrib, and wide emerald green margins.
And as new leaves are produced, their purple undersides are displayed.
This species is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and is also known as Calathea roseopicta and C. illustrus.
G. roseopicta grows to be 12 to 18 inches tall and has a one-foot spread.
This beautiful species won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
‘Dottie’ is a cultivated variety that has dark green, oval leaves appearing almost black in color, with thin, feathery pink leaf outlines and pink midribs, and undersides that are red to dark purple.
It is still often called rose-painted calathea ‘Dottie,’ and Calathea roseopicta ‘Dottie.’
‘Dottie’ will reach 12 to 18 inches in height with a 12- to 18-inch spread.
‘Rosy’ has large, rounded leaves that have blackish green margins surrounding an interior that is silvery mauve to bright fuchsia in color, with pink undersides.
This cultivar also goes by the names C. roseopicta ‘Rosy’ and rose-painted calathea ‘Rosy.’
It can grow to be one to two feet tall with a one- to two-foot spread.
16. Rufibarba
With long, feather shaped leaves, Goeppertia rufibarba is all about texture.
The extremely wavy, dark green leaves are covered with tiny hairs, giving them a soft, fuzzy feel – inspiring the two common names, “furry feather calathea” and “velvet calathea.”
This prayer plant, a native of northeast Brazil, is also referred to as Calathea rufibarba.
It has an upright growth habit, growing up to three feet tall and 18 to 20 inches wide. The flowers are a showy bright yellow.
Furry feather calathea won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in the ornamentals category in 2012.
17. Veitchiana
‘Flamestar,’ a cultivated variety of Goeppertia veitchiana, looks like it holds an entire jungle right in its foliage.
The large, oval-shaped leaves display yellow highlights and several shades of green, within a feathery outline and wide green margins.
On the undersides, the same pattern is imprinted, but with purple replacing the green.
This cultivar is also known as Calathea veitchiana ‘Flamestar,’ or simply ‘Flamestar’ calathea.
‘Flamestar’ has an upright growth habit and can reach up to 24 inches tall.
Another cultivated variety, ‘Medallion’ has large, rounded leaves with a feathery pattern.
A pale green blaze lies along the midrib, surrounded by darker green, and then a creamy feather-shaped outline is enclosed in wide, pale green leaf margins.
The undersides of the leaves are purple or maroon colored.
This boldly patterned variety is often described and sold as rose-painted calathea or Calathea roseopicta, but it is in fact a different species than G. roseopicta, described above.
There is a family resemblance so it’s easy to understand why these two often get confused.
However, ‘Medallion’ lacks the stripes of G. roseopicta, and the feathery part of its pattern is bolder and more distinctive.
This prayer plant will grow up to 12 to 24 inches tall with a similar spread.
You’ll find ‘Medallion’ for purchase from Fast Growing Trees.
18. Warszewiczii
Goeppertia warszewiczii is commonly known as “jungle velvet” because of its large, velvety leaves.
The foliage has an ovoid shape, tapering to a point. Leaves are dark green with an emerald blaze along the midrib, and burgundy undersides.
Previously classified as a calathea, this species – native to Central America – is still frequently called Calathea warszewiczii, C. warscewiczii (spelled with a “c”), or simply “jungle velvet calathea.”
This prayer plant produces large, showy flowers, even indoors. These flowers transition from cream to yellow and then pink in color.
Jungle velvet is one of the larger prayer plants and it grows upright, reaching up to 40 inches tall and wide.
19. Zebrina
Goeppertia zebrina has large, elliptical shaped leaves that taper to a point, in light green with wide, dark green stripes that are forked at the leaf margins.
The underside of the foliage is green.
Known as “zebra plant” because of its stripes, G. zebrina is native to Brazil. This species was formerly classified as Calathea zebrina and is still commonly referred to as “zebra calathea.”
Zebra calathea has a fountain-like shape, growing to be two to three feet tall with a two- to three-foot spread.
This species won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in the ornamentals category in 1993.
Learn more about this stripey specimen in our guide to growing zebra calathea.
Maranta
Marantas may be among the most commonly enjoyed prayer plants.
The species in the genus Maranta – pronounced “ma-RAN-tah” – originate in Central and tropical South America.
Like other prayer plants, marantas raise their leaves as the sun goes down in the evening, and lower them again when the sun rises in the morning.
20. Leuconeura
‘Lemon Lime’ is a cultivated variety of M. leuconeura, and is closely related to the red-veined prayer plant.
It has foliage in various shades of green with bold patterns. A pale green blaze on the midrib is surrounded by medium or dark green coloring on the leaves, and bright lime green veins.
The leaf veins are raised on its foliage, giving ‘Lemon Lime’ textural interest as well. The undersides of the leaves are pale green.
The oval-shaped leaves are five to six inches long and this cultivar has a spreading growth habit that works wonderfully in hanging baskets.
It will grow 12 to 15 inches tall with a similar spread. This variety produces tiny purple flowers in the summertime.
‘Fascinator’ is another M. leuconeura cultivar, also known as “black prayer plant.”
It has dark green to blackish leaves with a pale green midrib blaze and brightly contrasting reddish-purple veins.
Another excellent selection for a hanging basket, ‘Fascinator’ has a spreading growth habit, and can grow up to 15 inches wide tall.
M. leuconeura var. kerchoveana is a naturally occurring variety, sometimes referred to as the “green prayer plant.”
It is also called “rabbit’s foot” and “rabbit tracks,” in reference to the patterns of dark green blotches on its pale green leaves.
This one can grow up 20 inches tall and wide and looks perfect in a hanging basket.
Rabbit tracks won a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Stromanthe
Stromanthe – pronounced “stro-MANTH-ee” – is another prayer plant genus that includes some lovely specimens.
Species in this genus are native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Like the other members of this family featured here, stromanthes lift their leaves at night and lower them again in the morning.
21. Thalia
Stromanthe thalia has long, lance-shaped, pointed leaves that are dark green with pale midribs, and reddish-purple undersides.
This species is often sold under its synonymous name, S. sanguinea. The species name “sanguinea” refers to the ruddy undersides of its leaves, giving it the unfortunate common name “bloody prayer plant.”
Native to Brazil, it has an upright growth habit, reaching five feet tall and three feet wide when grown outdoors. Indoors, it typically remains at about three feet tall.
When in flower, this type produces a showy red and white inflorescence.
S. thalia won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award for Garden Merit in 2012.
‘Triostar’ is a cultivated variety of S. thalia that is also called “never never plant.”
The leaves are a colorful mix of white, pink, and green variegation, with reddish pink undersides, displaying a marbled pattern that is unique to each leaf.
This colorful patented cultivar is also known as S. sanguinea ‘Triostar’ or ‘Triostar’ stromanthe, as well as ‘Tricolor’ stromanthe.
‘Triostar’ can reach three feet tall and spreads up to two feet wide.
Read more about growing Stromanthe thalia here.
Raise Your Hands
If you’ve enjoyed spending time with this outstanding selection of prayer plants as much as I have, take a cue from these beauties, and raise your hands!
And if you need some tips on best practices for cultivating these gorgeous but slightly demanding houseplants, make sure you read our complete guide to growing prayer plants.
Which of these gorgeous plants are your favorites? Do you prefer the spreading types like ‘Fascinator’ or the more upright ones like jungle velvet?
The ones with symmetrical patterns, or those with marbled foliage?
Let us know in the comments – and if you have any of your own, show off your prayer plant babies with a photo or two!
And for more information about growing prayer plants, add these guides to your reading list next:
Super! Hi, I have been reading your content. You are doing awesome work. Thank you and keep posting such high-quality content.
Have a Nice Day!
Abdullah-
Thank you for your article, I had no idea what was growing in my prayer plant that I’ve had for 6 yrs. Now I know it’s growing it’s first flower. Wow ❤
A flower on a prayer plant is a welcome little bonus! Thanks for sharing here – and enjoy!
Finally, I found a complete guide to common prayer plants in the markets. Cause sometimes the sellers just label whatever they like e.g. I bought a baby Triostar but actually it’s a Sanguine 🙁 But now I can use this article as a reference. Thank you 🙂
Hi Asti,
I have noticed the same thing, with plants misidentified. I’m really glad this article is going to be helpful to you – thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Enjoy your prayer plants!
Where can you get some of these varieties..or are you a supplier. I am in love with prayer plants! Are there any newsletters or subscribe to your info..your knowledge is amazing.
Hi Carol, Thanks for your kind comment – I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. And, in case it wasn’t apparent in my article, I am in love with prayer plants too! We are not suppliers of plants, we provide articles and sometimes make suggestions in our articles to help you find places to make purchases. There are actually recommendations for purchasing these different varieties in the article – if you go back up and look towards the end of each section and you will find links where you can purchase most of these different types of prayer plants. Hope… Read more »
Hi Carol,
I also wanted to let you know how to get notified of new articles. You should see a pop up that appears when you visit our home page that will allow you to sign up for “push notifications.” Just click “accept” when you see that pop up – you may need to disable a pop up blocker if you have one of those. Also, you can follow us on social media – you’ll find our social media info right here: https://gardenerspath.com/about-us/.
I recently acquired a plant with no ID. I’ve been trying to find out what it is. I began to suspect that it is a prayer plant because the leaves turn upwards as soon as it gets dark. The leaf pattern is very much like the Cathedral plant but I have not seen any purple on the underside. Are some all green and white or will the purple eventually be seen? It is a beautiful plant, especially in the daytime when the leaves relax and spread outward. I am also heartened to learn that it is a hardy plant that… Read more »
Hi Sharon,
I’d be happy to help you identify your plant! Would you mind posting a photo of it here so I can see exactly what it looks like? There are many different varieties and species that have sort of similar markings. Just click the paperclip icon in the bottom right hand corner of the comment box to upload a photo.
Thanks!
How do u care for prayer plants
Hi Flo,
We have a complete guide that explains how to grow and care for prayer plants. You can read it right here.
Thank you for this helpful article! I have a question though? Which type of prayer plant is best for growing indoor environment?
Hi there,
All of these will do great indoors. Some prayer plants are certainly a bit fussier than others. Personally I have found G. makoyana (otherwise known as “cathedral windows”) and G. ornata (“pin stripe plant”) to be a couple of the easiest to care for.
I hope this helps!
My friend gave me a prayer plant, with pink lines. Absolutely gorgeous. I do not want to kill it. My first prayer plant. It’s in the master bathroom “ sky light” indirect sunlight.
Is this a good place for it?
Thank you so much!
Kindly,
Jeanette
Hi Jeanette,
Your plant sounds like it might be “pin stripe plant,” also known as G. ornata.
It’s hard to know for sure whether your plant is going to get enough light in the master bathroom – especially if that is the only light source, without additional windows.
Would you be able to share a photo of the plant in its current location at the time of day when it seems to be getting the most light? That would help me give you a better answer.
Thanks!
I liked this article. I didnt know there were so many prayer plant varieties. I was also wondering if you could help with a different plant. I’m looking for the name of this plant. I’d like to get one but I don’t know the name of it. Thank you
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for your comment – I’m glad you enjoyed the article! The plant in the photo you shared looks like rattail cactus. I mentioned this cactus in my article, 35 of the Best Hanging and Trailing Succulents and Cacti, which you can read right here. In that article, you’ll learn some basics on rattail cactus, and there’s also a link for purchasing one of them as well.
Hope this helps!