The prayer plants: a group of tropical American foliage plants grown for boldly patterned, painted leaves that rise and fold at night. Most of the plants sold as Calathea now sit in the genus Goeppertia, but they share one care rhythm. They ask for warmth, humidity and clean water, and they reward it. This guide covers the group; the standout species get their own cards.
Family
Marantaceae
Native range
Tropical America
Type
Evergreen rhizomatous perennial
In cultivation
240+ species + hybrids
Pet safe
Yes — non-toxic
DifficultyIntermediate. Rewarding, but particular about humidity and clean water.
Care at a Glance
Light
Bright, indirect. Direct sun scorches and fades the pattern.
Water
Keep evenly moist; use distilled or rainwater.
Humidity
High, 60%+. This one genuinely needs it.
Temperature
65–75°F (18–24°C). Above 60°F (16°C); no drafts.
Substrate
Moist but well-draining, peaty aroid-style mix.
Nutrients
Light balanced feed, monthly in growth.
Leaves
Fold up at night, open by day (the prayer movement).
Toxicity
Non-toxic; safe around cats and dogs.
The Planters' Guild · theplantersguild.comCare Guide · Calathea · Page 1 of 2
The Planters' Guild
Field NotesThe genus Calathea
Origin & History
Prayer plants, not aroids. Calathea and its relatives belong to the arrowroot family, Marantaceae, not to the aroids most houseplants come from. They are native to the tropical forests of the Americas, from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to Brazil, the center of their diversity (Plants of the World Online, n.d.). The draw is the foliage: leaves painted in silver, cream, pink and deep green, often with wine-purple undersides.
The name change. Most of the plants the trade still sells as Calathea were moved into a separate genus, Goeppertia, after genetic work showed they belonged there, so Calathea orbifolia is now Goeppertia orbifolia, and so on. Both names circulate, the care is identical, and this guide treats them as one group and notes current names on the cards.
Why they “pray.” Each leaf rises and folds upward at night and lowers again by day, driven by a small joint at the base of the leaf. That nightly movement, called nyctinasty, is what gives the whole family its common name, and a plant that folds well at night is usually a happy, well-watered one.
Native range of the prayer plants (Goeppertia / Calathea): tropical America. Source: POWO (n.d.).
Care in Depth
Light. These are understory plants from the forest floor, built for dappled shade. Bright, indirect light keeps the leaf pattern crisp; direct sun scorches the leaves and washes out the color, while deep shade dulls the markings and slows growth. An east window, or a few feet back from a brighter one, is ideal.
Water. This is the make-or-break. Keep the mix evenly moist, never bone-dry and never soggy, and let the excess drain away. Just as important is what you water with: tap-water fluoride and dissolved salts brown the leaf tips and edges, so use distilled water or rainwater where you can (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.). Consistency matters more than volume.
Humidity and warmth. Aim for humidity of 60 percent or more and steady warmth of 65 to 75°F (18–24°C), and keep the plant above about 60°F (16°C) and away from cold drafts. Dry indoor air is the usual cause of crisping edges and curling leaves; a humidifier is the most reliable fix. Steadiness in every variable is the theme.
Crispy edges are about water, not thirst
When the leaf edges brown and crisp, the instinct is to water more, which only risks rot. The real causes are almost always the minerals in tap water and air that is too dry. Switch to distilled or rainwater, lift the humidity toward 60 percent, keep the warmth steady, and new leaves come in clean (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.).
Common Problems & Pests
What you see
Likely cause
What to do
Brown, crisp leaf edges
Tap-water minerals or dry air
Distilled or rainwater; raise humidity to 60%+.
Curling or limp leaves
Too dry, or air too dry
Water evenly; add humidity.
Yellowing leaves, soft base
Overwatering or poor drainage
Ease off; improve drainage; check roots.
Faded, washed-out pattern
Too much direct sun
Move to bright, indirect light.
Fine webbing, stippling
Spider mites (dry air)
Rinse; raise humidity; insecticidal soap.
Safety
Prayer plants are one of the better foliage groups for a home with animals: the ASPCA lists the prayer plant and the rattlesnake plant as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, n.d.). There are no toxic compounds of concern, though as with any plant, a pet that makes a habit of chewing the leaves may still get a mild, passing stomach upset.
The Planters' Guild
The painted, patterned foliage of a prayer plant.