Skip to product information
1 of 2

Calathea Maranta Green Prayer Plant

Calathea Maranta Green Prayer Plant

Regular price $15
Regular price Sale price $15
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Plants you don't have to hide from your pet.Bundle pet-safe plants & save 15%.
Size
🌱 Earn $5 credit per $50 spent
Applied automatically at checkout. Valid 90 days.
Read more

About This Plant

Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant) is native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, where it grows as a low-spreading ground cover in humid, shaded conditions. It produces broad, oval leaves in deep green with a distinctive pattern.

The leaf movement is visible and dramatic. Most Calathea family plants fold their leaves subtly at night. The Maranta Prayer Plant does it emphatically, the leaves standing nearly vertical at dusk. This movement is driven by small water-filled cells at the base of each leaf stalk and is a sign of a healthy, responsive plant.

Safe for cats and dogs. The ASPCA confirms Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is confirmed pet-safe and one of the better patterned houseplants for households with pets. The Calathea Makoyana Peacock is another pet-safe prayer plant family member with a very different feathered pattern.

It spreads outward rather than growing tall. Unlike the upright Calatheas, the Maranta grows in a low, spreading habit with trailing stems that hang over the edge of a pot or shelf. It suits a hanging basket, a shelf with clearance below, or a wide low pot. It reaches 20 to 30 cm tall but spreads 30 to 50 cm wide.

Winter Slowdown

Growth slows from November onward but the leaf movements continue actively as long as the plant is healthy. The prayer movement actually becomes a useful health indicator in winter: if the leaves stop folding at night, the plant is too dry, too cold, or getting too little light. Keep it above 16°C, use filtered water, run a humidifier nearby, and keep it in bright indirect light.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed by the ASPCA (Maranta leuconeura listed as non-toxic). Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pests

Spider mites are the main pest in Canadian homes, thriving in dry heated air from November onward. They cause pale stippling on the leaf surfaces and fine webbing along the undersides and red veins. Because the red veins are so prominent, mite damage often shows up clearly against them. Check both surfaces of every leaf when watering.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Calathea Lancifolia Rattlesnake. Taller and dramatic.

For a taller prayer plant family member with bold long spotted leaves and active night movement, the Calathea Lancifolia Rattlesnake is one of the most dramatic and is also confirmed pet-safe.

Calathea Makoyana Peacock. Translucent and intricate.

For a prayer plant family member with the most intricate leaf pattern, the Calathea Makoyana Peacock has fine feather-like markings on semi-translucent pale leaves that glow in bright indirect light.

Calathea Beauty Star. Upright and colourful.

For an upright compact prayer plant with pink and silver tones that suits a shelf better than a trailing specimen, the Calathea Beauty Star has the same night-folding movement in a tidier form.

Common Questions

How often should I water the Maranta Prayer Plant?

Keep the soil consistently moist. Water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry, roughly every five to seven days in spring and summer, every seven to ten days in a Canadian winter. Always use filtered or overnight-rested tap water. The red veins are particularly sensitive to fluoride damage in Canadian tap water. Our indoor plant watering guide shows how to check correctly.

Why did the leaves stop folding at night?

If the leaves stop folding, the plant is telling you something is off. The three most common causes are: the soil is too dry, the temperature dropped below 16°C, or the light level is too low to trigger the movement. Check soil moisture first, then check the location. Read our guide to light requirements for indoor plants to check placement.

Is the Maranta Prayer Plant safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Maranta leuconeura as non-toxic to cats and dogs. The Prayer Plant is confirmed pet-safe and one of the better options for households with pets that want an active, patterned tropical plant.

Why are the leaves curling and the red veins looking pale?

Pale red veins and curling leaves together almost always mean the plant is too dry, the humidity is too low, or both. Run a humidifier nearby, check that the soil has not dried out, and switch to filtered water if using straight tap water. The red veins of the Prayer Plant are one of the first things to look faded when the plant is stressed.

Will it survive a Canadian winter indoors?

Yes. Keep it above 16°C, away from cold glass and heating vents. Use filtered water, run a humidifier nearby, and keep it in bright indirect light. The leaf movements are your best health indicator through the winter: folding actively at night means the plant is fine. Read our tips on keeping plants alive in winter for more.

Good to Know

Sun: Indirect

Medium to low indirect light works best. An east-facing window is ideal in a Canadian home. The red veins and pale feather markings are most vivid in good indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the colours and scorches the leaves.

Light: Medium indirect

A spot near an east-facing window works well year-round. The Prayer Plant handles lower light better than many tropical plants. From October to February, keep it in the brightest indirect spot available. Very low light causes the leaf movements to become less pronounced.

Water: Keep top inch moist, use filtered water

Water when the top inch is slightly dry. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use filtered or overnight-rested tap water every time. The red veins are particularly sensitive to fluoride in Canadian tap water and fade and brown before the leaf edges do.

Humidity: High

Needs humidity above 50 to 60 percent. The dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward causes leaf curling and spider mite infestations. A humidifier nearby makes a significant difference. Grouping plants together also helps create a more humid microclimate.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed by the ASPCA (Maranta leuconeura). Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pro Tip

The Maranta Prayer Plant folds its leaves more dramatically than almost any other member of the prayer plant family. Place it somewhere you pass by in the early evening and you will see the leaves standing nearly vertical. This movement is one of the most satisfying things about owning this plant, and it is also your daily health check: a plant that folds and opens actively is a healthy plant. A plant that lies flat all day and all night is telling you something is wrong.


What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll sort it out with a replacement, refund, or store credit whichever works best for you. View our complete guarantee policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March we add extra insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from cold temperatures during transit. You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If a plant arrives with significant damage, pests, or disease, we offer a full replacement or refund.Our guarantee covers the viability and health of your plant for 30 days.

View full details

Plant care essentials

Everything you need to keep this plant thriving.

Hear From Happy Plant Parents.

Who have brought Mygreenscape plants into their homes.