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Prayer Plant Goeppertia micans

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Prayer Plant:

Previously known as:

  • Calathea micans
Phonetic Spelling
GOH-per-sha MY-kanz
Description

Prayer plant is a compact tropical herbaceious perennial in the Marantaceae family from South and Central America that spreads via rhizomes.  The leaves fold together at dusk in a manner somewhat resembling praying hands, hence the common name.

Outside of its native countries, this plant is typically grown as an indoor houseplant requiring uniformly moist, well-drained, peaty potting mixtures in room temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees F. in bright shade. With care, it will develop into an attractive indoor foliage plant.

Flowers rarely appear on indoor plants.  It typically grows to 12-16” tall in containers.  Avoid full sun, particularly in the heat of the afternoon, although the plant does tolerate some early morning sun or diffuse sun. To provide humid conditions, consider standing a potted plant on a bed of wet pebbles, misting the foliage regularly or growing the plant in a humidified room. Water regularly to keep soils moist (but not wet) during the growing season, but reduce watering in winter when plant growth slows down.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for aphids, scale, mealybugs and spider mites. Leaf spots may appear. In low humidity, leaves may roll or turn brown. Direct sun causes leaf scorch.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#interiorscape#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#interiorscape#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Goeppertia
    Species:
    micans
    Family:
    Marantaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico to S. Tropical America
    Distribution:
    Southern Florida and Hawaii
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous, white to purple flowers bloom in spring on upright stalks but rarely appear on houseplants.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Elliptic leaves (6 to 10 inches long) are glossy dark green with a distinctive rose-colored midrib and rose markings forming a ring between the midribs and leaf margins. Leaf undersides are reddish-purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants