why is prayer plant called prayer plant Prayer Plant — Ritters Garden and Gift

why is prayer plant called prayer plant Prayer Plant — Ritters Garden and GiftScientific Name: Maranta Common Name: Prayer Plant The Maranta genus of plants is in the Marantacae family, which also includes Calathea, Goeppertina, Stromanthe & Ctenanthe. Many of these plants are interchangeably referred to as "Prayer Plants" due to their nyctinasty habits, which is the fancy word for leaves that fold up at night and unfold in the morning. Quite a few of the plants also have very similar foliage and growth patterns, which just

Scientific Name: Maranta
Common Name: Prayer Plant

The Maranta genus of plants is in the Marantacae family, which also includes Calathea, Goeppertina, Stromanthe & Ctenanthe. Many of these plants are interchangeably referred to as "Prayer Plants" due to their nyctinasty habits, which is the fancy word for leaves that fold up at night and unfold in the morning. Quite a few of the plants also have very similar foliage and growth patterns, which just adds to the fun!

Maranta can be a little more temperamental than other tropical houseplants and may be better suited for more advanced plant parents, but don't let us stop you from trying! Their foliage is very striking and unique, which is one of the reasons why these are still highly popular houseplants! 

The Prayer Plant is a classically popular houseplant that has strikingly beautiful marking on the leaves - fondly called rabbit track markings. The leaves curl up at night and unfurl in the morning (hence the adoption of the common name "Prayer Plant"). We regularly stock a lot of fun variegations of the Prayer Plant in 4" pots. If left to its own devices, this fun plant will trail with time. 

Care Notes: Low to bright indirect light, water when top two inches of soil are dry. 

***Due to the unique nature of plants, the one we carefully choose for you won't look exactly like the photos. but it will be just as beautiful!