Prayer Plant
Goeppertia lietzei
Calathea lietzei - JBM by Montrealais (CC BY 3.0)
Partial Shade
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
13b
USDA zone
18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 50cm |
10cm | Min | 10cm |
5 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
Prayer Plant Overview
Calathea lietzei has recently been reclassified, it is now known as Goeppertia lietzei. This species is a tender evergreen perennial that produces attractive green leaves. It typically grows to around 60cm tall and it is best propagated through division. Grow in partial shade, in moist, well-draining soil. This plant enjoys humidity, it grows well in rooms that generate lots of steam such as bathrooms or kitchens. You can also group plants together to increase humidity, or place it on a pebble tray. It forms clumps of long, narrow, lance-shaped, dark green leaves with contrasting lighter green areas and purple undersides. The leaves measure up to 45cm in length. The common name Prayer Plant comes from their habit of raising and lowering their leaves over the course of a day. Yellow flowers can be produced in summer, but this infrequently occurs when grown indoors as a houseplant.
Common problems with Prayer Plant
Can be attacked by glasshouse whitefly and red spider mites but generally disease free.
How to propagate Prayer Plant
Division
Divide in late spring