Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura — The Rare Low-Light Colour Plant
Light
Low to medium — one of the few colourful plants that tolerates lower light. Red veining actually intensifies in moderate (not bright) light. Direct sun fades the colours and causes leaf curl.
Water
Very sensitive to dry soil — wilts dramatically but recovers if caught in time. Use filtered or distilled water; sensitive to minerals and chemicals in tap water.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity. Leaf edges brown in dry winter heating.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Difficulty
Moderate
Sizes
Tabletop · Mid-floor · Floor specimen
Prayer Plant, or Maranta leuconeura, gets its name from leaves that fold upward at night like hands in prayer. Its oval leaves, marked with a red herringbone vein pattern, stay low and spreading — usually under 12 inches tall — filling out nicely by its second year.
In the Office
It's one of the few plants with real colour that also tolerates lower light, which makes it useful in office corners that don't get much sun — the red veining actually intensifies in moderate light rather than fading. It's sensitive to dry soil and wilts dramatically if it dries out, though it usually recovers if caught in time. Its low, spreading habit suits a wide planter or dish garden rather than a tall floor spot.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- One of the few colourful plants that tolerates lower light, useful for corners away from windows
- Red herringbone veining actually gets more vivid in moderate light, not less
- Low, spreading habit fills out a wide planter or dish garden where taller plants don't fit
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs, safe for pet-friendly workplaces
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Interior corners with moderate, not bright, light — this plant actually prefers it over a sunny window
- 2
Wide planters or dish gardens on a credenza or low shelf, where its spreading habit has room
- 3
Away from direct sun, which fades the colour and curls the leaves
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Watch for wilting closely — it's sensitive to dry soil, though it usually bounces back if watered soon after
- Use filtered or distilled water where possible; it's sensitive to minerals and chemicals in tap water
- Trim leggy stems to keep growth bushy, and remove yellowed or crispy leaves at the base to keep it tidy
- Crispy leaf edges usually mean low humidity — a pebble tray or regular misting helps, especially in winter
Want Prayer Plant in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.