With their unique leaf-folding ability, these types of Prayer plants can be a unique choice for gracing your tabletops and shelves!
Every plant lover at some point marvels at the fascinating behavior of prayer plants, known for their nyctinastic movements—where they fold their leaves up at night. Among the many types of prayer plants, those from the Maranta genus are particularly renowned for exhibiting true nyctinasty. Let’s explore some of the unique varieties below!
Types of Prayer Plants
1. Erythroneura
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura
For the very first prayer plant variety, we have the Erythroneura that features dark green leaves with classic light green variegated patterns along the midrib of the leaves, as well as reddish veins. But that’s not all, as the foliage has reddish-purple undersides, too.
2. Kim
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Kim’
You will see many similarities between the first one on our list and the ‘Kim’ variety, thanks to the dark green leaves with light green patterns throughout the foliage. They look beautiful
3. Silver Feather
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Silver Feather’
As you can already gauge from the name, this plant features some silver variegations. It has dark green leaves, each completed with a central silver stripe and light green feather-like patterns, which subtly highlight the veins.
4. Marisela
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Marisela’
With an interestingly pretty name, the Marisela variety boasts light green leaves with dark green margins and central dark green stripes running down the middle of them. Though the veins of this variety are less pronounced, they do add to the overall texture.
5. Kerchoveana
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’
Commonly known as the ‘Rabbit’s Foot’ prayer plant, the ‘Kerchoveana’ variety showcases light green leaves with dark green spots or splotches along the veins, which resembles a herringbone pattern.
6. Kerchoveana Minima
Botanical Name: Maranta bicolor ‘Kerchoveana Minima’
The ‘Kerchoveana Minima’ variety, as the name suggests, is a more petite version of its cousin ‘Kerchoveana.’ Its smaller stature and intricate leaf pattern give it a distinctly gentle and refined appearance, perfect for those who appreciate subtlety in their plant collection.
7. Fascinator
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura var. leuconeura ‘Fascinator’
Truly a fascinating variety, this variety lives up to its name of ‘Fascinator.’ It is known for its dark green leaves with red veins that form a herringbone pattern. It also showcases purplish red on the undersides of leaves, adding contrast to the overall appearance.
8. Lemon Lime
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura ‘Lemon Lime’
The name ‘Lemon Lime’ really is quite enough to give you an insight into its appearance! To elaborate, this variety showcases bright green leaves with yellow veins and lime green patterns that stand out and look super eye-catching.
9. Variegated Arrowroot
Botanical Name: Maranta arundinacea ‘Variegated’
Coming to the variegated version of the previous Maranta variety, you will be amazed by its eye-catching appearance, featuring lance-shaped leaves with contrasting green and white variegation.
10. Silver Band
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Silver Band’
With prominent oval-shaped leaves that showcase a stunning combination of colors and patterns, the ‘Silver Band’ variety features a deep green base color and highlighted intricate silver bands running along the veins and margins of the leaves.
11. Tricolor
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Tricolor’
The ‘Tricolor’ Maranta variety really stands out among others on this list thanks to its combination of three colors with a base color of dark green and light green patches on the leaves, complete with red veins. All of these contribute to the tricolor effect.
12. Mint
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Mint’
Looking for a plant that contributes to a soft and refreshing look in your plant room? You simply cannot go wrong with the Maranta ‘Mint’ variety, thanks to its mint green leaves with lighter green veins and a subtle silver sheen.
13. Amabilis
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconera Amabilis
With a delicate and elegant pattern, you can recognize the ‘Amabilis’ variety with its light green leaves having dark green spots or splotches complete with faint veins that add to its delicacy.
14. Light Veins
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconera ‘Light Veins’
Besides the dark green leaves, there is not much that can separate this variety from others, but one feature stands out. This variety of Maranta showcases prominent light green veins that not only highlight the leaf structure but also make for a fantastic contrast.
15. Arrowroot
Botanical Name: Maranta cristata
Although a Maranta variety, this is a different species known for its robust growth and resilient nature. This variety exhibits lance-shaped leaves in plain green that have a smooth texture.
16. Grizzle
Botanical Name: Maranta cristata ‘Grizzle’
Aptly named the ‘Grizzle,’ this Maranta variety showcases dark green colored leaves with a mottled, grizzled pattern in light green and even grey colors, contributing to its unique appearance.
17. Silver Sheen
Botanical Name: Maranta cristata ‘Silver Sheen’
Now that we have discussed the ‘Silver band’, the ‘Silver Sheen’ is also worth mentioning! This variety showcases dark green as the base color in its leaves, which shimmer and reflect light because of the silver sheen on the leaves.
