Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Prayer Plant Plant Care
Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its striking lance-shaped leaves covered in vivid red, orange, and yellow spots, Eremomastax speciosa is a show-stopping addition to any collection. Originating from tropical regions of Africa, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique foliage that brings a pop of color to any indoor space.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Prayer Plant?
Water Prayer Plant every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Prayer Plant Native To?
- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Prayer Plant?
Prayer Plant (Eremomastax speciosa) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Eremomastax genus. Prayer Plant is native to tropical Africa, ranging from Guinea to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Madagascar. Prayer Plant is also known as Calathea speciosa, Maranta speciosa.
Prayer Plant displays a compact, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Prayer Plant produces tubular orange flowers with purple spots.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Prayer Plant?
Eremomastax speciosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Prayer Plant Need?
Prayer Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Prayer Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Prayer Plant Prefer?
Eremomastax speciosa grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Prayer Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Prayer Plant?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Prayer Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Prayer Plant?
Feed Prayer Plant every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Prayer Plant?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Prayer Plant?
Prayer Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds.
Is the Prayer Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Prayer Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Prayer Plant?
Prayer Plant is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Prayer Plant Need?
Prayer Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Prayer Plant is native to tropical Africa, ranging from Guinea to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Prayer Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Prayer Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Eremomastax genus — compare its care with other Eremomastax species on PlantoScan.
Eremomastax is part of the Acanthaceae plant family — browse all Acanthaceae genera and species.
Prayer Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod., family Acanthaceae (first published in Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 34(Suppl.): 931 (1964)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Prayer Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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