The Maranta Lemon Lime Prayer Plant is a striking tropical houseplant, grown for its vivid lime green and deep green variegated foliage and its daily leaf movement, known as nyctinasty, in which the leaves fold upward at night and reopen by day.

This compact, low maintenance plant suits a bedroom, living room, windowsill, shelf or desk. As a tropical houseplant it likes medium to low, indirect light and does best out of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. It appreciates good humidity and regular watering, with the soil kept lightly moist rather than wet, and soft water helps stop the leaf edges browning.

Maranta leuconeura rarely flowers indoors, though an occasional small white to pale purple flower can appear in summer. It is an indoor plant only and needs a consistently warm room all year, as it will not tolerate temperatures below about 15C.

If the leaves curl or yellow, check watering and humidity first; if the plant droops, check for cold draughts.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Prayer Plant, Lemon Lime Prayer Plant
• Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura 'Lemon Lime'
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 20-30cm tall and 20-30cm wide (variety dependent)
• Growth Habit: Low growing and spreading, with foliage that folds upright at night
• Perfect For: Windowsills, shelves, desks, bedrooms and living rooms
• Foliage: Vivid lime green and deep green variegated leaves
• Flowering Time: Rarely flowers indoors; occasional small white to pale purple flowers in summer
• Planting Position: Medium to low, indirect light, out of direct sun
• Hardiness: Tender, indoor use only; needs a warm room above about 15C all year
• Maintenance: Low maintenance; prefers high humidity and soft water
• Type: Evergreen tropical perennial houseplant