Plant guide
Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is considered non-toxic to cats. Confirm the scientific name on the label: several different plants are sold as prayer plants.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Maranta leuconeura only. The common name prayer plant is also used for other plants.
Photo:
Photo details
Maranta leuconeura3.jpg
By Kurt Stüber [1]
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Maranta leuconeura3.jpg
By Kurt Stüber [1]
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Red prayer plant
View on Amazon — red prayer plant; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Maranta leuconeura and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Maranta leuconeura
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Also known as
- Herringbone Plant
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Maranta leuconeura.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Bright, indirect light is suitable; lower and medium light can also be tolerated. Avoid direct sun.
Tolerates lower light; growth or flowering may be reduced. - Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Maintain even moisture during active growth without saturating the mix. Fluoride in water and excess fertilizer can contribute to leaf burn.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A normal indoor growing range has not been established in this review.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Provide humid air and shelter from cold drafts.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained, organic potting mix.
- Through the year
- Reduce watering during slower winter growth. Leaves folding upward at night are normal movement, not by themselves evidence that the plant needs water.
Growing-guide sources
- maranta leuconeura - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Dangerous plants — houseplants safe for cats ↗Cats Protection, vet-approved advice · Accessed
- Pet ‘safe’ plants — Version 1, August 2023 ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .