Learn the story behind prayer plant. Find out where the plant got its name. Discover little known information about this interesting plant species. If you are lucky, you can see or hear prayer plant fold up in prayer at night.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the description below. You’ll also find in the description links to any videos I mention in this video.
Today, I’m continuing with my “Plant Stories” series, and I’m going to talk to you about the prayer plant, Maranta, one of my favorite plants. Every day at twilight, its leaves move into a prayer position, and you may even hear them rustling as they do so. I have another video on how to care for them, but today’s video is all about how this fascinating plant was discovered and who it was named after.
The prayer plant is native to Central and South America, primarily from the jungles of Brazil. It belongs to the Marantaceae family, which also includes the arrowroot plant. The plant is named after Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian physician, botanist, and literary scholar who lived in the 1500s.
One of the plant’s nicknames, besides “prayer plant,” is the “Ten Commandments plant,” because certain varieties have 10 dark green spots on their leaves. However, I personally love the name “prayer plant” for its spiritual significance and visual appeal.
As mentioned, it’s fun to watch the plant “pray” at night after being open all day. The Marantaceae family consists of herbaceous perennials and is related to gingers. The name Maranta was given in honor of Bartolomeo Maranta, who made significant contributions to botany and medicine during his time.
Maranta himself was born in Venosa, Italy, as the son of a lawyer and academic named Roberto Maranta. He grew up somewhat of a nobleman and was heavily involved in studying and working at the Botanical Gardens of Naples and Rome. He was friends with the naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi and also wrote extensively, particularly about antidotes to poisons and how they related to botany.
Due to his significant contributions, when the plant was classified, it was named after him. So, when you see your prayer plant in its “praying” position, you can think of Bartolomeo Maranta and his legacy from the 1500s.
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FAQs about the Prayer Plant (Maranta)
What is the prayer plant (Maranta)?
The prayer plant, also known as Maranta, is a popular houseplant known for its ability to move its leaves into a prayer-like position at night. It is native to Central and South America, primarily from the jungles of Brazil.
Why is it called a prayer plant?
The prayer plant gets its name because its leaves fold together at night, resembling hands in a praying position. This phenomenon happens every day at twilight.
Who was the prayer plant named after?
The prayer plant is named after Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian physician, botanist, and literary scholar who lived in the 1500s. The Marantaceae family, to which this plant belongs, was named in his honor.
What are some other nicknames for the prayer plant?
Besides being called the prayer plant, certain varieties are also known as the “Ten Commandments plant” due to the ten dark green spots on their leaves.
What is the origin of the prayer plant?
The prayer plant is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, particularly the rainforests of Brazil. It belongs to the Marantaceae family, which is related to gingers and includes plants like arrowroot.
What does the prayer plant do at night?
At night, the prayer plant’s leaves fold upwards, creating a praying effect. You may even hear the leaves rustling as they move into this position.
How can I care for my prayer plant?
The prayer plant requires indirect light, consistently moist soil, and high humidity. For more detailed care instructions, check out our video on how to care for prayer plants.
What makes the prayer plant special?
One of the unique traits of the prayer plant is its ability to move its leaves throughout the day and night. In addition, it is named after Bartolomeo Maranta, a prominent figure in botany and medicine during the 1500s.
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