Why Is It Called a Prayer Plant

This hardy indoor plant earned its common name from the fact that the leaves tend to fold together at night, like a pair of praying hands. Most types of prayer plant have variegated foliage, adding to the plant’s overall interest.

Why does my prayer plant stand up at night?

Prayer plants’ leaves lie flat during the day and fold upward at night, as if in prayer. This is done in rhythm with the sun. The leaves point downward or straight during the day, and close vertically at night. This natural process is called nyctinasty, and is triggered by changes in sunlight.

Do all prayer plants pray?

As for the question of whether or not all Prayer Plants close up at night, the answer is that all of them have the potential to perk up at night and fold back open during the day. Depending on their growing conditions, though, an individual Maranta can move a lot or not much at all.