Rabbit's Foot Prayer Plant

Rabbit's Foot Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana) is a compact foliage plant, about 30cm tall and 50cm wide, with bright green leaves marked by dark green blotches in a regular row, which some say look like rabbit tracks. The leaves fold upright at night as if in prayer, which gives the plant its common name. It suits a shaded patio, a tropical garden underplanting or a spot indoors.

Why you'll love it

• Patterned, calm foliage. The gentle contrast of bright and dark green makes a graphic pattern that is subtler than the striped marantas.
• Leaves that move. The leaves fold up at night as if in prayer and open again in the morning.
• Compact size. At about 30cm tall it fits shelves, pots and the front of a shaded bed.
• Kind to pets. Prayer plants are generally listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Happy in shade. It wants indirect light rather than sun, so it fills spots that flowering plants cannot.

Where it works best

Indoors. A bright spot with indirect light, such as a lounge room or bathroom, suits it, as long as the air is not too dry.

Shaded patios and pots. A container on a covered patio shows the pattern at close range, and moves easily if the weather changes.

Tropical garden underplanting. In frost-free gardens plant 40cm apart as a lush shaded border beneath larger plants.

Growing Rabbit's Foot Prayer Plant in Australia

Position and climate. A shady spot with indirect sunlight. It enjoys humid air, so it thrives in tropical and subtropical frost-free gardens, and indoors anywhere in the country. It is frost tender.

Soil. Moisture-retaining soil or a good quality potting mix. It dislikes drying out completely.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 12 weeks and regularly once established. Mist the leaves when the air is dry. Apply a slow release fertiliser yearly, and liquid feed every three months for vibrant, healthy foliage.

Pruning. Remove old leaves for a quick tidy up. No other pruning is needed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rabbit's Foot Prayer Plant as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly), in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a small young plant; the 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6 give a fuller plant for pots, shelves or underplanting. Keep new plants out of direct sun, water in well and keep the air humid while they settle.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• House and indoor plants
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• Calatheas, close relatives of the prayer plant
• Calathea care guide: fixing brown edges and curling

Common questions

Why are the leaf edges brown or curling?

Almost always dry air or dry soil. Mist the leaves, keep the soil moist, and move the plant away from heaters, draughts and direct sun. Cut off damaged leaves so the new growth shows.

Why do the leaves fold up at night?

It is normal. The leaves rise at night as if in prayer and relax again in the day, which gives the plant its name.

Can I plant it outdoors?

In frost-free tropical and subtropical gardens, yes, in a shady spot with indirect light. Everywhere else, grow it indoors or in a pot you can bring under cover.