Fishbone prayer plant

Leaves patterned like a fish skeleton

The fishbone prayer plant is a perennial herb of the arrowroot family, Marantaceae, the same as calatheas and marantas. Its oval, pale-green leaves are decorated with an elegant pattern of alternating dark bars along the central vein, recalling the skeleton of a fish — hence the common name. The undersides of the leaves are often flushed with purple. The scientific name honours the celebrated Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx.

Origin and habitat

It is native to Brazil, where it grows as a ground-covering plant in the rainforest understorey, often in shade. It therefore prefers warm, humid, filtered-light settings, without direct sun that would fade its foliage.

The prayer plant

Like its Marantaceae relatives, it shows nyctinasty: at nightfall the leaves lift and fold upward, reopening in the morning. This movement, recalling hands joined in prayer, earns it the nickname prayer plant.

Cultivation

It loves filtered light or bright part shade, a light, rich mix kept always slightly moist, and high ambient humidity. Water it with non-hard water, avoiding waterlogging. It dislikes cold below 13 °C and draughts. It enjoys misting and the company of other tropical plants.

Care

Dry leaf tips usually mean air that is too dry or water that is too hard. It is non-toxic, so it is safe even in homes with children and pets. It propagates by dividing the clump in spring.