Plants

Painted prayer plant care: light, water & problems

Scientific name: Goeppertia picturata · Common name: Painted prayer plant

Oval ornamental leaves have contrasting patterns; the current botanical name is Goeppertia picturata, formerly Calathea picturata.

Editorial revision: 2026-10-01

Care at a glance

Light: Indirect light; avoid strong sun that can mark leaf patterns.
Watering: Keep the mix moderately moist, never with water trapped inside an outer pot.

Oval ornamental leaves have contrasting patterns; the current botanical name is Goeppertia picturata, formerly Calathea picturata.

Indirect light; avoid strong sun that can mark leaf patterns.

Keep the mix moderately moist, never with water trapped inside an outer pot.

Conditions vary with pot, season and location. Always check the mix and your plant's response.

It benefits from steady warmth and humidity; avoid dry draughts.

Use a draining mix that retains some moisture, matched to pot size and the drying rate in your home.

During active growth, follow a suitable feed label. First check light, water and roots if the plant is declining.

Brown margins call for checks of water, air and roots before misting or feeding.

That is an older botanical name still used in trade.