Prayer plant
Calathea insignis (Marantaceae)
Also called Maranta, Peacock Plant, Rattle Snake Plant, Red Veined Prayer, Zebra Plant.
Cats and dogs
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.
Source: ASPCA entry "Prayer Plant", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol Copes
- Medium light 6+ mol Best
- Bright indirect 10+ mol
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Indoors this rattlesnake-type calathea does best in limited sun to bright shade. It cannot take full sun, though early morning or diffused sun is fine.
Direct sun: a little gentle morning sun is fine.
On our scale it grows well from about 6 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 0.5 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Demanding. Water: Keep the soil moist but not wet during spring and summer, and water less in winter.
Needs high humidity and dislikes drafts and sudden temperature swings.
More pet-safe plants for similar light
- Calathea medium light
- Guzmania bromeliad medium light
- Kentia palm medium light
- Ripple peperomia medium light
- Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) bright indirect light
- Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) bright indirect light