The Maranta, also known as the prayer plant has beautiful and distinct foliage. The maranta's leaves fold up like "praying hands" at night earning its nickname. They are native to South America which means that they like a tropical greenhouse-like environment, like warm temperatures and humidity. The prayer plant likes a fast-draining, acidic soil, that can include peat moss, perlite, or sand. They like to be watered when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch but will not survive if left unwatered for too long.