Plant comparison
Prayer plant vs Chinese evergreen
Two bushy variegated houseplants for lower-light rooms — one is fussy about humidity, the other is not.
| Prayer plant | Chinese evergreen | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Maranta leuconeura | Aglaonema commutatum |
| Light | Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) | Low light (north window or shaded room) |
| Water | When the top 1 cm of soil is just dry, every 4-6 days | When the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days |
| Soil | Moisture-retentive but free-draining mix | Free-draining houseplant mix |
| Humidity | 60-70% | 40-60% |
| Temperature | 18-24°C (65-75°F) | 18-27°C (65-80°F) |
| USDA hardiness | 11-12 (indoor-only) | 10-12 (indoor-only) |
| RHS hardiness | H1b | H1b |
| Mature size | 20-30 cm tall, spreading wider | 45-90 cm tall and wide |
| Growth habit | Low-growing rhizomatous evergreen | Clumping or bushy evergreen |
| Toxicity (cats/dogs) | Pet-safe | Mildly toxic to pets |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Prayer plant — Prayer plant if pets share your home — it is non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), while Chinese evergreen is mildly toxic to pets.
- Choose Chinese evergreen — Chinese evergreen if your spot has less light — it tolerates low light (north window or shaded room), where Prayer plant prefers medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window).
Either way, the full care brief lives on each plant's own page: Prayer plant care and Chinese evergreen care. For pet-safety detail see Prayer plant and Chinese evergreen.
Prayer plant vs Chinese evergreen — frequently asked questions
Is Prayer plant the same as Chinese evergreen?
No — Prayer plant is Maranta leuconeura and Chinese evergreen is Aglaonema commutatum. Two bushy variegated houseplants for lower-light rooms — one is fussy about humidity, the other is not. The look can be similar, but their light, water and toxicity needs are not interchangeable.
Which is easier to care for, prayer plant or chinese evergreen?
Easier comes down to your conditions. Prayer plant wants medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) and to be watered when the top 1 cm of soil is just dry, every 4-6 days. Chinese evergreen wants low light (north window or shaded room) and watering when the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. Match the species to the brightest spot you actually have and how often you remember to water — both can be the easier pick for the right home.
Is prayer plant or chinese evergreen safer for cats and dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Prayer plant is pet-safe and Chinese evergreen is mildly toxic to pets. Prayer plant is the pet-safer choice.
How big do prayer plant and chinese evergreen get indoors?
Prayer plant matures to 20-30 cm tall, spreading wider, with a low-growing rhizomatous evergreen habit. Chinese evergreen reaches 45-90 cm tall and wide, clumping or bushy evergreen. Plan for the eventual size, not the size in the nursery pot.
Can prayer plant and chinese evergreen live in the same room?
Yes — both can share a room as long as you give each one a spot that matches its light requirement. Prayer plant needs medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window); Chinese evergreen needs low light (north window or shaded room). Group them only if their watering and humidity needs are also close, otherwise keep them on different schedules.