Maranta — 15 species

Marantas are low-growing tropical foliage plants celebrated for their richly patterned leaves — bold red veining on the Red Prayer Plant, lime-green markings on Lemon Lime — that fold upward at night in the movement that gives them the name prayer plant. They thrive in bright, indirect light (an east- or north-facing window is ideal) and prefer consistently moist but never waterlogged soil; water when the top inch feels dry and use filtered or room-temperature water to avoid leaf-tip burn. Marantas are non-toxic to both cats and dogs, confirmed by the ASPCA, making the genus a reliable choice for pet-friendly homes.