Rabbit tracks prayer plant guide
Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana', also called rabbit's foot prayer plant, green prayer plant, Kerchoveana
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Medium
- Water
- When the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Above average. Dry air browns the leaf edges.
- Temperature
- 18 to 27°C (65 to 80°F). Keep above 15°C (60°F).
- Soil
- Light, well-draining houseplant mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall, trailing or spreading 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in)
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings below a node, rooted in water
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes rabbit tracks prayer plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the prayer plant care guide.
What it is
Rabbit tracks prayer plant has gray-green leaves with dark green to brown blotches between the veins. The blotches look like rabbit footprints in the snow. It is the classic, older form of the prayer plant. Its leaves fold up at night like the others. Select-A-Plant lists it at about 30 cm (1 ft) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit tracks | Gray-green with dark blotches | Blotches in a row on each side of the midrib |
| Red prayer plant | Red fishbone veins | Bright red veins |
| Rattlesnake plant | Long, wavy, dark spots | Long, narrow, wavy leaves that stand upright |
Care differences
Rabbit tracks is the toughest prayer plant. It handles lower light and drier air a bit better than the colorful kinds. The blotches stay darker in bright indirect light.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a stem below a node and root it in water. Roots show in two to three weeks. Or divide the clump in spring.
Buying it
Rabbit tracks is sold at garden centers, though less often than the red prayer plant. Look for clear dark blotches and firm leaves.