Calathea zebrina

As a member of the Prayer Plant family, the leaves of this Calathea will characteristically ‘pray’, folding up at night before re-opening again as the morning light levels rise.

At the base of each leaf is a joint-like thickening called the pulvinus, which swells and shrinks in response to pressure developed in the leaves.

This movement of the leaves is a process known as nyctinasty, which serves a number of purposes.
It allows the plant to absorb as much light as possible in its low light rainforest environment, to help absorb and retain water, and to reduce the risk of fungi and bacteria forming on their leaves.

Though in the wild Calathea zebrina produces white to purple flowers in bloom, these flowers are rarely seen when cultivated indoors.

A place with bright but indirect light is ideal. Avoid south facing spots with too much intense direct sunlight, unless you diffuse the light with a sheer curtain.