Herringbone Plant

Prayer plant has no official toxicity data, so it is hard to say for certain whether it is safe. It is named for the way its leaves fold upright at night, and its patterned forms — the green prayer plant (var. kerchoveana) and the red-veined one among them — are common houseplants here.

The name "Maranta" does appear on the ASPCA list. The entry carrying it, though, is for Calathea insignis, which is the rattlesnake calathea page in this app. A shared common name is not a reason to carry that verdict over: common names do not identify a species, and what this app matches on when it talks about safety is the botanical name. Maranta leuconeura is not listed there separately.

NC State Extension has a page for this species, but its poison fields are empty and it carries no note about cats. Neither source has made a finding about this plant, so we record it as having no evidence.

At home, look at the pot and the soil together. The leaves spread wide and low, so a plant kept near the floor sits right at cat level — a shelf or a hanger is the better spot. If your cat digs, cover the soil with gravel or coarse sand, and clear away dropped leaves and the water left standing after misting. After using a leaf shine or an insecticide, keep your cat away for a few days.

If you find that leaves have been chewed, note roughly how much and when. If vomiting or diarrhea repeats or your cat seems listless, contact your vet.