Eternal flame plant is a tropical evergreen perennial of the prayer plant family (Marantaceae) native to the rainforests of Brazil. This plant is known for its yellow-orange flame-like flowers; hence, its common name. The blooms are long-lasting, and the foliage is shiny and green with maroon to purple accents. This plant prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained all-purpose potting mix. The soil should be evenly moist and not soggy. They thrive in warm and humid environments. To increase the humidity use wet pebbles on a tray or invest in a humidifier. The room temperature should range from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels of 60%. The temperature should remain constant and drafts avoided. Dust the leaves with a clean cloth. If dust accumulates on the leaves, it will interfere with photosynthesis. It is best to propagate this plant by division. The eternal flame plant grows 1 foot 8 inches to 2 feet 10 inches tall and has a dense and clumping habit with upright stems. The foliage is elliptic with wavy margins, slightly ridged, dark green on the upper surface, and purple or maroon on the undersides of the leaf. The leaves fold at night fall and open again at sunrise. This plant blooms in the spring and summer and has yellow or orange bracts that enclose the true flower. The true flower is tubular and sits in the center of the bracts on a long stalk. The flowers almost appear torch-like and rise above the foliage. The eternal flame plant is used as an ornamental houseplant. To insure adequate humidity levels, you may also consider using the plant in a terrarium or under a cloche. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering can result in root rot. Low humidity can cause leaf curl, and browning of the leaf edges and tips can be the result of using tap water containing fluoride. Distilled water or rain water is recommended. More information on Goeppertia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 10 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are elliptic, dark green on the upper surface and reddish-purple on the underside. The leaves are slightly ridged and have wavy margins.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
Each inflorescence is actually a yellow-orange bracts. The true flower is tubular and sits in the center of the bracts atop a long stalk. The flowers rise above the foliage and can last up to 3 months.