5 houseplants that move at night – to add drama to your interiors this spooky season

As we transition into the fall months, spooky season-lovers turn to transforming their interiors into cozy nooks full of Halloween galore. As well as getting together your stylish pumpkin décor pieces, you should also consider incorporating houseplants that move at night – that's right, plants that seem to have a mind of their own, moving right before your eyes.

Of course, it's no secret that all of the best indoor plants 'move' to some capacity. After all, they are living things and as they grow and reach of sunlight, their foliage will grow and reposition. However, there are certain houseplants that move more dramatically than others, even to the point you can watch it happen.

I have grown many houseplants that move at night in my home and can vouch for the fact it is both fascinating and a little scary to see the foliage change position. More often than not, dropping daylight is what triggers the movement, and it's all part of how these houseplants optimize light exposure for growth. Here, I've compiled five of the best houseplants that move at night to add to your interiors this season.

5 houseplants that move at night

To add even more drama to your indoor garden this fall, consider incorporating some of the best houseplants with dark foliage alongside these houseplants that move at night.

1. Prayer plant

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) makes the top of this list for a very good reason: its name originates from the movement it makes.

In the day, a prayer plant is open, showing off its stunning green foliage with pink veins. As night falls, the foliage moves inwards, reminiscent of praying hands.

The reason the plant has this habit (which is known as nyctinasty), is to maximize light exposure where it naturally grows beneath the rainforest canopy. But, this isn't the only reason it has movement.

Prayer plants have a motor organ called the pulvinus at the base of leaf stems. They swell and shrink in response to water pressure, contributing to the movement of the foliage.

While prayer plants are easy to care for, simply needing bright, indirect light and consistent, but not soggy, moisture levels, you will spot your prayer plant leaves curling if it's underwatered or has too-little humidity – consider using this plant mister from Amazon to regularly mist its foliage.

You can find a prayer plant at Walmart.

2. Rattlesnake calathea

The rattlesnake calathea is one of my favorite houseplants that move at night. In my home, I can sometimes even hear the foliage moving.

This is a beautiful calathea variety, although it is now known to belong to the Goeppertia family, related to prayer plants. It has wavy edges and a unique variegated pattern.

Related to prayer plants, it's not surprising that rattlesnake calatheas also move inwards and outwards like praying hands.

This is once again due to the process of nyctinasty, maximizing light exposure in the day for essential plant processes like photosynthesis, and conserving energy and moisture at night.

I find growing a rattlesnake plant straightforward, although there are a handful of calathea mistakes to avoid. This includes not overwatering, which can crisp up those iconic leaves, and also not using tap water. Tap water can turn the tips of calathea plants' leaves brown, so you should rather aim to use distilled or rainwater.

Shop for a rattlesnake calathea at The Sill.

3. Oxalis

If you love houseplants with a bit of color then these houseplants that move at night are a good option. Oxalis (Oxalis triangularis) is a purple houseplant with clusters of dainty leaves which often earn it the name of false shamrock. From spring to fall, oxalis commonly has pale pink flowers, too.

Just like prayer plants and calatheas, oxalis foliage also opens and closes in response to light. When closed, the foliage is reminiscent of butterflies.

Not only this, but these plants have pretty movement when picked up or if a breeze comes past, flowing elegantly.

To grow oxalis, allow the soil to dry out completely in between watering. You can use a soil moisture meter (from Amazon) to identify when it's time to water again. Make sure not to let it sit in a prolonged period of drought, however, which can cause drooping foliage.

An oxalis houseplant is available at Walmart.

4. Stromanthe triostar

Another indoor variegated plant for the list of houseplants that move, stromanthe triostar is a striking choice. With colors of green, pink, and cream, it's one sure to capture the attention of your guests.

Also part of the Marantaceae family and related to prayer plants, stromanthe also carries out the process of nyctinasty, to abosrb light and water during the day, closing at night to conserve energy.

The movement of the foliage is quite noticeable, too, just like a rattlesnake calathea.

Care for a stromanthe is simple. It's especially important not to let the soil become oversaturated with these houseplants, as they are prone to houseplant root rot. To water correctly, wait until the top inch of soil has dried out.

Find a stromanthe triostar at The Sill.

5. Venus flytrap

For an extra bit of gore this spooky season, add a Venus flytrap to your home. These are carnivorous plants that will, as their name suggests, trap flies and insects that land on them. They then digest these insects, providing essential nutrition.

Unlike the slower movement of prayer plants, Venus flytraps move quite rapidly to catch the insects that have landed on the hairs of the leaf base (called the lamina).

This occurs as a result of rapid water movement between cell layers, triggered by the touching of the hairs. The leaf blades, or teeth, of the flytrap then enclose the insects inside.

One important thing to note when caring for a Venus flytrap: don't repeatedly touch it to trigger the closing response unnecessarily. This uses a lot of energy for the flytrap and can even kill it.

Find a Venus flytrap at Walmart.

FAQs

Do houseplants close up when it's cold?

No, houseplants don't close up when it's cold, generally speaking, though you may notice witling and shrivelling. However, some houseplants that move are known to be triggered by temperature fluctuations. For example, prayer plants, which close at night, are likely to close even tighter when it's chillier, with an aim to conserve more energy and moisture.

Once you've made your selection of houseplants that move at night, don't forget to think about how to style houseplants. For example, you may wish to elevate them on an indoor plant stand to show off this cool characteristic they have.