Goeppertia veitchiana hails from the rainforests of Ecuador and honors Sir Harry Veitch, the Chelsea nurseryman who helped bring South American flora to European gardens in the nineteenth century. Its large, rounded leaves — deep green above with feathered brushstrokes of lime and creamy white, and a rich burgundy beneath — are why it earned the name medallion. Unlike many of its relatives, this species does not fold its leaves at night, making its sculptural form available for admiring around the clock. It is a slow grower that settles into an upright, bushy habit reaching one to two feet, and it rarely produces flowers as a houseplant, which is no loss given what the foliage offers.

The medallion prayer plant wants the same conditions its native rainforest provides: warmth between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, steady humidity above 60 percent, and bright indirect light without any direct sun. Avoid tap water wherever possible, as fluoride causes the leaf edges to brown — distilled or collected rainwater is the better choice. A bathroom or kitchen, where ambient humidity runs naturally higher, often suits it well. Fertilize monthly through the growing season with a balanced liquid feed, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them photosynthesizing at full capacity.