The prayer plant, also known as Maranta leuconeura, is a popular houseplant that is loved for its strikingly patterned leaves and its unique behavior of folding up its foliage at night, resembling hands in prayer. Native to the tropical forests of Brazil, the prayer plant thrives in warm, humid conditions, making it a relatively easy indoor plant to care for. Whether you’re an experienced plant parent or just starting your indoor garden, this guide will provide everything you need to know about prayer plant care, helping your plant flourish.
About Prayer Plants
You can use the term prayer plant to refer to any number of species in the genus Maranta. Some people also refer to members of the Calathea genus as prayer plants, but not everyone does.
The plants have flat, oblong leaves that emerge from the soil in clusters. While some prayer plants have rather plain-looking leaves, many have exquisite colors and patterns. And not only are these leaves beautiful, but they also put on a show! The leaves lay flat when the sun is out and then fold upwards at night. Some people say the upward-facing leaves look like folded hands, hence the name prayer plant.
Most prayer plants are native to tropical forests in South America. Therefore, a big part of successfully caring for them involves mimicking their home environment.
Caring for Prayer Plants Indoors
The most common way to grow prayer plants is as houseplants. If you’d like to bring one of these beauties into your home or office, check out how to best care for them.
Choosing a Suitable Container
Prayer plants grow from rhizomes, which are a type of underground stem. Roots spurt out from these rhizomes and help the plants take up water and nutrients. One of your jobs as a plant parent is to choose a container that provides a nice home for these rhizomes and roots.
When it comes to selecting a material, you don’t have to be too careful. Pots made from plastic, glazed ceramic, terra cotta, and glass can all work well, but be aware that soil in terra cotta pots will dry out a bit quicker. No matter which type of material you select, make sure the container contains drainage holes on the bottom.
As far as size goes, prayer plants don’t need a lot of room to expand. They’re slow-growing, which means they won’t become rootbound too quickly. Choose a pot that is only an inch or two wider than the plant’s root ball.
Selecting a Proper Potting Mix
Choosing a suitable soil mix is an essential part of keeping your prayer plant happy! If you choose the wrong mix, you can deal with issues like constantly wet soil, root rot, and dry plants.
Select a potting mix that offers a good balance of drainage, aeration, and moisture retention. This will allow the soil to remain moist between waterings while also creating air space for gas exchange.
A potting mix that’s made from peat moss or coco coir, compost, and perlite can work well.
Temperature and Humidity
Humidity is crucial for prayer plant care indoors. Since these plants come from tropical environments, they love high humidity levels. Keep the humidity around your prayer plant at 50% or higher by using a humidifier, placing it on a pebble tray, or misting it regularly.
As for temperature, prayer plants prefer warm conditions between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid placing your plant near cold drafts or heating vents, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.
Light
When it comes to prayer plant care, providing the right light conditions is essential. These plants thrive in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light levels, making them perfect for indoor environments. However, avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as too much sun can scorch the leaves and fade the vibrant patterns.
If you’re growing your prayer plant indoors, placing it near a north- or east-facing window works best. If your space lacks natural light, you can also use grow lights to supplement their needs.
Watering Your Prayer Plant
Prayer plants prefer consistently moist soil, but they don’t like to sit in water. Make sure to water your plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure your pot has good drainage to avoid water accumulation. During the growing season (spring and summer), your prayer plant may need more frequent watering, while in the winter months, you can allow the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings.
Fertilizer
Praying plants are slow-growing, so they don’t need a ton of fertilizer. However, they can benefit from a regular dose of nutrients. Select a fertilizer with a low, balanced NPK ratio like 1-1-1 or 2-2-2 and apply once in the early spring and then every two months until fall.
Make sure you don’t overapply nutrients since this can cause more harm than good.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Like most types of houseplants, prayer plants aren’t immune from pests and diseases (bummer, we know). Fortunately, knowing the first signs of a problem and how to treat it can go a long way in keeping your plants healthy.
One of the most common diseases prayer plants deal with is root rot. This is the generic name for a group of fungal diseases that attack plant roots. Like most fungi, the pathogens that cause root rot thrive in moist conditions. That means overwatering and/or poorly-draining soil often leads to root rot!
While it may sound obvious, a telltale sign of this disease is rotting roots. However, you can’t see the roots unless you remove your plant from its pot. Therefore, you can keep an eye out for other signs like yellowing or drooping leaves. If you suspect your plant has root rot, decrease the amount you water, and repot it in fresh potting mix.
The most common pests to keep an eye out for are small, sap-sucking critters like aphids, thrips, and spider mites. All of these pests can rapidly multiply, so it’s important that you catch and treat them ASAP. If you spot only a handful of pests, you can wipe them off with a soapy paper towel or rag. And if the infestation is already out of control, you can try spraying the pests with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Growing Prayer Plants in Containers
Prayer plants make excellent choices for indoor containers, as their trailing growth habit works beautifully in hanging baskets or decorative pots. When choosing a container, opt for one with drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Clay pots and planter boxes work well due to their breathability, but any pot with good drainage will suffice.
Ensure the soil is well-draining but retains moisture. A mix of regular potting soil with perlite or peat moss is ideal for allowing water to pass through while retaining the necessary moisture for the roots.
Popular Types of Prayer Plants
Once you decide to add a prayer plant to your collection of green things, you’ll have to decide which type you like best! There are many different species of prayer plants, but these are some of the ones most commonly kept as houseplants.
Red Veined Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura, Erythroneura)
This type of prayer plant has dark green leaves with some lime green down the middle. It also features brink pink veins that help break up the greenery.
Lemon Lime Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura, Erythroneura ‘Lemon Lime’)
This variety is similar to the red-veined prayer plant except that it has lime green rather than pink veins.
Maranta leuconeura, Kerchoveana
With light green leaves topped with two rows of darker green patches, this type is a stunner. You may also hear it referred to as “Rabbit’s Tracks.”
Fun Facts About Prayer Plants
- Prayer plants get their name from their leaves, which fold up at night, resembling hands in prayer.
- Prayer plants come in various varieties, featuring vibrant leaf patterns and colors, including green, red, and purple hues.
- Prayer plants enjoy high humidity levels, so they thrive best in bathrooms or kitchens, or with regular misting.
- Good news for pet owners: prayer plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Like many houseplants, prayer plants help improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants.
- They can be easily propagated through stem cuttings, making it simple to expand your collection or share with friends.
- In some cultures, prayer plants symbolize peace and harmony, making them a thoughtful gift.
For those looking to explore similar plants, check out our pothos plant care guide, or learn about caring for lucky bamboo to add more easy-care greenery to your indoor space.
Care for Your Prayer Plant with Ease
Caring for a prayer plant can be a rewarding experience for any plant lover. With the right light, humidity, and watering routine, your prayer plant will thrive, rewarding you with vibrant, patterned leaves that move with the cycle of day and night. Whether you’re just starting out or adding to your collection, the prayer plant is a low-maintenance yet captivating houseplant that will bring a touch of the tropics into your home.
If you’re interested in adding one to your indoor garden, browse our plants for delivery and bring a beautiful prayer plant into your home today! For more plant care tips, check out our cut flower care guide or full list of state flowers for inspiration.
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