Prayer Plant
Growth
The prayer plant is one of the most distinguishable tropicals, thanks to its beautiful, decorative leaves. A slow-grower, the prayer plant can eventually reach up to a foot in height indoors.
Light
Hang or set your prayer plant near a window where it will receive indirect sunlight. Never set your plant in direct sunlight because the sun will scorch the plant’s leaves. Prayer plants are generally tolerant of lower light areas. In the winter, when the plants go into dormancy (and sometimes die back completely), provide them with bright light to maintain growth.
Soil
Prayer plants are not fussy about their type of soil, as long as it’s well-draining. Typically, a traditional potting mix works fine, but you can make your own by combining two parts sphagnum peat moss, one part soil, and one part perlite or coarse sand. Ensure that the pot has ample drainage holes.
Water
During their growing season, water your prayer plant frequently (whenever the top layer becomes dry) and never allow the potting soil to dry out completely. These plants are very susceptible to drought and will not survive long if underwatered. However, to avoid fungal problems, do not let water sit directly on the leaves or let the soil get soggy. Both insufficient water and overwatering your plant can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop. When watering your prayer plant, use water that is at least at room temperature, if not slightly warm.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your prayer plant every two weeks from early spring through fall (reducing to once a month in winter) with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. If you use too little fertilizer, your plant will grow slowly or hardly at all. However, too much fertilizer can burn the plant’s roots—its leaves will start to brown and the plant may die.
Potential Problems with Prayer Plants
Yellow Leaves
This is a fairly common problem in prayer plants, and most often because of overwatering, but could also occur if the plant is too cold. (They are happiest when grown between 65-80 degrees F).
If they are receiving too much direct sun, the leaves may turn yellow and crispy.
Nutrient deficient soil will cause yellowing, as will overly compacted roots. Fertilizing consistently, and repotting with fresh soil as needed will eliminate this issue.
If you see pinhead size water spots (may be brown, yellow or purple), this is most often the result of droplets of water staying on the leaves for a period of time. This water-soaked foliage creates problems for leaves & results in reduction of leaves. You can solve this by not watering on the leaf but only on the root/soil section.
Brown tips on Leaves
The main reasons for prayer plant having brown tips are if your room doesn’t have enough humidity, or underwatering.
Prayer plant leaves curling
Occurs when the plant is not getting enough water, to protect itself from loss of moisture. Another reason could be too much sunlight/not enough humidity. To solve this, use a humidifier and/or decrease the light by placing it in a more shaded area.
Types of Prayer Plants
There are many varieties of prayer plants, but the most popular by far is the tricolor variation. (Prayer plants and calathea plants are so closely associated with one another that it’s not uncommon for them to be mislabeled). Within the Maranta genus, a few species are the most common:
- Red prayer plant (Herringbone)/Maranta leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’
- Black prayer plant/ Maranta leuconeura var. ‘Massangeana’
- Green prayer plant/ Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’
- Lemon lime prayer plant/Maranta leuconeura
Non toxic.
