A Guide to Growing Prayer Plants

Photo by: Ivy May

Prayer Plant Care

Don’t let anyone tell you that plants don’t move. This family of houseplants gets its name ‘Prayer’ because light changes will cause the leaves to rise upwards like two hands praying (try filming a time lapse of your Prayer Plant in the evening and see how the leaves dance!). If you want to get technical, the process is called “nyctinasty” — the flow of water regulating the leaves’ movement to best capture the sun’s energy. Truth be told, this family of indoor plants requires a little more attention and love than their tougher house plant companions. However, you will find that these beautiful potted plants are well worth the extra doting. When caring for Calatheas, Marantas Stromanthe and Ctenanthe, the most important considerations are humidity and access to mineral and chemical-free water. Brown leaf edges are usually an indication that the water has either a high salt, chlorine, chloramine, bromide, or fluoride content. The old trick of letting the water sit overnight so the chemicals can evaporate no longer works because most municipalities add chloramine to public water, and chloramine doesn’t evaporate. A lack of humidity will also cause the leaf edges to turn brown. Tropical plants will always be happier when they can access moisture from the air.

Light

Calathea, maranta stromanthe and ctenanthe will do moderately well in moderately low light, but they prefer to be in medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as this will fade the plant’s color and burn the leaves. Plants that have more colorful leaves will benefit from having more filtered bright light.

Water

Water these indoor plants when the top layer of soil is dry. At that point, water thoroughly and make sure there is adequate drainage. Use filtered water whenever possible as prayer plants are sensitive to salts and chemicals found in some water systems or wells. Make sure your plant is not left in standing water!

Soil

Potting soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter, but still has the ability to drain well is the perfect growing medium for all prayer plants. Most coco coir or peat-based potting soil mixes will be adequate but make sure that they do not contain water-retentive crystals as they can cause the soil to continually stay moist causing root rot. If you are feeling adventurous, try creating your own potting soil!

Temperature

The optimal temperature for this family of houseplants is 65-85℉. Don’t place them near drafty windows or doors in the colder months. Exposure to freezing temperatures, even for a few minutes can damage the leaves. Keep your prayer plants warm all year long and provide them with good air circulation to help avoid spider mites and other indoor plant pests.

Humidity

Calathea, maranta, stromanthe and ctenanthe love humidity, and you’ll quickly notice the edges of the leaves browning if the air is too dry. If the air is too dry, a humidifier is the most effective way to raise the moisture level in your home. If you don’t have a humidifier, group your plants together, or place them atop a tray of pebbles and water. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your indoor plants!

Fertilizer

Fertilize them during the growing season (spring through summer). You can use a wide range of fertilizers, like fish or seaweed emulsion, compost-like worm castings, or a complete liquid fertilizer. We recommend diluting all liquid fertilizers to 1/4 the recommended strength. If your plant already has a slow-release fertilizer in the soil, either applied by you or the grower, then it’s not necessary to fertilize for 1-2 months, depending on the size of the plant. Larger plants most likely have used up the nutrients and should be fertilized sooner.

Growth Rate

Most Prayer Plants are grow at a medium rate, and they rarely exceed heights over 3-4′ indoors. If given the proper care, they will fill in and become wide and lush with large leaves!

Pet Friend or Foe

All Prayer Plants are non-toxic to pets! Friend!

Pro Tips

1. Group them together in clumps so they help each other increase humidity. If this doesn’t provide enough humidity, then purchase a humidifier.
2. Prayer Plants don’t like water with chemicals, so use filtered, distilled, or rain water if your tap water is chemically treated.
3. Why not have your tap water tested for chemicals and minerals? If your results come back negative, then it’s a reason to celebrate!
4. Use garden scissors to remove brown, or yellowing leaves as they are difficult to pull out by hand.
5. If you notice yellow or brown leaves forming at a rapid rate, monitor the soil for dryness, or over-saturation.

A Guide to Growing Prayer Plants

Prayer plant is named for the light-sensitive leaves that lay flat during the day, folding upright like praying hands at night. This popular houseplant is a tropical evergreen perennial grown for the foliage, which comes in an array of colors and patterns.

This easy-to-grow plant is slow growing and stays relatively small, making it ideal for small apartments and other limited spaces. Plants can be kept bushy or allowed to trail, and are suitable for display in decorative pots or hanging baskets. Learn how to grow and care for this intriguing houseplant.

On this page:

• BASICS
• GROWING PRAYER PLANTS
• PRAYER PLANT CARE
• PRAYER PLANT VARIETIES
• COMMON PROBLEMS
• DISPLAY IDEAS FOR PRAYER PLANTS

PRAYER PLANT BASICS

Botanical name:

Common names:

Prayer plant, cathedral windows, herringbone plant

Origin:

Native to tropical rainforests of Central America, South America and West Indies

Care level:

Easy to moderate

Size:

6 to 12 inches tall and wide, trailing to 18 inches

Growth rate:

Foliage:

Wide oval-shaped leaves 4 to 8 inches long have distinct stripes or markings. The base coloring occurs in varying shades of green, blue-green, or yellow-green. Veining can be red, cream, or contrasting green. Markings are purple, brown, or green, while leaf undersides occur in green or burgundy. New leaves emerge in a tightly rolled tube.

Flowers:

Small white or purple orchid-like flowers appear in spring. Flowers are insignificant, and plants do not always bloom indoors.

Are prayer plants plants toxic?

Prayer plant is non-toxic to pets and children, though mild stomach upset can occur when any plant is ingested.

Prayer plant lookalikes—Maranta vs. Calathea:

These two genera look similar and share the common name of prayer plant, so are sometimes confused or mislabeled. Though both are in the Marantaceae family, the arrowroot family, there are differences. Maranta leaves are consistently oval-shaped, while Calathea comes in different leaf shapes. Calathea coloring and leaf patterns are more variable and often more pronounced. Maranta develops a trailing habit, while Calathea remains upright.

GROWING PRAYER PLANTS

Light:

Place near a window that gets bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn.

Temperature:

Prayer plant prefers warmer temperatures, with an optimal range between 65-85 degrees F.

Humidity:

Native to moist rainforests, prayer plant prefers moderate to high humidity. To increase humidity, use a room humidifier, mist plants regularly, or set plants on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water. Don’t allow the bottom of the pot to sit in standing water to prevent root rot.

Soil:

Use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix that drains well. Maranta plants prefer a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.0; higher pH may cause chlorosis (yellowing of leaves).

Pot requirements:

Prayer plant has shallow roots, so a pot that is somewhat shallow and wide is more suitable than one that is tall and deep. Plant in a pot with adequate drainage holes that is slightly larger than the root ball.

PRAYER PLANT CARE

Photo by: Rigsbyphoto / Shutterstock

Watering:

Keep soil evenly moist, as prayer plants don’t like to dry out. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Reduce watering during winter months when plants enter a period of semi-dormancy.

TIP: Maranta plants may be sensitive to hard tap water. Use filtered water or leave tap water out overnight before using. Prayer plants also prefer water that is at room temperature.

Fertilizing:

Apply a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season from spring through fall. Cease fertilizing in winter when plant growth slows down.

Pruning:

Plants can be kept bushy or allowed to trail. Prune your prayer plant to desired size in spring by clipping just above a leaf node. Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed.

Leaf care:

Keep the foliage nice and shiny by cleaning it occasionally with a damp cloth. This is also a good opportunity to check for pests that may be hiding under the large leaves.

Repotting:

Prayer plants grow slowly, so only need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years. The best time to repot is in spring or summer. Choose a pot that is 2 inches larger than the previous pot. Remove plant from pot, shake off excess soil from roots and repot in fresh soil.

Pests:

The most common pests are spider mites, aphids, thrips, and mealybugs. Determine what kind of bugs are on your plant by examining closely. Remove pests with a cotton ball dipped in 70% rubbing alcohol. For persistent infestations, use insecticidal soap or Neem oil and reapply as needed. Isolate affected plants until pests are eliminated. (See more on common houseplant pests.)

PRAYER PLANT VARIETIES

Photo by: Lina Mo / Shutterstock.

Red Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura

Also known as herringbone plant or red stripe prayer plant, this is one of the most popular and commonly grown varieties. The striking leaves are dark green with bright red veins and pale green markings along the midrib. The leaf undersides are a rich burgundy.

Photo by: Fabrizio Guarisco / Shutterstock

‘Lemon Lime’
Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura ‘Lemon Lime’

This variety is characterized by bright chartreuse-green veining and markings along the midrib set against a dark green background. Leaf undersides are pale green with darker green markings.

Photo by: Amelia Martin / Shutterstock

Rabbit Tracks
Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana

Also known as green prayer plant or rabbit’s foot, this variety is named for the two rows of splotches on either side of the leaf midrib that resemble rabbit tracks. When new leaves emerge, the markings are brown, then fade to dark green. Unlike most other varieties, the leaf markings are not visible on the undersides of the leaves, which are silver-green.

Photo by: Ivy May

‘Kim’
Maranta leuconeura ‘Kim’

Similar in appearance to rabbit tracks prayer plant, the pale green foliage is accentuated by rows of purple spots on either side of the midrib. Leaves may also sport variable creamy-white streaks.

Photo by: Ivy May

‘Marisela’
Maranta leuconeura ‘Marisela’

Dark green leaves contrast dramatically with the pale yellow veining. Wide light green markings occur along the midrib, creating a striking appearance.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH PRAYER PLANTS

Most problems are due to incorrect care. Look for these symptoms:

• Scorched or faded leaves can be a sign of too much light. Move to a spot that receives less light.
• Brown leaf tips can be due to several factors, including cool temperatures, lack of humidity, or too much chlorine in tap water. Identify the problem and remedy accordingly.
• Yellow leaves can be caused by a number of reasons, including improper light or watering, chlorosis (an iron deficiency), over-fertilizing or root rot. Older leaves will turn yellow and die naturally. Diagnose and treat as needed.
• Curling or shriveled leaves are caused by a lack of water or low humidity. Increase watering or raise room humidity as needed.
• Drooping leaves can be due to a number of factors, including poor watering, extreme temperatures, too much light, low humidity, bug infestations, or over-fertilization. Identify the problem and correct accordingly.
• Poor leaf coloring can be an indication of too much or too little light, as well as nutritional deficiency such as chlorosis.
• Stunted growth can be due to root rot, nutritional deficiency, or improper soil pH, which can affect a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients. Diagnose and treat accordingly.
• Brown coloring around the base is a symptom of root rot. Remove plant from pot and inspect roots. Prune out any roots that are brown and mushy. Repot and reduce watering.
• Leaf drop can be caused by pest infestations or underwatering. Diagnose and treat accordingly.

DISPLAY IDEAS FOR PRAYER PLANTS

Photo by: TippyTortue / Shutterstock

There are many ways to display prayer plant; here are just a few:

• Group different varieties together on a dining room or board room tabletop for year-round color.
• Adorn a kitchen counter or windowsill with a single specimen or grouping of plants.
• Allow to trail in a hanging basket in a bathroom where plants can benefit from extra room humidity.
• Display in a decorative macrame hanger in a smaller room where space is at a premium.
• Adorn a desktop with a brightly colored specimen to cheer up an office environment.
• In frost-free climates or interior landscapes, prayer plant can be massed as a groundcover.

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