Common Prayer Plant

The prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a very popular houseplant due to the wide variety of patterns found on its beautiful leaves. These plants are native to the tropical forest floors of Brazil. The prayer plant family is easily distinguishable since each plant has highly patterned, decorative foliage. It gets its name from the moving leaves that lay flat during the day and fold up like prayer hands at night.

Best Locations For Growing Prayer Plant

The prayer plant is an excellent choice for any room in the home or office because it tolerates low to medium light. A location with plenty of humidity is preferred for this tropical plant. However, you can easily get away with placing the prayer plant in a dry location by misting the plant daily.

Prayer Plant Sunlight Requirements

In order for the prayer plant to thrive, provide it with plenty of indirect sunlight. Near an east- or west-facing window would be an ideal location. Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. This plant is generally more tolerant of low-light conditions. During the winter months, these plants can go dormant and stop growing unless provided with supplemental light.

Prayer Plant Care

Prayer plants like to stay at a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and at a high humidity. Creating a greenhouse-like environment indoors can be challenging. To increase the humidity, place a small humidifier nearby, or place the plant on a humidity tray. Alternatively, you can choose to mist the leaves with tepid water. Prayer plants usually are fine with traditional potting soils, provided adequate drainage. These plants are slow growers, so if your plant outgrows its container, go up only one size and choose a container that has ample drainage holes.

Watering Prayer Plant

During their growing season, spring through summer, these plants prefer to be kept moist at all times. Prayer plants can be watered slightly less during the winter–water them when the top two inches of soil are dry. These plants are sensitive to being under-watered. At the same time, ensure that the plant doesn’t sit in water and become soggy since the roots may rot.

Feeding Prayer Plant

Feed your prayer plant biweekly from early spring to fall, then reduce feeding to once a month in the winter. Use a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer at half strength. Fertilize regularly to encourage growth.