Table of Contents
What is a Prayer Plant?
Maranta leuconeura, often described as a prayer plant, is a plant that grows from the Marantaceae family it is unique to the Brazilian forest areas. There are 31 genera and around 550 varieties in this biological family, which is frequently referred to as “the prayer plant family.” It’s a rhizomatous perennial with packed clusters of evergreen, highly patterned oval leaves, each up to 12 cm long, that grows to 30 cm tall and wide. The prayer plant is among the most instantly recognizable tropicals due to its magnificent ornamental fronds.
How to Grow a Prayer Plant at Home?
The prayer plant is not really a low-maintenance plant; it takes an incredible amount of moisture and thrives in well-drained topsoil. It is also best to keep in a good light level, though it will still grow with low light. Always remember to use “All purpose fertilizer” every two weeks to keep the plant healthy.
Light
The prayer plant requires five to six hours of strong, indirect light per day. The light should be filtered through the three canopy structures outside. Avoid putting it in direct sun—too much sun will fade the leaf colors and burn the foliage.
Soil
Nourish your prayer plants every 2 weeks from springtime to fall, half-strengthening a very well (10-10-10), moisture houseplant fertilizer. Again, as with fertilizer, the appropriate amount of nourishment is critical for the survival of the prayer plant, and any imbalance will have bad consequences. Excessive fertilizer will damage the stems, turn the foliage brown, and eventually kill the plant. Plants that receive insufficient fertilizer will grow slowly or not at all. Feedings should be done every two weeks in the normal season and once a month in winter.
Water
Prayer plants must never be allowed to be dried out; although only the top inch or two of soil is dry, they must be watered. In the summer, this might be as often as every 3-5 days, depending on elements like temperature, humidity, and light in your location — make sure to keep an eye on your plants!
Temperature and Humidity
Generally praying plants require a moist environment, many varieties can survive lesser moisture levels.They prefer a humidity level of 50% or higher, with more sensitive types requiring a greater humidity level of around 60%. Prolonged lower temperatures can damage the leaves and cause them to drop from the plant.
Growing Tips
- Provide indirect medium or bright light.
- Keep well-draining soil moist but not soggy.
- Provide extra humidity.
Plants maintained excessively cool or too dry is much more prone to losing their leaflets or developing yeast infections, which could also result in root rot and fatality. Plants that are overly exposed to the light can also become washed out, developing brown spots on their leaves.
Conclusion
Prayer plant is a great option for homeowners since it’s easy to cultivate, has interesting fronds, and is a durable indoor plant, so you’ll have a lot of luck with it! This type of plant has certain advantages, such as being non-toxic to pets and performing well in low-light situations. Most women recommend growing this type of houseplant because it produces an extraordinary ambiance and aesthetic vibe in a certain room.