Prayer plants are tropical plants known for the movement of their leaves. These plants have a reputation for being difficult, but Prayer Plant care is not hard when you understand what these plants need.

The foliage folds together at night, almost like hands clasped in prayer, and lower during the day. The movement is known as nyctinasty and is tied to the plant’s circadian rhythm. While the movement of the leaves is certainly interesting, these plants are known for another foliage characteristic. Intricate patterns and bold pops of color ensure you can’t help but notice these plants. The undersides of the leaves of many varieties also have velvety purple or maroon coloring for even more visual interest. 

Types of Prayer Plants

Showy foliage is the easiest way to identify prayer plants. These beauties have multi-colored leaves with stripes or intricate patterns. The foliage emerges from the center, and the leaves slowly unfurl, revealing their striking colors and patterns. The plants can be small, 4 to 10 inches, and a good size to display on a tabletop. Mature plants can grow tall several feet tall and make excellent floor plants. Some of the more popular varieties of prayer plants include:

• Calathea orbifolia
• Pinstripe Calathea
• Peacock plant
• Calathea zebrina
• Calathea roseopicta
• Rattlesnake Calathea
• Medallion Calathea
• Goeppertia makoyana
• Goeppertia Medallion
• Goeppertia warszewiczii
• Maranta Red
• Lemon Lime Maranta

Family Matters

Prayer plants is a term used to describe a variety of plants in the Marantaceae family. Family members include calatheas, marantas, and goeppertias. The term prayer plant describes all of these subdivisions, and you may sometimes see a goeppertia labeled as a calathea or vice versa. These plants are cousins, and sometimes it’s hard to tell family members apart. When in doubt, prayer plant is a catch-all that is an accurate way to describe all of the subdivisions within the Maranthaceae family.

Prayer Plant Light Requirements

Proper prayer plant care means medium to bright indirect light. These plants need plenty of light to maintain their uniquely variegated foliage. Too little light and the leaves may have a washed-out look. Prayer plants also have medium to high water needs (more on that in a bit), and increased levels of light help dry out the soil and prevent mold or fungus and the resulting fungus gnats. Direct light is problematic and will burn the foliage.

A good location for prayer plants is a few feet away from a south-facing window or in an east or west window where the plant will get some light as well as some shade.

New Growth

New leaves may need time to set their colors and can have a washed-out look, similar to plants grown in low light. If multiple leaves have a washed-out look, then the plant does not receive enough sunlight. If new leaves have a faded appearance, as soon as they unfurl, then wait, and the color will darken with time.

How Often to Water Prayer Plants

Water prayer plants when the top couple of inches of soil are dry. These plants like damp conditions but also like to dry out some before getting more water. Feeling the soil is the most dependable way to know when your prayer plant needs water. Give the plant a deep drink when it is time to water until excess water drains through the pot.

Plants in bright light will need water more often, and expect to scale back on the watering frequency during the winter months if the plant is dormant. Yellowing leaves are an indicator that the plant is getting too much water.

The only potentially tricky part about watering prayer plants is the water itself. Some members of the Marantaceae family are sensitive to hard water. Filtered water is a possible solution, or fill your watering can and let it sit for 24 hours before watering the plants. Minerals in the water will dissipate as the water sits, and it will be fine to use for watering sensitive plants. 

Best Soil for Prayer Plants

The best potting mix for prayer plants will be moist but well-drained. Neutral soil is alright, but expect the best results when grown in acidic soil with a 6.0 pH.

Temperature for Prayer Plants

Prayer plants are tropical plants, so they like to stay warm. Most homes are a comfortable temperature for prayer plants. Prayer plants are happy as long as the space is 65° to 85° F. Temperatures below 60° F can be damaging. Prayer plants may enjoy summers on the deck or a screen porch but get them back inside before the temperature dips.

Prayer Plant Humidity

Humidity is where things sometimes get tricky in terms of prayer plant care. These beauties need average to high humidity. Remember that the air’s moisture may change throughout the year, so while your plant may do amazing on an end table in your living room during the summer, that spot may not work out so well come winter.

You can help any spot be ideal for your prayer plants by using a humidifier or a pebble tray with water. Routinely inspect your plant for signs of low humidity, like browning along the edges or curling leaves, and adjust the conditions as needed.

Prayer Plant Fertilizer

Feed prayer plants during the spring and summer every two weeks. Use a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for houseplants and follow the instructions on the packaging. Prayer plants actively grow during the warmer months, and they need a break when the weather turns cold, so hold off on fertilizing during the fall and winter.

Pruning Prayer Plants

Prayer plants do not require much pruning. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed. Leaves that have dried-out edges due to low humidity can be trimmed. Use clean, sharp shears to remove the dead sections if less than half of the leaf is dead. Remove the entire leaf if more than half of the leaf is damaged. Cut back as far as possible when removing an entire leaf without preventing future growth. Many prayer plants push out multiple leaves from the same stem, so do not cut back so far that additional leaves will not grow.

Prayer plants typically produce flowers, but the blooms are not very showy and pale in comparison to the foliage. The flower stalks can be removed when the flowers fade. Some plant owners remove the flowers as soon as they emerge so the plant can direct all of its energy into the lovely foliage.

When to Repot Prayer Plants

It is time to repot your prayer plant when the roots poke through the drainage holes in the pot. You may notice that the plant’s growth has slowed, which indicates that it’s time for a bigger pot. Repot prayer plants when they are actively growing during the spring or summer.

Placing a plant in an oversized planter is never a good idea, but it is a particularly bad idea for prayer plants. Too big of a container means more potting mix, retaining more moisture. Select a container an inch or two larger than the root ball. A shallow planter is ideal, so the roots are not cramped but do not have any extra space.

Prayer Plant Propagation

Division is the only way to propagate prayer plants. This method involves dividing the roots to separate one plant into several. Prayer plants naturally create new plants and send up new shoots; with time, the plant will crowd itself. Gently separate the plants and trim the roots if necessary to get the plants apart. Make sure each plant has an adequate size root ball. Dividing is best done when repotting, so you can start all of the plants off in new pots with fresh soil.

Are Prayer Plants Pet Friendly?

Prayer plants are pet friendly, making them a safe addition to a home with furry companions. It’s always best practice to keep plants away from curious pets, but you can rest easy knowing that your cat or dog will be safe if they make a snack of your prayer plant. 

Prayer Plant Styling Tips

Prayer plants are stylish all on their own and don’t need any help. You can set the scene by selecting a coordinating pot to complement the lovely foliage. Prayer plants do best in a nursery pot with drainage placed inside a cover pot. Using an inner pot makes it easy to remove excess water to prevent overwatering.

Group several prayer plants together to create a vibe. Placing plants near one another increases the humidity in the immediate area for an added benefit.

Prayer Plant Care Tips

Now that you know the basics of prayer plant care, you can go out and expand your collection. Many plant owners (myself included) find prayer plants a challenge initially, but once you get the hang of things and figure out what these stunners need, they are easy to maintain.