The prayer plant(Maranta leuconeura) is a perennial favorite among novices and lovers of houseplants alike. Its name comes from the way its leaves fold inward at night. If one uses their imagination, the leaves could represent grateful hands folded in prayer.
A variety of cultivars possessing vivid foliage and distinctive designs are deserving of inclusion in indoor plant collections.
Luckily, there are a few hybrid plants among most available species, so cultivating them is essentially the same no matter which one you select.
These stunning natives of Brazil are well-liked in the trade, but they can be challenging to cultivate in a domestic setting. Given their tropical roots, they would much rather flourish in a humid greenhouse. But you can grow prayer plants like a pro with a few easy methods.
Prayer Plant Types
Some varieties of prayer-plants to seek for are as follows:
Red Prayer Plant
Known as the red prayer plant, Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura is one of the more widely distributed varieties of prayer plants. These stunning plants have dark green leaves with crimson veins extending from the center, which is blotched pale green. Every leaf has a red backside that looks stained like wine.
Lime And Lemon Prayer Plant
A red prayer plant variant called Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’ is distinguished by its lack of red pigment, which gives the plant a more vibrant appearance. It’s an excellent option for adding color to a neutral space because of the lime and lemon-colored leaves.
Plant For Prayer Rabbit’s Foot
Because of its lighter mint green leaves with darker blotching, Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana is also known as “rabbit tracks prayer plant” or “rabbit’s foot.” It looks modest and blends in nicely with other prayer-plants.
Praying Plant With Variegation
The maranta leuconeura cultivar ‘Fantasy’ is a rare variety with leaves speckled with white to cream-colored patches and bands and variegated with green and light green.
Praying Black Plant
Known as the black prayer plant, Maranta leuconeura ‘Massangeana’ bears deep green leaves with silvery ribs; however, it does not have the characteristic red veining on the upper side of the leaves found in red prayer-plants.
Where To Plant A Prayer Plant
Bathrooms and kitchens are great places to grow prayer plants since they thrive there in strong, indirect light that is also warm and humid. Keep the plants away from drafty windows, fans, air conditioners, and heaters.
How To Plant A Prayer Plant And When To Do It
When the prayer plant is actively growing in spring or early summer, plant it from a nursery. This makes it more likely that the plants will be able to recover from any harm sustained during the procedure. To prevent over-potting, which can result in root rot and other issues, pot the plants in a container one size larger than the nursery pot.
Tips For Caring For Prayer Plants
Brightness
Like many other tropical houseplants, prayer plants do best in bright, indirect light, comparable to their natural habitat’s intensely forested conditions. Plants should be placed close to windows but out of the direct sun. If prayer plants receive excessive light, they will burn or fade.
Water And Soil
The most excellent soil for prayer plants is one that has good drainage. While regular potting soil mixes are effective, adding perlite can enhance soil mixtures that contain a high concentration of water-retentive sphagnum moss. Combine one-quarter potting soil and three-quarters perlite.
Give your plant regular watering, but avoid letting the soil get too wet—especially in winter. Prayer plants occasionally slow down growth and go dormant. Allow the soil to dry down a little bit more after this to prevent rotting.
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Humidity And Temperature
Outside of greenhouses, bathrooms, and kitchens are ideal places for prayer-plants to thrive because of the higher humidity and warmth compared to other parts of the house. Lower temperatures can cause root rot and impede down plant growth. Low humidity also impacts plants, resulting in browning margins and dull foliage.
Apply Fertilizer
While the plants are actively growing, fertilize the prayer-plants approximately once per month. When watering as usual, use an all-purpose water-soluble mix and make sure to saturate the root ball area completely. For information on how much to use, refer to the box instructions.
Trimming
Prayer plants shouldn’t usually be pruned because doing so can stunt their development. On the other hand, dead leaves and stems can be pruned at any season.
Prayer Plant Potting And Repotting
Spring or early summer is the optimum time to pot (or repot) a prayer plant. Select a pot one size more significant than the prior pot or nursery container. Repotting prayer plants only needs to happen every two or three years because they grow slowly. Take the plant from its pot, shake it well to remove loose dirt, and then repot it in new soil.
Guidelines For Growing Prayer Plants
There are two main methods for propagating prayer plants: cuttings and divisions.
Separation:
To separate individual plants:
- Carefully take the plant out of the pot and shake it.
- Cut any attached stems or roots with sterile scissors or shears.
- Plant the separated plants in separate pots with potting soil that drains well.
A robust, white, and fibrous root system is ideal for plants. To remove air pockets, gently press down on the soil after placing each division in a container. Keep the pots in a bright, warm place and water them regularly.
Divisions:
From an established plant, cut off healthy stems with sterilized scissors or shears. Remove all except one or two leaves from the stem cuttings, then chop them no longer than one or two nodes per cutting. Fill the pots for the cuttings with a mixture of one-quarter potting soil and three-quarters perlite.
Each stem should be dipped in a powdered rooting hormone for about 1 inch. Make a hole in the ground big enough to fit roughly one-third of the cuttings using a pencil or finger; don’t lose the rooting hormone. Firm the dirt around the stem gently. Give the plants water, and place them in a brightly lit, warm, and humid area. A warming mat could be helpful.
The main features of a prayer plant’s appearance could be summed up in the conclusion to the article “What does a prayer plant look like?” It could contain information about its unique foliage, like the shape, color, and movement of the leaves, as well as their pattern. It might also describe the plant’s general size and development pattern, emphasizing any distinctive qualities that help plant aficionados recognize and enjoy it.