Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Care, watering, light and tips for Prayer plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Marantaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura, commonly known as Prayer Plant, is a tropical houseplant renowned for its vibrant foliage and nocturnal movement. Its oval leaves feature intricate patterns of red, green, and silver veins, folding upwards at night like hands in prayer. It is ideal for shelves, low tables, or hanging baskets, adding an exotic and dynamic touch to any space.
Native range
Tropical rainforests of Brazil
Care tips
It prefers bright, indirect light; direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, watering when the top layer of the soil feels slightly dry. It requires high ambient humidity, so misting its leaves regularly or placing it near a humidifier is beneficial. A common mistake is insufficient humidity, which can cause leaf tips to dry out and become crispy.
How to save a dying Prayer plant
- Warning signs
- Curled or drooping leaves (lack of humidity/water), brown and dry edges (dry air/underwatering), yellow leaves (overwatering).
- First aid
- Increase ambient humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray. Check watering, keep it consistent but avoid waterlogging. Remove severely damaged leaves.
- What kills it
- Dry air, persistent lack of humidity. Overwatering leading to root rot. Forgetting it needs indirect, warm light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, usually! It's very resilient. Act quickly with humidity and watering, and it will recover. 🌿