Prayer plant (Calathea marantina)
Care, watering, light and tips for Prayer plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Marantaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Prayer plant
Calathea marantina, locally known as Yana shinki panka, is a stunning tropical plant prized for its distinctive and vibrant foliage. Its elliptical leaves feature intricate patterns of light and dark green hues, often with a deep purple underside, creating a visual spectacle that makes it ideal as a focal indoor plant or in large terrariums.
Native range
Tropical rainforests of South America, particularly Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
Care tips
It requires bright, indirect light; direct sunlight will scorch its delicate leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, using distilled or rainwater to prevent salt buildup. It thrives in high humidity environments, benefiting from regular misting or a nearby humidifier. A common mistake is allowing the soil to dry out completely, which can cause the leaf edges to become crispy.
How to save a dying Prayer plant
- Warning signs
- Curled leaves, brown tips, general yellowing, drooping leaves.
- First aid
- Increase humidity, water with distilled/filtered water if soil is dry. Move from direct sun.
- What kills it
- Lack of humidity, chlorinated water, direct sun, cold drafts, dry soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! With quick environmental changes and proper care, it can recover.