Photo: Prayer plant — Marci Howdyshell · CC BY 4.0. Photo resized from the original.
Plant guide
Prayer plant
Maranta
Light
Bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the leaf pattern, and in too little light the leaves fade as well.
Watering
In spring and summer keep the soil evenly moist; in winter let it dry out between waterings. Don't let water sit at the base of the stems — they rot easily. It's sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which turns the leaf tips brown.
Air
Needs very humid air: stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or run a humidifier nearby. Keep it warm and out of cold draughts — it can't take the cold.
Toxic?
Cats: Not toxic · Dogs: Not toxic — More about pets
People: Not listed as poisonous.
This is normal
- In the evening the leaves rise and fold together like hands in prayer, then open out again by day.
- It spreads outwards rather than growing tall.
Watch out for
Spider miteMealybugFluoride and chlorine in waterDry air
How often for your pot?Days and millilitres for your pot — counted like in the app.
Count it →Sources: NC State Extension · Illinois Extension · RHS · Iowa State Extension · UF/IFAS Extension · UConn · ASPCA. Every line is checked against two of them.