How to care for Prayer plant
Watering
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) likes its soil kept evenly moist during the growing season, but never soggy. Its thin, fleshy rhizomes rot quickly in waterlogged soil, so the pot must drain freely. Use room-temperature water, ideally rainwater or filtered water, because the plant is sensitive to salts and fluoride, which often cause brown leaf tips. Water when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and slow down noticeably in winter when growth stops.
Does it need water today?
Press a finger about 2 cm into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water now. If it feels cool and damp, wait a day or two. Lifting the pot is also useful: a freshly watered pot feels clearly heavier than one that is nearly dry. Droopy, curled leaves that stay limp after watering can also signal thirst, but check the soil first.
Water slowly until liquid runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer after 15 minutes. Prayer plants prefer humidity, so a pebble tray or a room humidifier helps far more than extra water in the pot.
Overwatering
Prayer plant roots need oxygen as well as moisture, and its rhizomes are prone to rot when they sit in wet soil. Dense soil or a pot without drainage holes holds water around the roots and quickly causes problems. Cold rooms in winter make this risk even higher because the soil dries very slowly.
Symptoms: Yellowing lower leaves, soft or mushy stems near the soil, a sour or musty smell from the pot, black or brown rotting rhizomes, and leaves that droop even though the soil is wet.
Solutions: Stop watering and let the top few centimetres dry out. Remove the plant from its pot, cut away any black, mushy roots or rhizomes with clean scissors, and repot into fresh, well-draining potting mix in a container with drainage holes. Water sparingly until new growth appears.
Underwatering
Prayer plant has shallow, fine roots and large leaves that lose water quickly, especially in warm, dry indoor air. Because its soil is meant to stay lightly moist, letting it dry out fully causes fast stress. The leaves respond by folding and drooping to reduce water loss.
Symptoms: Leaves curling inward or folding upward, brown dried edges and crispy tips, limp drooping stems, and soil that pulls away from the pot edges.
Solutions: Water thoroughly using the bottom-watering method until the soil is evenly moist again. If the root ball has shrunk away from the pot, soak the whole pot in water for 30 minutes. Then increase humidity and water a little more often during warm months. Most leaves will recover within a few days, although badly crisped leaves will not regain their colour.
Sunlight
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) grows naturally on the forest floor in tropical South America, under a canopy of taller trees. It therefore thrives in bright, filtered light and is easily damaged by harsh direct sun. Too little light makes the striking leaf patterns fade to plain green, while too much sun bleaches and scorches the leaves.
- Ideal: Bright, indirect light · 6-8 hours of bright, filtered light per day
- Tolerates: Partial sun, Shade
- Best spot in a room: Near the window
- Artificial light: If natural light is limited, use a full-spectrum LED grow light placed 30 to 45 cm above the foliage for 10 to 12 hours a day. Plants under artificial light still benefit from a daily period of darkness of about 8 hours, which helps the leaves open and close as they naturally do.
Too little light
Prayer plant needs enough light to produce the vivid veining and colour that make it attractive. In dim conditions the plant grows slowly, produces smaller leaves, and loses its markings. Stems also stretch toward any available light, creating a weak, leggy plant.
Symptoms: Pale or dull leaves with faded markings, slow growth, long leggy stems with wide gaps between leaves, and leaves that stay flat instead of folding up in the evening.
Solutions: Move the plant closer to a bright east or north-facing window, or to a spot where it receives bright indirect light for most of the day. Rotate the pot every week so all sides receive light. Add a full-spectrum LED light if needed, and avoid sudden moves that shock the plant.
Too much sun
Prayer plant leaves are thin and easily damaged by strong sunlight. Direct midday sun, especially through glass, heats the leaves quickly and draws moisture out faster than the roots can replace it. Pale, bleached areas on the leaves are a sign that the plant has received too much light.
Symptoms: Bleached or yellowish patches on the leaves, brown crispy scorched spots, faded colours, leaves that curl or roll tightly, and dry leaf edges even when the soil is moist.
Solutions: Move the plant a metre or more back from a sunny window or place a sheer curtain between the plant and the glass. Remove severely scorched leaves with clean scissors, because they will not recover. New growth should look healthier once the plant is in gentler light.
Temperature
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a tropical understory plant from Brazil that grows best in steady, warm indoor conditions. Keep it between 18 and 26°C, away from drafts, heaters, and cold windows. Sudden swings in temperature cause the leaves to curl, brown, or drop.
- Ideal: 18–26 °C
- Tolerates: 12–32 °C
- Hardiness zones: 10-12
Fertilizing
Prayer plant is a light feeder. Its thin roots are sensitive to strong fertilizer, and salt buildup shows up quickly as brown leaf tips. Feed only while it is actively growing in spring and summer, and rest it in autumn and winter.
- Slow-release fertilizer: Not needed for most homes. If you repot in spring with fresh potting mix, you can skip slow-release fertilizer, since liquid feeding is enough for this species.
- Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20), diluted to half strength, Liquid fertilizer for foliage plants with added micronutrients, Organic liquid seaweed or fish emulsion, diluted well
Soil
Maranta leuconeura needs a light, airy, well-draining mix that stays evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Its fine roots are prone to rot in dense or compacted soil, so the mix should crumble easily and let excess water drain quickly.
- Peat-free houseplant mix with perlite: Two parts peat-free all-purpose potting mix to one part perlite, with a small handful of orchid bark added for airflow.
- Peat-based African violet mix with added perlite: Two parts African violet or general indoor peat mix to one part perlite, optionally mixed with a little coir for moisture retention.
- Leaf mould and coir blend: Equal parts leaf mould and coconut coir with a quarter part perlite, suited to gardeners who want a more natural, humus-rich mix.
- pH 5.5–6.5
Repotting
Repot Maranta leuconeura in spring or early summer, when it is actively growing. Use a shallow pot with drainage holes and a loose, well-aerated mix, since its fine roots sit near the surface and dislike soggy conditions.
- How often: every 1-2 years
- New pot: Move up only one pot size (2-5 cm wider in diameter) each time, as Prayer plant roots stay compact and waterlogged soil in an oversized pot is a common cause of rot.
- Repotting season: Spring, Summer
How to repot
- Tip the pot on its side and gently ease the root ball out, supporting the stems with one hand.
- Loosen the outer roots with your fingers. Trim away any black, mushy or hollow roots with clean scissors.
- Place a thin layer of fresh mix in the bottom of the new pot so the plant sits at the same depth it was growing before.
- Set the root ball in the centre, then fill around the sides with mix, pressing lightly to remove large air gaps.
- Leave about 2 cm of space below the rim so water does not run off the top when you water.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the holes, then empty the saucer.
- Keep the plant out of direct sun and away from draughts for about two weeks while it settles.
Pruning
Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just above a leaf node or at the soil line. Remove no more than about one-third of the plant at once, so it keeps enough leaves to photosynthesize.
Pruning season: Spring, Summer
How to prune
- Remove dead, crispy, or fully yellow leaves by cutting their stalks at the base, so no stubs are left behind.
- Trim brown leaf tips with scissors, following the leaf's natural edge shape, or remove the whole leaf if browning covers most of it.
- Pinch or cut back long, leggy stems to just above a leaf node to encourage branching lower on the plant.
- Thin out crowded or tangled stems at the base to improve airflow and reduce fungal problems.
- Avoid heavy pruning in late autumn and winter, when growth slows and the plant recovers more slowly.
- After pruning, water normally, keep the plant in bright indirect light, and wait for new growth before fertilizing again.
Propagation
Division at repotting · Spring
- In spring, when the prayer plant has outgrown its pot, slide the plant out and gently tease apart the rhizome-like clumps so each piece has several stems and roots.
- Pot each division into its own container, about 2 cm wider than its root ball, using a light, peat-based mix with added perlite.
- Water lightly, keep in bright indirect light at 18 to 24 °C, and mist or keep humidity high until new leaves unfurl.
Stem cuttings in water · Spring, Summer
- Choose a healthy stem with at least two leaf nodes and cut just below a node with clean scissors.
- Place the cutting in a glass of room-temperature water so the lowest node is submerged and the leaves stay above the water.
- Set the glass in bright, indirect light away from hard afternoon sun. Change the water every few days.
- When roots are 3 to 5 cm long, usually in two to four weeks, pot the cutting in moist, well-draining potting mix.
Stem cuttings in soil · Spring, Summer
- Take a 8 to 10 cm stem cutting with two or three nodes, and remove the lowest leaves.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you like, then insert it into a pot of damp perlite or a half-and-half perlite and peat mix.
- Cover loosely with a clear plastic bag or dome to hold humidity, and keep at 21 to 26 °C in bright, indirect light.
- Vent the cover daily and keep the medium barely moist. Roots typically form in three to six weeks; then transplant into a standard mix.
Prayer plant cuttings root most reliably in spring and early summer, when light and temperature are high. Keep humidity moderate to high, and avoid letting cuttings sit in cold, soggy soil, which causes stem rot.
About Prayer plant
Also known as: Prayer plant, Herringbone plant, Rabbit tracks plant, Cardinal's prayer
- Plant type: herb, perennial groundcover
- Lifespan: perennial
- Distribution: Native to the understory of the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil.
- Mature height: 15-30 cm
- Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors; occasionally in spring or summer
Pets · People
Pets: Safe · People: Safe. Non-toxic to cats, dogs and children according to the ASPCA. Eating leaves may cause mild stomach upset in pets, but it is not a serious poisoning risk.
Common problems
- Brown leaf edges: Usually caused by low humidity, dry air or irregular watering. Raise humidity and keep the soil evenly moist.
- Yellowing leaves: Often caused by overwatering or soggy soil that leads to root rot. Let the soil dry more between waterings and check the roots.
- Fading leaf patterns: Too little light makes the leaves greener and duller. Move the plant to brighter indirect light.
- Scorched leaves: Direct sun, especially through glass, burns the leaves and leaves pale or crispy patches.
- Spider mites: Fine webbing and speckled leaves in dry conditions. Wipe the leaves, raise humidity and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.
Uses
Grown almost exclusively as an ornamental houseplant and in indoor plantings, prized for its patterned foliage. It has no significant medicinal, culinary or industrial use in common practice.
Is it edible?
not edible
History & legends
Maranta leuconeura was named in honour of the Venetian physician and botanist Bartolomeo Maranta, a 16th-century writer on plants. It was introduced to European horticulture in the 19th century and became a fashionable greenhouse plant in Victorian Europe, admired for its unusual leaf patterns and night movements.
Did you know?
The leaves fold upward at night and open again in daylight, a movement called nyctinasty that is driven by changes in water pressure inside special cells at the base of each leaf.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Prayer plant?
every 7 days. Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) likes its soil kept evenly moist during the growing season, but never soggy. Its thin, fleshy rhizomes rot quickly in waterlogged soil, so the pot must drain freely. Use room-temperature water, ideally rainwater or filtered water, because the plant is sensitive to salts and fluoride, which often cause brown leaf tips. Water when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and slow down noticeably in winter when growth stops. Press a finger about 2 cm into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water now. If it feels cool and damp, wait a day or two. Lifting the pot is also useful: a freshly watered pot feels clearly heavier than one that is nearly dry. Droopy, curled leaves that stay limp after watering can also signal thirst, but check the soil first.
How much light does Prayer plant need?
Bright, indirect light (6-8 hours of bright, filtered light per day). Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) grows naturally on the forest floor in tropical South America, under a canopy of taller trees. It therefore thrives in bright, filtered light and is easily damaged by harsh direct sun. Too little light makes the striking leaf patterns fade to plain green, while too much sun bleaches and scorches the leaves.
What temperature does Prayer plant like?
18–26 °C. Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a tropical understory plant from Brazil that grows best in steady, warm indoor conditions. Keep it between 18 and 26°C, away from drafts, heaters, and cold windows. Sudden swings in temperature cause the leaves to curl, brown, or drop.
Is Prayer plant toxic to cats and dogs?
It is safe for cats and dogs. Non-toxic to cats, dogs and children according to the ASPCA. Eating leaves may cause mild stomach upset in pets, but it is not a serious poisoning risk.
What are the most common problems of Prayer plant?
Brown leaf edges: Usually caused by low humidity, dry air or irregular watering. Raise humidity and keep the soil evenly moist. Yellowing leaves: Often caused by overwatering or soggy soil that leads to root rot. Let the soil dry more between waterings and check the roots. Fading leaf patterns: Too little light makes the leaves greener and duller. Move the plant to brighter indirect light. Scorched leaves: Direct sun, especially through glass, burns the leaves and leaves pale or crispy patches. Spider mites: Fine webbing and speckled leaves in dry conditions. Wipe the leaves, raise humidity and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.
When should I repot Prayer plant?
every 1-2 years. Repot Maranta leuconeura in spring or early summer, when it is actively growing. Use a shallow pot with drainage holes and a loose, well-aerated mix, since its fine roots sit near the surface and dislike soggy conditions.
How do I propagate Prayer plant?
Division at repotting, Stem cuttings in water, Stem cuttings in soil. In spring, when the prayer plant has outgrown its pot, slide the plant out and gently tease apart the rhizome-like clumps so each piece has several stems and roots. Pot each division into its own container, about 2 cm wider than its root ball, using a light, peat-based mix with added perlite. Water lightly, keep in bright indirect light at 18 to 24 °C, and mist or keep humidity high until new leaves unfurl.
How this guide was written
Verdiss writes each guide with AI from botanical references and checks the species against iNaturalist and Plants of the World Online (Kew). Readers can rate every guide in the app.
Sources
Verdiss's information is for general guidance. Never eat or use a plant as medicine based on an app: ask a professional.