Prayer Plant
Prayer Plant
Named for Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian physician and botanist of the sixteenth century, the Maranta genus includes a few dozen low-growing plants native to the American tropics. The plant gets its common name from the fact that its leaves stay flat during the day and then fold up like praying hands at night.
Size: 4"
Houseplants are restocked weekly at Petal & Stem! Our Houseplant section of the website is for your reference and to let you know the variety of houseplants we can get in stock. If you would like to order this specific plant, please contact the store and we will get it ordered for you!
Care Instructions
Light
You can hang or set your prayer plant near a window where it will receive indirect sunlight. Never set your plant in direct sunlight because the sun will scorch the plant’s leaves or the leaves will develop blotches or patches and fade in color intensity. The plant is generally tolerant of lower light areas. In the winter, when the plants go into dormancy (and sometimes die back completely), provide them with bright light to maintain growth.
Soil
You can use a general-purpose houseplant potting soil provided it is well-draining. If you are using soil that does not drain well, add perlite or coarse sand to the mixture. To improve drainage, add rocks or gravel to the bottom of your pot and be sure that the pot has a drainage hole.
Water
During the growing season, water frequently and never allow the potting soil to dry out. Water the prayer plant when the top of the potting soil is just starting to become dry. These plants are very susceptible to drought; however, to avoid fungal problems, do not let water sit directly on the leaves or let the plant get soggy. Insufficient water and overwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop from the plant. When watering, use water that is at least at room temperature if not slightly warm. In the winter months, reduce watering.
Temperature and Humidity
A prayer plant prefers normal household temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures can damage the leaves. Prayer plants prefer a very humid environment and the humidity in homes is often too low. Use one of the following methods to increase humidity levels: place a small humidifier or bowl of water near the plant, fill a tray with small stones and add water just to the level of the stones and place the pot on top of the stones, or mist the leaves with room temperature or warm water.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your prayer plant every two weeks from early spring through fall. Dilute a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer (10-10-10) to half strength. If you use too little fertilizer, your plant will grow slowly or hardly at all. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots—leaves will start to brown and you can even kill the plant. Reduce fertilizing to once a month or so in the winter.
Potting and Repotting
You should not need to repot your prayer plant often. But, if it becomes root-bound or pot-bound, it will grow much slower. If you repot, choose a pot that is only one to two inches wider than the existing pot. During repotting, gently remove the plant from its container, shake roots clean, and place the plant into a new container with fresh potting soil. Water well. The best time to repot is in the spring before the growing season starts.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
SHIPPING TIMES
Thank you so much for ordering from Petal & Stem! Petal & Stem is, for the most part, a one woman operation. This means that each new order will be shipped in the most timely manner possible. In-stock items will ship from Petal & Stem within 2-3 business days of the purchase date on most occasions I am a one woman show, so if it takes a few extra days, please be patient. Once your order ships, it should arrive in 3-5 business days depending on your selected shipping preferences.
Please note that your order may experience delays due to a high volume of orders during promotional events or Holidays.
Please note that I ship Monday-Friday, and do not count weekends or US holidays as business days.
STANDARD SHIPPING: USA
I ship most US orders via UPS or USPS depending on the size and weight of the order and which items are ordered. I prefer to ship in as few boxes as possible to conserve materials, but in the event that one or more of your items will require additional processing time, I will ship your available items as soon as possible.
EXPRESS SHIPPING
Express Shipping is not available on the website at this time. Please give me a call at 308.497.2292 if you need something expedited.
Flower, Balloon & Live Plant Deliveries
Floral bouquets, balloon bouquets and live plants are available for local delivery and delivery within a 25 mile radius of Spalding, Nebraska. Delivery prices depend on location.
In town: $3.00
Within 10 miles of Spalding: $6.00
Out of town (10-25 miles): $15.00
PRICING POLICY
All prices in our store and online are in US dollars and are subject to any applicable taxes according to state and local laws. Availability, prices and delivery rates are subject to change. There may be errors in the prices, descriptions or images of certain merchandise, and I reserve the right to restrict orders of those items.
RETURN POLICY
First, I want you to know that your satisfaction is what matters most at Petal & Stem. If you order something from Petal & Stem and you don't absolutely love it out of the box, rest assured that you can return most items within 30 days of delivery for a refund.
DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED ITEMS
If I made a mistake, I'll take care of it. If you received a defective or damaged product, please let me know as soon as possible. Give me a call at 308.497.2292 or send me an email at michelle@shoppetalandstem.com so that we can get the situation sorted out. Make sure to put Defective or Damaged Item in the subject line.
STANDARD RETURNS
Petal & Stem's return policy covers returns of most products in new condition up to 30 days after delivery.
If you've decided you don't like what you ordered after having it in your home for a couple of weeks, no problem. In order to return your item, please mail the product to:
You will receive a full refund for your item(s) once the items have been returned to the store. Return shipping charges will be the customers responsibility and original shipping charges are not reimbursable.
EXCHANGES
Because Petal & Stem is a small business, I do not carry large quantities of each item that is available. If you would like to exchange something within 30 days of purchase give me a call at 308.497.2292. Shipping is not covered on exchanges. Exchanges are allowed in store at any time within 30 days.
How To Order Houseplants
Houseplants are restocked weekly at Petal & Stem! Our Houseplant section of the website is for your reference and to let you know the variety of houseplants we can get in stock. If you would like to order this specific plant, please contact the store and we will get it ordered for you!