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.