A slow-grower, the prayer plant can eventually reach up to a foot in height indoors.
They arepopular as houseplantsand can be planted and cared for indoors during any time of the year.
Poorly drained soil can cause the plant to die fromroot rotor collapse.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Light
Bright to medium indirect sunlight will allow your prayer plant to thrive.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight which can burn this plant’s delicate leaves.
Prayer plants generally tolerate low-light areas but may develop leggy growth in very low-light conditions.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
In the winterwhen the plants go into dormancy, provide them with bright light to maintain growth.
Soil
Prayer plants require well-draining, loamy, andacidic soilto thrive indoors.
These sensitive plants prefer filtered or distilled water where possible.
The Spruce / Amy Sheehan / Adrienne Legault
These plants are very susceptible to drought and will not survive long if left unwatered.
Temperature and Humidity
Prayer plants thrive in humid environments.
Normal household temperatures (between 60F and 80F) are usually good enough.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
If you use too little fertilizer, your plant will grow slowly or hardly at all.
However, too much fertilizer can burn the plant’s roots.
Prayer plants andcalathea plantsare so closely associated with one another that it’s common for them to be mislabeled.
Firn / Getty Images
Pruning can help to encourage a more bushy appearance.
Additionally, pruning is a great way to remove leggy growth or leaves that have turned brown or yellow.
Pruning Tip
Looking for the best pruners to use on your prayer plant?
skymoon13 / Getty Images
We tested over 25top-rated prunersin our Lab to check that your houseplant stays happy and healthy.
Watering issues can include both overwatering and underwatering.
Yellow leaves can be an early warning sign that root rot is beginning.
A lack of sunlight will also result in yellow leaves as the plant sacrifices leaves to preserve its energy.
Sometimes, plants that are underwatered will develop yellow leaves that will eventually become brown, crispy leaves.
Prayer plants that need more light will undergo a similar process.
These issues will cause your plant to go into shock and begin dropping its leaves.
Is This the Right Plant for You?
Prayer plants are considered slow growers and generally reach about 12 inches at their tallest.
Yesin fact, prayer plants will often grow most successfully indoors.
They require very tropical conditions which can be hard to achieve outdoors in many parts of the country.
Yes,prayer plants can bloomwhen grown indoors under the right conditions.
Mature and happy prayer plants will display delicate white and light pinkish-purple flowers in the spring and summer.
Take this as a great sign that your plant is happy with its growing conditions!
You Might Also Like
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“Prayer Plant.”
