Plant Encyclopedia
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) plant care guide
intermediatehouseplant

Prayer Plant Care Guide

Maranta leuconeura

Also known as: Maranta, Prayer Plant

Watering

Summer

Every 8 days

Winter

Every 12 days

Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

Light

Medium indirect

A few feet from a window, or north-facing

Humidity

60-70%

High humidity lover. Consider a humidifier or pebble tray.

Pet & Child Safety

Safe for pets and children

Pot & Soil

Prefers a shallow, wide pot. Keep soil consistently moist with a well-draining peat-based mix.

Pot-size watering

The 8-12 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy.

Shallow roots

This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long.

Soil refresh

Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

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Good to Know

Leaves fold up at night like praying hands.

Frequently asked

How often should I water Prayer Plant?

Every 8 days in summer and every 12 days in winter is the reference range. The 8-12 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy. Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

What light does Prayer Plant need?

Medium indirect. A few feet from a window, or north-facing.

Is Prayer Plant safe for pets and children?

Yes - Prayer Plant is safe for pets and children.

What humidity does Prayer Plant prefer?

60-70%. High humidity lover - consider a humidifier or pebble tray.

What soil and pot does Prayer Plant need?

Prefers a shallow, wide pot. Keep soil consistently moist with a well-draining peat-based mix. This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long. Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

Is Prayer Plant beginner-friendly?

Prayer Plant is a houseplant at intermediate difficulty - manageable with a bit of care attention.

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