Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

Prayer Plant Care: How to Grow a Healthy, Happy Maranta

Maranta leuconeura, Prayer plant close up. Bicolor leaves texture.
Photo Credit
Lina Mo
Botanical Name
Maranta leuconeura
Plant Type
Houseplants
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Purple
White
Hardiness Zone
11

Water & Humidity Tips to Keep Your Prayer Plant Thriving

Written By: Lauren Landers Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

If you’ve been praying for the perfect houseplant that’s both stunning and easy to care for, look no further than the prayer plant! These colorful beauties feature striking leaves with eye-catching patterns, but it’s their unique ability to move with the light that makes them truly remarkable. Plant care is simple once you understand their needs, and in this guide, I’ll share my top tips for keeping Marantas healthy, vibrant, and thriving indoors.

About Prayer Plants

Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) belong to the Marantaceae family, which includes other popular houseplants like Calathea and Stromanthe. They are closely related to plants such as ginger and canna, which thrive in warm, tropical areas.

Native to the warm and humid rainforests of South America, they naturally grow in the dappled light cast by taller trees and shrubs. In the home, these plants are at their best in bright, indirect sun, which allows their showy leaves to unfurl fully. As night falls and shadows spread, the leaves turn upwards like hands in prayer, conserving moisture and creating an ever-changing, mesmerizing display.

Although most commonly grown in pots or hanging baskets, prayer plants can be trained to trail over the edge of outdoor planters and grown outdoors in USDA Zones 11–12. When well-cared for, Marantas typically grow about 1 foot tall and wide and may produce tiny purple or white flowers in summer—though flowering can be rare indoors. These houseplants are also nontoxic to pets, making them a safe and beautiful choice for homes where furry friends are afoot! 

Exotic Maranta Leuconeura Fascinator plant leaves on dark blue background
Prayer plant leaves in full display — a living pattern that moves with the light. Credit: Firn

Read Next

Planting

Bringing home a prayer plant is like adopting a little piece of the rainforest—vibrant, expressive, and surprisingly low-maintenance once it’s settled in. But first, it needs a proper welcome.

  • Inspect the plant: Before repotting, check for signs of stress like yellowing leaves or compacted roots. Gently remove any dead foliage and give the roots a quick look—if they’re tightly wound or circling the bottom, it’s time for a new pot.
  • Choose the right container: Prayer plants prefer snug quarters. Avoid oversized pots, which can lead to soggy soil and root rot. I always use terracotta pots that are just 1–2 inches wider than the nursery container. Terracotta breathes well and helps regulate moisture, especially in humid climates.
  • Use fresh potting mix: A well-draining mix is key. I like to blend standard indoor potting soil with a handful of perlite and a touch of orchid bark to mimic the airy, loose soil these plants love. You want moisture retention without sogginess.
  • Plant at the same depth: When transferring your prayer plant, keep it at the same soil level it was growing in. Gently firm the soil around the roots and water thoroughly to help it settle.
  • Find its happy place: They thrive in bright, indirect light and high humidity. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. A north or east-facing window works beautifully, or you can supplement with a grow light if needed.

Water
Soggy soil is the number one nemesis of prayer plants and can cause root rot. To avoid this, grow your plants in well-draining pots, feel the soil before watering, and only water when the top 1 inch of potting mix feels dry. If your tap water contains salts or additives, consider using distilled or rainwater to prevent brown leaf edges.
Light
Bright, indirect light is ideal, while full sun can scorch or bleach delicate leaves. Prayer plants can tolerate lower light, but insufficient light may cause them to become leggy.
Humidity
High humidity helps these houseplants thrive and prevents leaves from turning brown and crispy. Keep your plants away from drafts, heaters, and air conditioners. If your home is dry, use a humidifier or place the plant in naturally humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
Temperature
Maintain indoor temperatures between 65° and 80°F (18° to 27°C) for healthy growth. Sudden drafts, cold windows, or heat vents can stress the plant, causing leaves to curl or brown. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 60°F (15°C), as cooler conditions slow growth and increase susceptibility to disease.

Fertilizer

Prayer plants grow best if you feed them about once a month during the growing season, and withhold all fertilizer in fall and winter. Ideally, you'll want to choose a liquid organic fertilizer intended for houseplants and feed your prayer plants about once a month from spring through fall—or according to the instructions on the fertilizer packaging.
Toxicity
One of the best things about prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) is that they’re entirely nontoxic for pets, making them a safe choice for homes with curious cats, dogs, or other furry friends. You can enjoy the beauty of these vibrant, patterned leaves without worrying about nibbling paws or accidental ingestion.

Types

If you love the look of prayer plants, you may want to grow similar-looking houseplants, like calatheas or stromanthe. Alternatively, you can collect a few different color variants of prayer plants and display them all together for a colorful show that changes with the light!

  • Red Prayer Plant: Also known as the herringbone or tri-color prayer plant, red prayer plants have the most colorful leaves with deep red patterning and undersides!
  • Green Prayer Plant: These prayer plays have a lighter and brighter look with bright green leaves without any red coloration.
  • Rabbit’s Foot Prayer Plant: A lesser-known variety, ‘Rabbit’s Foot’ has dark splotches on its green leaves, which are said to look like the footprints of a rabbit.
Misting a Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator Tricolor’ Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator Tricolor’ Prayer Plant. Credit: RigsbyPhoto

Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

The most common reason why prayer plants fail or look bedraggled is due to watering and humidity issues. If you want your plants to look their best, provide them with the right care and keep an eye out for these potential issues.

Leaf troubles are the most common visual signs of stress:

  • Brown leaf tips or edges: Often caused by low humidity, dry indoor air from heaters or AC, tap water salts, or inconsistent watering.
  • Leaf curling or folding during the day: Usually a sign of too much direct sunlight or too little light.
  • Yellowing leaves: Can result from overwatering, underwatering, or inadequate light.
  • Slow growth or small leaves are common for indoor prayer plants and usually indicate a need for more bright, indirect light or occasional fertilization during the growing season.

By keeping an eye on these common pests and troubles and adjusting care as needed, your Prayer Plants will stay vibrant, healthy, and their signature leaves fully unfurled—a joy for any indoor gardener.

prayer plant with brown leaf tips
A common Prayer Plant problem: brown leaf tips from low humidity or over/underwatering. Credit: cmg9

Pests: Spider mites and mealybugs sometimes affect prayer plants, especially when bringing new plants into your home or placing houseplants outdoors in the summer. Quarantining new arrivals for a week or two is the best way to prevent infestations. If pests do appear, organic insecticidal soap sprays work well to keep your plants safe and healthy.

Potting and Repotting

How Often to Repot 

Prayer plants grow slowly, so they don’t need frequent repotting. Every 2 to 3 years is usually enough—unless you spot roots creeping out of the drainage holes or notice the soil drying out unusually fast.

When to Repot 

Spring is ideal, when the plant is actively growing and not in bloom. That said, repotting can be done in other seasons too—just avoid disturbing it while it’s flowering, as prayer plants can be sensitive to change.

How to Repot a Prayer Plant

  • Remove the plant gently: Grasp the stems near the base and wiggle the pot loose with your free hand. If it’s stubborn, run a butter knife around the inner edge to loosen the soil.
  • Inspect and clean the roots: Shake off excess soil and run your fingers through the root ball to remove compacted mix. This is a great time to divide the plant if you want to propagate.
  • Replant with fresh soil: Use a well-draining mix and position the plant at the same depth it was growing before. Firm the soil gently around the roots.
  • Water deeply: Give it a thorough drink and return it to its preferred spot—bright, indirect light and high humidity.
Prayer Plants in hanging pots
Hanging prayer plants thriving in pots — the perfect display for bright, indirect light. Credit: Zeke Willard

Propagation

Prayer plants are typically propagated either from stem cuttings or root divisions. The best time to take cuttings or divisions is either in spring or summer, when pruning your plants or repotting them into larger containers.

Stem Cuttings

  1. Take 3- to 5-inch-long stem cuttings from healthy plants that aren’t in bloom. Each cutting should have at least 1 or 2 leaves and should be cut off at a leaf node.
  2. Place the cuttings into a glass of clean water, or dip the cut stem ends in rooting hormone and bury them 1 inch deep in pots filled with damp potting mix or seed starter.
  3. Keep cuttings in bright indirect light and water regularly to keep the substrate damp until they root.  Cover with clear plastic to maintain humidity.
  4. Once rooted, pot them individually, water well, and care as usual.

Root Division

  1. Remove your prayer plant from its pot and gently shake the plant to separate its roots into divisions. Each division should have a healthy nest of roots and at least a few stems and leaves.
  2. Plant the divided plants in their own pots, and water them in!

Seasonal Care

Prayer plants need fertilizer and more water when they’re actively growing in spring and summer. But you’ll want to reduce watering and stop fertilizing your plants in winter when they aren’t actively growing. Continuing to water prayer plants heavily in fall and winter can lead to root rot.

Although prayer plants rarely need pruning, they can spread out over time and trail over pot and planter rims. If you prefer plants with a more compact or bushier look, prune off wayward stems at a leaf node in spring or summer. Save the trimmings for propagation if you want to, and follow these quick and easy growing tips to keep your prayer plant in top form.

Wit and Wisdom

Prayer plants aren’t just beautiful—they’re full of surprises! 

  • They’re relatives of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), a tropical plant grown for its edible starch, which is used in cooking and candy-making.
  • Across cultures, prayer plants carry spiritual and symbolic meaning, often associated with gratitude and protection.
  • If your prayer plant’s leaves don’t fold up at night, it’s sending a clear message: too much light! Move it to a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and watch it resume its nightly ritual.

Houseplant Guides
About The Author
Lauren Landers

Lauren Landers

Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Lauren is a gardener, writer, and public speaker with over a decade of experience helping others learn about gardening, homesteading, and sustainable living.She combines years of practical gardening a...
Read More from Lauren Landers

More Like This

Comments