Maranta Care

Maranta care

Unlike the notoriously difficult Calathea, the Maranta is quite easy to take care of. It's important to water your Maranta every week, to make sure it's not in dry soil for more than a few days. Like its natural habitat, you need to make sure that your Prayer plant is never exposed to direct sunlight.

How much sun does a Maranta need?

Marantas do best in bright, indirect light but will tolerate a bit of shade. Avoid direct sunlight, as this will scorch the leaves, and keep away from draughts. Provide a minimum temperature of 15°C and avoid rooms with regular temperature fluctuations.

Should I mist my Maranta?

Botanical Classification: Maranta leuconeura The Red Prayer Plant is an easy plant—place it in a sunny spot, keep it's soil damp, and mist it's leaves once a week and it will flourish.

How often do you water Maranta?

Wait to water your Maranta once the soil is at least half way dry during the warmer months. Allow the soil to become totally dry during Winter. Generally I find I am watering about once every 2-4 weeks.

What is the lifespan of a prayer plant?

It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. This houseplant performs well in both bright or indirect sunlight and strong artificial light, and can therefore be situated in almost any well-lit room or location. It prefers to grow in average to moist soil.

Do prayer plants like tap water?

Water Quality There may be too much fluoride, salt or chlorine in your tap water–especially if you use a water softener. Water your Prayer Plant with distilled water or leave a pitcher of tap water uncovered overnight so the minerals can evaporate before watering.

Do prayer plants like to be misted?

Regular misting will help them thrive Prayer plants can be demanding when it comes to their humidity levels. To keep them really happy, you could give them a light misting when they look a little dry and sad. Misting every day is ideal, but if that feels like too much, once a week will suffice.

How do I make my prayer plant more bushy?

If you want to make your prayer plant bushy, prune it. Use a sterilized pair of garden scissors and clip the stems right above a leaf node. The prayer plant will respond by sending out new shoots directly below the cut area, making for a bushier appearance!

Do prayer plants like shallow pots?

Pot requirements: Prayer plant has shallow roots, so a pot that is somewhat shallow and wide is more suitable than one that is tall and deep. Plant in a pot with adequate drainage holes that is slightly larger than the root ball.

Should I Bottom water my Maranta?

Bottom watering also eliminates the possibility of splashing water onto the leaves of your Prayer Plant. Water on the leaves can cause white spots as it dries or allow fungal disease to develop. It's a good idea to wipe any water off the leaves of your Maranta.

Should I cut the brown tips off my prayer plant?

Any time you see a leaf turning yellow or brown on your Prayer Plant, or if it accidentally gets torn or broken, go ahead and cut that part off. Unfortunately, a damaged leaf can't regain its health and will eventually die and fall off anyway. A quick removal will keep your plant healthy and looking good.

Why does my prayer plant curl up?

Leaves will curl if the plant is cold, or excessively dry from constant warm airflow. Your Prayer Plant is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves on a regular basis, using a pebble tray, or moving a humidifier nearby.

Where should I place my prayer plant?

Prayer plants prefer indirect sunlight as opposed to direct sunlight and thrive in shady but warm areas. Since they are native to rainforests, you should provide the plants with lower light, controlled by either location or some type of cover.

Why is my prayer plant getting brown tips?

Too Little Soil Moisture If your prayer plant has brown tips or leaf margins and you are not watering very frequently, too little moisture could be the problem. The members of the Marantaceae family like to have moist – but not soggy or waterlogged – soil.

Are prayer plants high maintenance?

Prayer plants come in many varieties, all of which feature beautiful leaf patterns, making them popular ornamental houseplants around the world. The trouble is, however, they're not the easiest plants to care for—they have some high-maintenance needs.

What is special about a prayer plant?

The prayer plants (also called praying hands, Obedience Plant) gets its name for its unique habit of raising the leaves to an upright position at night time like the way children put their hands together to pray. The leaves fold like hands during prayer.

When should I repot my prayer plant?

Prayer plants won't need to be repotted often, but when they become root-bound, they will grow much more slowly. This will indicate that it is time to change containers. If you decide to repot your prayer plant, you should only do so in the spring or summer months.

Do prayer plants like coffee?

Do prayer plants like coffee grounds? Coffee grounds are commonly used to boost the nitrogen content of potting soil and to add a mulch-like texture. However, adding too much coffee on top of the soil your plants are in can trap moisture inside and invite fungal disease.

Do prayer plants like full sun?

Sunlight: This plant is generally tolerant of lower light areas. However, the leaves won't fully open during the day if there isn't enough light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of the prayer plant or cause the color to fade. It prefers bright but indirect sunlight.

Is a bathroom a good place for a prayer plant?

Calathea, often called prayer plant because of the way its leaves open during the day and close at night, will thrive in medium to low light and the added humidity that a bathroom would provide. Although beautiful, with dramatic foliage, calathea can be a diva and needs consistent watering, pruning and feeding.