Prayer Plant Plant Care

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) belongs to the Marantaceae family within the Maranta genus. Prayer Plant is native to Brazil. Prayer Plant is also known as Maranta, Herringbone Plant, rabbit's foot.

Prayer Plant displays a clumping, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Prayer Plant produces white, two-lipped flowers with purple spots on long, slim flower spikes..

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Prayer Plant every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Prayer Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Prayer Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Maranta leuconeura tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Prayer Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Prayer Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Prayer Plant every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Prayer Plant is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Prayer Plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 0 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Prayer Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Prayer Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Prayer Plant can be propagated through division or stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Prayer Plant is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Prayer Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Prayer Plant is native to Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Prayer Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.