Sweet Prayer Plant Plant Care
Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Benth. ex Eichler
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Thaumatococcus daniellii, also known as miracle fruit, is a plant species from tropical Africa of the Marantaceae family. It is a large, rhizomatous, flowering herb native to the rainforests of western Africa in Sierra Leone, southeast to Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Sweet Prayer Plant?
Water Sweet Prayer Plant every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sweet Prayer Plant Native To?
What Is the Sweet Prayer Plant?
Sweet Prayer Plant (Thaumatococcus daniellii) belongs to the Marantaceae family within the Thaumatococcus genus. Sweet Prayer Plant is native to the rainforests of western Africa in Sierra Leone, southeast to Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sweet Prayer Plant is also known as Miracle Fruit, Katemfe, African Sweetener.
Sweet Prayer Plant displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sweet Prayer Plant produces small white flowers enclosed in large green bracts.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sweet Prayer Plant?
Thaumatococcus daniellii requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sweet Prayer Plant Need?
Sweet Prayer Plant thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Sweet Prayer Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sweet Prayer Plant Prefer?
Thaumatococcus daniellii grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Sweet Prayer Plant prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sweet Prayer Plant?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Prayer Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sweet Prayer Plant?
Feed Sweet Prayer Plant every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sweet Prayer Plant?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Sweet Prayer Plant?
Sweet Prayer Plant can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds.
Is the Sweet Prayer Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sweet Prayer Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sweet Prayer Plant?
Sweet Prayer Plant is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sweet Prayer Plant Need?
Sweet Prayer Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sweet Prayer Plant is native to the rainforests of western Africa in Sierra Leone, southeast to Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In cooler regions, grow Sweet Prayer Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Sweet Prayer Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Thaumatococcus genus — compare its care with other Thaumatococcus species on PlantoScan.
Thaumatococcus is part of the Marantaceae plant family — browse all Marantaceae genera and species.
Sweet Prayer Plant copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Benth. ex Eichler, family Marantaceae (first published in Beitr. Morph. Marant. : 68 (1884)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sweet Prayer Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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