How to Grow Prayer Plants as Houseplants

Prayer plants ( Goeppertiaspp . and cvs . , syn . Calatheaspp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) are arguably among the most stunning houseplants you’re able to tote up to your collection . Though they come up in many different shapes and styles , they are known for their typical foliage . The geometric , braidlike pattern on the leaf looks almost painted on . Prayer plants are also notable for the front of their foliagethroughout the day in a process lie with as nyctinasty . Like most plant in the Marantaceae family , they move their leaves up at nighttime and take down them in the day in accord to a circadian rhythm . Though the genusCalatheawas recently reclassify asGoeppertia , you will still see them labeled as the former at most garden centers and online . Here are a few things to know when caring for these beautiful but finicky plants .

Tips for growing prayer plants

Provide indirect light and high humidity

Prayer plant take hopeful but collateral light to flourish ; direct sun will cause the leave to burn . These plants can tolerate lower idle conditions indoors , but they require at least four to six 60 minutes of indirect lighting to maintain their bright colouration and patterning . Prayer plants spring up well in humid environments . Consider embed yours in a sub - irrigated planter or setting it on a pebble tray with water to increase the humidness around the industrial plant . Frequent misting in winter can also avail increase the relative humidity temporarily .

Keep the soil moist

These are water system - loving plants that choose consistency in soil moisture . Their soil should never be allow to amply dry out out . petition plants can be sensitive to some of the mineral and chemical treatments found in tap piss and will exhibit brown along the sharpness of the leaves if they are endanger to too much of them . Consider water with filtered weewee if you ’re unsure about the salt and mineral contentof your water faucet body of water . These are wonderfully expressiveplants ; if the grunge is too wry , the leaves will curl inward , indicate that it is time for a drink . They are very resilient and generally take a hop back from short droughts if they are watered adequately .

Three prayer plant species steal the show

Pinstripe prayer flora is a coloured classic

G. ornata(syn . C. ornata ) , Zones 9–11

This grim burgundy species is call pinstripe prayer plant for the bright pink stripes that persist along unsubtle , two-dimensional leaves . It can go on the big side at 3 understructure tall and wide , which help to show off the beautiful reddish coloring on the underside of the leaf .

Rattlesnake supplicant plant tolerates neglect

G. insignis(syn . C. lancifolia),Zones 9–11

This mintage is one of the most popular , and for respectable reasonableness . The patterning of its leaves is unparalleled , and it ’s very live if underwatered or overwatered . Smaller than pinstripe prayer plant , it will make 1 to 2 feet grandiloquent and wide .

Peacock orison plant has contrasting leafage

G. makoyana(syn . C. makoyana ) , Zones 9–11

This stunner ’s foliation is bright and sheer . The patterning look particularly painted on , and the undersurface of the leaves exhibit unbelievable pink and purple chromaticity that contrast with the dark-green shades on the top of the leaf . This coinage will max out at 2 feet tall and wide of the mark .

What’s eating your prayer plant?

Spider mites know appeal plants . you’re able to recognise an plague by observe spotted or curling foliage , often with webbing . The insects themselves are extremely small and may not be seeable to the naked oculus . Regularly misting and wiping the leaves of your plant with a microfiber cloth will do wonders to keep these pests at true laurel . Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves , wherepests often hide . For acute infestations , moot an organic product such as Mite - X or a horticultural rock oil .

Rebecca Bullene is the cofounder of Greenery Unlimited , a Brooklyn - based and online plant shop .

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