pictures of different types of prayer plants

How many prayer plants are there?

There are anywhere from 40-50 species or types of prayer plant. Of the many varieties of Maranta, only two prayer plant varieties make up the bulk of nursery stock used as houseplants or for other ornamental uses.

What does a prayer plant look like?

Prayer Plant Overview

The prayer plant has wide, oval-shaped, dark green leaves with white or light green running down the spine of the leaf. The veins that run up the leaves can be several shades of red, as are the undersides of the leaves.

How do you look after a prayer plant?

Place your Red Prayer Plant in bright, indirect light. Avoid putting it in direct sun—too much sun will fade the leaf colors and burn the foliage. Keep the soil consistently moist when your Prayer Plant is actively growing in spring and summer, but reduce water from fall through late winter.

Why does my prayer plant not closing at night?

Why is my prayer plant not closing? If it sits near a lamp or other light source at night, it may not be getting dark enough for the leaves to fold up. Try moving it to a new location away from the light to see if it adjusts to light and dark conditions.

Is a prayer plant a hanging plant?

Prayer plant is a low, spreading plant that's often grown in hanging baskets, but will also grow horizontally along a tabletop or other surface. ... Prayer plant does produce flowers, but they're not large or particularly showy. This is a good houseplant to grow for its leaves.

What is a prayer plant called?

Prayer plant, (Maranta leuconeura), also called praying hands, flowering plant of the family Marantaceae, native to the New World tropics. It has spreading leaves that turn upward toward evening, seemingly in prayer for evening vespers.

Where should I put my prayer plant?

Hang your plant from the ceiling in a west or south facing room. Find a corner where direct light cannot reach the plant and hang it so it gets proper light exposure and grows properly. Proper light exposure results in a prayer plant with rich, green stems and colorful leaves.

Why is my prayer plant not praying?

Your prayer plant may not prayer if: It's not getting enough light. It's getting too much light. It's too wet.

Where do you cut a prayer plant to propagate?

Use ordinary potting soil when repotting the prayer plant. Stem cuttings can also be taken from spring to early summer. Take cuttings just below the nodes closest to the bottom of the stem. Cuttings can be placed in a mixture of moist peat and perlite and covered with plastic to retain moisture levels.

How long do Prayer plants live?

If you are unable to care for your Prayer Plant and provide it with the conditions it needs to grow then it will only last a few months or maybe a year. However if you're able to nurture it in the right environment then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to keep your plant for forty year or even seventy.

Do prayer plants like coffee grounds?

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.

What is indirect sunlight?

Indirect light is sunlight that either passes through a medium—a window shade or the leaves of a tree—or reflects off another surface before reaching a plant. ... Indirect sunlight ranges from the bright indirect light of east-facing windows to the fainter, indirect light of north-facing windows.

Do all prayer plants close up at night?

The prayer plant just folds up its act every night. In fact, no matter what time it is, if you put the plant in the dark, its leaves will close together within about 15 minutes. The folded leaves resemble hands folded in prayer, hence its common name.

Why are the tips of my prayer plant turning brown?

Why do prayer plant leaves turn brown? Prayer plants with brown tips can be caused by low humidity, improper watering, excess fertilizer or even too much sun. Cultural conditions are easy to change and soon your beautiful houseplant will be back to its glossy glory.

What is a pebble tray?

A pebble tray is simply a tray or shallow dish filled with pebbles or small rocks and water. The idea is to place your potted plant on top of the pebble tray filled with water.

When should you repot a prayer plant?

Care of Prayer Plants

Repot the plant if you see roots growing out of the drainage holes, if you need to water more frequently or if the plant stops growing. Don't expect to have to do this often, as prayer plants don't mind being slightly root bound.

What are prayer plants good for?

Marantas (Prayer Plant): Gratitude

If you want to give someone a “thank you” gift, a Maranta can help symbolize your gratitude. Depending on the variety, Marantas can grow in low, medium, or bright indirect light, and usually need water just before the soil starts to feel dry to the touch.

What plant represents healing?

Aloe (Aloe vera)

Healing and protection.
Great for: People interested in holistic health.

Why do prayer plant leaves move?

leuconeura its common name of the prayer plant, in reference to the common hand position during prayer. ... Plants don't have muscles and tendons to move the leaves around though, so how does this movement occur? The nyctinastic movement in leaves is all due to something called the pulvinus.

How do you get a prayer plant to bloom?

Use a fertile, well-drained, soil-based potting mix, and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry, then reduce watering frequency during winter. Place in a location receiving bright indirect light but out of direct sunlight, as too much sun bleaches the color from the foliage.