Maranta Plants – The Best Care Tips For You

The Maranta Plant is a gorgeous plant with distinctive characteristics that is an ideal addition to the collection of any plant enthusiast.

This article will explore everything you need to know to keep your Maranta Leuconeura healthy and content.

If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, we will explore numerous alternatives for you to consider. Read this guide to its maintenance and learn more about the unique characteristics that make the prayer plant so remarkable.

What Are Maranta Plants?

Common names for the Maranta plant include Prayer Plant, Praying Hands, and Prayer Plant. This ornamental plant from the family Marantaceae has oval leaves that are light green with irregular dark markings.

While the remainder of this article concentrates on indoor cultivation, this Maranta may be grown outdoors in zones 11 to 12.

Origin And Family

Prayer Plant is a member of the genus Maranta and the family Marantaceae, and it comes from the rainforests of South America.

This decorative plant, discovered by an Italian physician, Bartolomeo Maranta, has become a favorite among houseplant collectors in recent years. In spring, you’ll get to witness it blooming.

Where To Buy

You can typically find Maranta cuttings or full-grown plants online, and one of our favorite sites to buy from is Etsy. In our experience, plants are guaranteed to arrive healthy in sturdy boxes packed with care.

The price tags for a Maranta Plants are usually reasonably affordable, ranging between $7 to $42.

Maranta Plants Plant Size

When grown as a houseplant, the Maranta Plant grows and spreads to a height and width of 6-12. These indoor plants are usually slow growers that flourish when facing a window or placed in a northern window where they will receive indirect and not much sunlight.

Maranta Plants Care Needs

Like any other houseplant, your Maranta Plants will flourish with proper care. This plant, which has magnificent foliage, prefers well-drained, loamy soil that is reasonably moist throughout the year.

Most farmers should water their Maranta when the top 25 percent of the soil is dry. Allow ample water to drain through the pot’s excess water drain hole. This attractive plant requires brilliant indirect light to thrive; thus, it should be placed in low-light locations.

Consult our detailed care guide for more specific suggestions!

Care Difficulty

Due to its light, water, and humidity requirements, the Praying Hands plant is typically reasonably simple to care for. To cultivate this plant successfully, you must pay close attention to the amount of light and soil type.

Plant look #2 is with my beautiful Maranta. 🌿✨ pic.twitter.com/IIEOXInrQq

— marissa (@spookylilpeach) May 26, 2020

Growth Rate

The Prayer Plant plant measures 6-12 inches in height when grown indoors. The warmth of spring jumpstarts this plant’s growth spurt.

Potting

Maranta plants generally prefer a pot with good drainage. The best way to pot your maranta plant is using a container with drainage holes, which is essential to keep excess water from drowning the roots of your Prayer Plant.

Repotting

Maranta Plants typically need to be repotted if you start seeing roots growing out of the drainage holes. It also needs repotting if you need to water it more frequently or if the plant stops growing. When this happens, carefully remove the plant from its pot but be careful not to disrupt the leading root ball. You can then transfer the plant into a bigger pot. The roots will adapt quicker when planted on the same substrate that it’s used to.

Soil

The Praying Hands plant is moderately easy to care for, and it only needs to be planted in moist but well-drained soil to stay healthy. If you plan to prepare your own soil mix, we recommend that you add in some peat moss.

Your Maranta will love it if the soil is maintained consistently moist. However, drainage and aeration are essential requirements for all types of soil.

Here are some recommended potting soils:

pH

You should aim for a pH between neutral and acidic. The pH level of moist soil is already near this range, so you shouldn’t be too concerned.

If your plant is experiencing issues, you could test the pH of the soil to determine if this is the cause.

Water

The watering frequency will vary based on the temperature and the humidity in your plant’s surroundings. Generally speaking, your Prayer Plant prefers a relatively moist growing medium.

Avoid overwatering your Prayer Plant. When the top inch or one-fourth of the soil is dry, it is time to water the plant. Watering the dirt directly and avoiding wetting the leaves can prevent fungal diseases. Allow the water to flow through the base of the pot. Don’t forget to empty the tray if your plant is sitting in one.

Light

Coming from the rainforests of South America, this plant is used to receiving bright indirect light, so it is best to put it under low light conditions. In an indoor setting, 4-6 are the recommended hours of exposure for your Maranta Plants.

Avoid exposing your Maranta Plants to direct sunlight, as this could cause irreparable harm or kill it. If your plant is exposed to too much light, its dark green leaves may get scorched and dry. When this occurs, move the plant away from the window or use drapes and blinds to diffuse the light entering the room.

If your green prayer plant is not receiving enough light, its leaves will close at night and not fully open during the day. In such a situation, you can relocate your plant closer to a window. Additionally, you can complement it with grow lamps. The following artificial lighting products are recommended:

Fertilizer

An all-purpose liquid fertilizer is ideal for the Praying Hands plant. NAME SPECIFIC FERTILIZER, for example, would work. During the spring, feed your plant every two weeks.

Propagating Maranta Plants

It is feasible to propagate a Prayer Plant using the appropriate techniques. Here are several methods for growing this ornamental houseplant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Cuttings and replanting are the most straightforward method for propagating a Prayer Plant. Sometimes seeds are accessible, but they may be challenging to locate and germinate. The optimal time to reproduce your plant is in early spring.

1. Locate a segment of the stem with healthy, new growth and at least one node. Use clean garden shears to trim this portion.

2. Plant the clipping directly into sterile soil.

3. Always keep the soil moist and maintain an ambient temperature of roughly 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Enclose your plant in a plastic bag to trap humidity and promote rapid root development.

5. For even growth on all sides, periodically rotate the container.

finally got my hands on this maranta “lemon lime” prayer plant! 🌿😍💚🔥 pic.twitter.com/mTnYv3LGZG

— PLNT WHSPR 🪴 (@atkelli_) January 26, 2021

Stem Cuttings In Water

Here are the steps in successfully developing Praying Hands cuttings in water:

1. Use a sharp knife to trim the stem below a node. Remove flowering branches and lower leaves to allow your cutting to focus on root development.

2. Place the cutting in an old glass bottle and fill it with water. Any portion of the stem submerged in water should be devoid of leaves.

3. A well-lit window with good airflow is the ideal location for your new plant. It loves a humid environment, so keep a humidifier nearby to keep the leaves perky.

4. Check every 3-5 days to see if the water needs to be replenished with a clean batch.

5. When the roots are about an inch or longer, your cutting is ready to be potted in soil.

Division

A Prayer Plant can also be propagated by dividing the clusters of stems with entangled root systems.

1. Tap the sides of the container with your tiny shovel to loosen the soil. To extract the plant, gently pull on it.

2. The natural limit of each stem should be visible. With your hands, separate them. It may be necessary to clip the roots, but take care not to disturb the significant root balls.

3. Repot each piece in smaller containers with the same soil as before.

Humidity And Aeration

A Maranta Plant is a beautiful plant that loves high humidity. Keep the humidity level between 50-60% at all times.

Use a basic hygrometer to measure the relative humidity of the air surrounding your Maranta Plants. If the humidity level is too low, you can increase it using the following techniques:

• Plants produce moisture from their leaves through transpiration; therefore, they will benefit from one another if they are kept near.

• Place a flat tray filled with pebbles and water beneath the plant’s container. The plant receives some nutrients from the evaporating water.

• Invest in a humidifier for your houseplants, which will continuously release steam and increase the room’s relative humidity.

Temperature

Prayer Plant plants flourish at temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they prefer stable temperatures, so keep them away from windows and openings that may let in cold air during the winter. Additionally, keep them away from vents and other heat sources that can dry the air.

Flowers

The Prayer Plant may produce white, substantial blossoms, although this is unusual in indoor environments. Outdoors, this plant blooms in April.

Non-Toxic

The Praying Hands plant is non-toxic to children and animals. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the plant’s consumption will not damage dogs or cats, and it does not contain any toxic compounds.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The Maranta Plants are not resistant to disease and pests. Here are some common diseases, disorders, and bugs, as well as their respective treatments.

Spider Mites

Insect pests can occasionally be brought into the home by houseplants. An example is the spider mite, and larvae are not visible; however, adult mites can be observed scurrying around when disturbed.

Spraying your plant’s leaves with diluted neem oil will help eliminate spider mites in their larval stage. There are also excellent organic Pyrethrin sprays for killing adult mites. When applying pesticides indoors, select compounds that are non-hazardous for human inhalation.

Fungus Gnats

The fungus gnat larvae feed plant roots, not the adult fungus gnats. These pests adore moisture, and because your Prayer Plant prefers damp soil, it is especially susceptible to attack.

Fungus gnats are well named because, in addition to draining nutrients from the plant’s roots, they have a propensity to invite fungal infestations. Yellow sticky traps can detect the emergence of these insects and capture them in flight.

You can also use a cider-vinegar trap to attract gnats. Fill a cup with water and apple cider vinegar in equal parts. As an emulsifier, incorporate a few drops of liquid soap. Place the trap close to the afflicted plant and observe as the pests drown.

Mealybugs

On Prayer Plant, mealybug infestations are pretty standard. Act quickly if you discover these tiny parasites (typically recognizable by white puffs on the leaves) on any of your houseplants.

Pour isopropyl alcohol onto a cotton ball, and then massage it over the plant’s leaves and stem. Neem oil is also effective as a preventative spray.

Brown Leaf Tips

The brown blotches and leaves on your Prayer Plant could result from low humidity, overwatering, root damage, or soil compaction.

Occasionally, you may need to allow water to flow through the soil for a few minutes to remove excess minerals, salts, fertilizers, and pesticides. As long as you have a substrate that drains quickly and a container with drainage holes, you need not worry about drowning your plant’s roots.

Hi I’m Sally and I know a lot about plants. Here’s a list of recommendations for house plants. @ me if you have questions.

First up, Maranta aka red prayer plant. pic.twitter.com/HKMaUfElgy

— Sally Elshorafa (@sallykuchar) December 20, 2018

Drooping Leaves

If your Maranta Plant is not receiving the correct quantity of moisture and light, its leaves may begin to droop. Consult the sections on water and light above for the suggested care measures for your plant. Low humidity can also lead to drooping leaves, so check your environment’s humidity levels and ensure they meet your plant’s requirements.

Yellow Leaves

The yellowing of Praying Hands leaves can be caused by various reasons. Lack of light can deplete your plant of nutrients and cause its leaves to become yellow. Alternately, there could be a problem with underwatering, overwatering, or a generally uneven watering schedule.

Remove leaves that have turned yellow so the plant may concentrate its efforts on developing new, green leaves.

Root Rot

The Prayer Plant is frequently killed by excessive water, which causes root rot. Once decay has started in, it is impossible to stop. You have the highest chance of success if you entirely remove the root system and replant the plant as you would with a cutting. Obviously, it is always possible to take measures to prevent root rot. Start by providing your plant with a well-aerated, well-draining soil mixture. This can be accomplished by incorporating bulky materials that generate air spaces and allow the roots to breathe.

Next, choose a container based on its functioning, not just its appearance. Drainage is the most crucial necessity for houseplants. If your selected container lacks drainage holes, don’t be scared to use a drill!

Finally, refrain from watering your plant until you are sure the soil is no longer damp from your previous watering. Insert your finger or a wooden skewer into the soil to determine its moisture content.

Similar Plants

Love Prayer Plant? Here are some additional related plant ideas to consider:

Calathea Triostar – Because of its elliptical and pastel-colored leaves, the tropical plant Calathea Triostar is attractive. It belongs to the Marantaceae family’s Stromanthe genus and is natively from the rainforests of Brazil.

Calathea Louisae – Calathea Louisae is a tropical plant with a distinctive look that makes it ideal for indoor gardening. Thai Beauty, Thai Beauty Calathea, and C. are common names for this plant. Calathea Louisae is a Brazilian jungle plant belonging to the genus Calathea and the Marantaceae family.

Genus Calathea – It is a genus in the Marantaceae family with just over 300 recognized species. They inhabit the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America. Calatheas are usually overlooked in lists of popular foliage plants, despite their attractiveness. Calatheas of good quality can be made, but the production environment must be carefully monitored.

Red Prayer Plant – Red prayer plant is a popular and appealing houseplant native to Brazil. Maranta is the scientific name, and the variation is called ‘Erythroneura’, which means red veins in Latin. The red veins form a herringbone pattern, which gives the plant its other name: the herringbone plant.

Conclusion

The Maranta Plants are an excellent choice if you’re seeking a houseplant with some wow factor. Follow the advice above, and you’ll be well on maximizing your plant’s growth potential!

Can’t get enough of the plant guides from Maranta? Check out these additional Two Peas In A Condo choices!

Help us expand! This post contains affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you click on one and make a purchase. However, our judgments are our own, and we do not accept payment for positive ratings.