Prayer Plant

Care guide

The prayer plant gets its name from its leaves, which lie flat during the day and fold upwards at night. It is a fascinating plant to watch. Give it medium, indirect light; direct sun fades the beautiful red and green patterns. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, watering when the top two centimetres are dry. Like calatheas, it prefers rainwater or filtered water and dislikes minerals in tap water. Humidity matters: brown, crispy leaf edges are a sign that the air is too dry. A pebble tray, regular misting or a humidifier helps a lot. The prayer plant stays compact and looks lovely in hanging pots or on tables. Feed every month in spring and summer at half strength. Trim leggy stems to encourage fuller, bushier growth.