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ULTIMATE SECRETS OF MARANTA PRAYER PLANT CARE
Maranta leuconeura sometimes referred to as praying hands, is a flowering plant in the Marantaceae family. Moreover, native to the tropics of the New World. It has spreading leaves that transform upward into the evening, apparently in prayer for the Vespers of the evening. The plant can be cultivated in ideal climates as a ground cover and is a popular houseplant in temperate regions. In this guideline, we will cover some prayer plant care tips.
With feathered, painterly-like centers of light green and red veins, the Maranta Red Praying Plant has soft dark green leaves. For window sills, mantles, or shelves that need a splash of color, the vivid foliage and gradual growth make this a great plant. The Red Prayer Plant is a simple plant to put in a sunny place, keep the soil moist. Moreover, spray the leaves once a week and it will thrive.
The prayer plant is a slow-growing plant that is about four and eight inches long and four inches wide with oval-shaped leaves. They can grow well with temperature and sunshine, as well as good soil. Although the branches appear to hang down instead of standing erect, they are longer than tall.
Deep green, velvety leaves with yellow splotches traveling to the leaf margins are the common tricolor type. A well-grown Maranta should have complete, six-inch-long leaves rising and draping down from a small central stem. . However, Maranta prayer plant care required special attention. So, prayer plant care tips are discussed in this article.
Why it is called a prayer plant?
All right, the leaves don’t dance around or something. But they curl up like praying hands at night, which is where it got the prayer plant nickname. The herringbone rose, its other nickname, derives from the designs on the leaves. Currently, there are around 50 distinct species of prayer-plants.
What are the main prayer plant care tips?
This is a constant, but as long as you take care of it, it will last for several years. But the procedure is not that rough. To make the prayer plant satisfied, you do not need to do too much. It’s going to be perfect just as long as you keep it warm enough. Moreover, give it a touch of light once in a while. Although if you wish it to thrive, any of the actual practices of treatment should be practiced.
- Soil Consistency
The soil should be damp but well-drained and acidic for this herb. The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.0, respectively. Like a potting blend you can find at any department store or nursery, it should have a lot of hummus blended into it. Or by combining one part of sand or perlite, a part of loamy earth, and two parts of peat moss. You can make your own.
A general-purpose houseplant potting soil may also be used, provided it is well-draining. Add perlite or coarse sand to the mixture if you are using dirt that doesn’t drain well.
Add rocks or stones to the bottom of the pot to maximize drainage, and make sure that the pot has a drainage hole.
- Proper light
You can hang or set your prayer plant near a window where it will receive indirect sunlight. Never set your plant in direct sunlight because the sun will scorch the plant’s leaves. Moreover, the leaves will develop blotches or patches and fade in color intensity. The plant is generally tolerant of lower light areas. In the winter, when the plants go into, provide them with a bright light to maintain growth.
Important tip: For 24 hours, keep your prayer plant in one place and see how it responds to the sun. Move it somewhere or further away from the window if it appears wilted or the leaves tend to curl.
- Fertilizer
From early spring through autumn, fertilize your prayer plant every two weeks. To half power, dilute a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer (10-10-10). Your plant grows slowly or not at all if you use very little fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots, leaves can begin to brown and the plant can also be destroyed. Reduce fertilizing in the winter about once a month or so.
- Proper water
Water regularly and never let the potting soil dry out during the growing season. When the top of the potting soil is just about to become dry, water the praying plant. These plants are very prone to drought. However, should not allow water to remain directly on the leaves or let the plant get soggy to prevent fungal problems.
The leaves can turn yellow and fall from the plant due to inadequate water and overwatering. When gardening, use water that is, if not slightly hotter, at least at room temperature. Reduce irrigation in the winter months.
- Humidity
A prayer plant likes usual temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the home. The leaves may be affected by lower temperatures. Prayer plants prefer a very humid climate and there is always too little humidity in households.
To raise humidity levels, use one of the following methods: place a small humidifier or water bowl near the plant. Moreover, fill a tray with small stones and add water and place the pot on top of the stones. Besides this spray the leaves with room temperature or hot water.
Important tip: Try leaving the praying plant in a planter in your bathroom. They’re going to enjoy the post-shower humidity.
Benefits of Maranta prayer plant
- Remove toxicity
Great air purifiers are praying trees, eliminating toxic pollutants, enhancing ventilation, sleep, and mental clarity. They look beautiful and houseplants are easy to maintain, giving you a relaxing task that removes tension. Lastly, they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects.
- Provide calming energy
Studies have found that having prayer-plants in our workspaces increases concentration and productivity. Moreover, we also that this is one of the many mental health advantages of home plants. They also tend to ease tension and encourage well-being, usually making us feel more at home with our surroundings.
Studies have also demonstrated that large plants can tolerate and soften remarkable levels of background noise. Therefore rendering them particularly relaxed in our offices and studios.
Problems with prayer plant
- Growing problems
If the tips of the leaves turn brown or curl up, the praying plant gets too much sun. The chlorine present in drinking water can also cause brown tips. Using filtered water or allow the water to stay for 24 hours before watering the plant.
- Diseases
If you find water-soaked stains on your leaves, you’re almost probably dealing with helminthosporium leaf spots. If not regulated, this disease will decimate your prayer plant. The best way to remedy this is to resist over-watering the plant and avoid making the leaves too wet. You can also use neem oil to suppress an ongoing epidemic.
Pruning and repotting of prayer plant.
- Pruning
One of the important prayer plant care tips is to prune it regularly when required. You can prune your prayer plant if you want to promote more robust growth. Using a sterilized pair of garden scissors to cut the stems right above the node of the leaf. The prayer plant will respond by sending out new shoots immediately below the cut area, making it look like a bushier!
- Potting and repotting
You do not have to repot your prayer plant much. Although if it becomes root-bound or pot-bound, it can expand even more slowly. Moreover, If you repot, pick a pot that is just one or two inches bigger than the current pot.
During repotting, gently remove the plant from its container, clean the roots, and put the plant in a new container with fresh potting soil. The best time to repot is in the spring before the growing season begins.
Propagating Prayer Plants
It is shockingly quick to disperse prayer-plants. Any Maranta species may be propagated by stem cuttings or by the division of rhizomes. The most common (and easiest) way to disperse this plant is to split it when repotting.
- Division
When repotting, you will split your praying plant into a few smaller plants. Moreover, by softly shaking the soil away from the roots and working them apart. Any new plant should have a large mass of roots and many stems. Pot these new smaller plants in small, shallow pots separately. Keep new divisions warm and damp for the first few weeks before new growth occurs.
- Cutting
Create a stem cut below the node of the leaf. Dip the cutting into the rooting hormone and put it in a glass of water. Moreover, and make sure that the water varies every two days or so. If the roots are established, position the cutting directly into the potting soil. Keep the soil damp and fog in the plant from time to time.
Conclusion
We have seen that the Boston fern Maranta prayer is an excellent houseplant to keep. It has several health benefits for humans. Moreover, it adds to your esthetic value. However, above mentioned prayer plant care tips needs special attention. Try to avoid all the things that cause harm to your fern plant.
Read More:
Houseplant propagation techniques
