By Angel, Founder, Third Orbit Flora
Prayer plants are a favorite of many indoor garden enthusiasts. And it’s easy to see why, with their striking oval shaped leaves, a deep glossy green painted in a tapestry of red lines reminiscent of the tropical rainforests of Brazil from which it natively calls home. But despite its familiarity, there is something mysterious about this beautiful plant that stirs our desire to bring the jungle inside. Maybe it’s something to do with the nightly dance it performs?
The Red Prayer Plant’s enchanting propensity to move and sway as the shadows of night fall across each leaf’s face is a wonder of biology, called Nyctinasty. Each leaf folding closed upwards, a protective mechanism that helps remove surface water from foliage, but more importantly protects against the voracious inhabitants of the rainforest that would try and make a meal of such a morsel. Even in the safety of our homes, the Red Prayer plant continues its dance, reopening come morning to greet the sun and us.
In addition to the cool behaviors and beautiful ornamental qualities of Prayer Plants, some cultures believe that they bring luck and prosperity to the home. So who needs leprechauns and four-leaf clovers when you can have the Maranta Leuconeura ‘Red’? Otherwise known as the Red Prayer Plant. You might see other cultivars of this variety with names like ‘Fascinator’, ‘Tricolor’ or ‘Herringbone’. All of which offer similar beauty with slightly varied growth habits and markings.
This dazzling little plant is generally low-maintenance, so long as the amateur and avid gardener alike keeps a few things in mind.
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Growth Habits: Prayer Plants are relatively slow growing, typically only reaching heights of 12-18 inches, preferring instead to spread out. They colonize with woody rhizomes, much like some types of begonias, forming dense clumps over time that will need to be divided and repotted. Joy! More Prayer Plants every 1-2 years! Be sure to refresh the potting soil and prune off old or damaged leaves to promote those beautifully painted faces to keep growing healthy and fresh.
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Light: Remember, Red Prayer Plants are an under-canopy dweller, so they aren’t well adapted to direct sunlight. Instead, they prefer the dappled shade of the trees. In our homes, a good indirect light away from a bright window should give it what it likes, ensuring the vivid red veining of the leaves doesn’t turn into a crispy brown sunburn.
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Water and Soil: Moisture is a friend of Maranta plants, so keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy to prevent root rot. Well draining peat-based potting mix will provide adequate aeration and ensure the roots don’t stay waterlogged.
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Humidify: Speaking of moisture, the Red Prayer Plant thrives with more humidity than we generally like for our own selves. So keep a spray bottle handy to mist the foliage in the morning, or better yet, set the potted Maranta on a pebble tray with water that will evaporate over time, delivering the spa facial that keeps the Red Prayer plant looking so vivacious.
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Keep Warm: This goes hand in hand with making sure the temperature in the room stays a comfortable 65-75°F(18-24°C). Avoid sudden cool drafts and temperature fluctuations if possible. We are dealing with a tropical delight here, after all.
- Fertilize: Because Maranta plants live in our homes and see less light in the winter, it is normal for them to have a period of growth dormancy. Only fertilize our friend in the spring and summer months with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks when it’s actively growing. Winter means little to no new growth as it coasts its way through the cold months, waiting for the return of the warmth of the spring, dancing every evening and morning as though calling the sun back around in an endless cycle of life and rest.
At the end of the day, the Maranta family of plants can do more than just fold their leaves goodnight. They can brighten our homes and bring joy, if not luck and prosperity into our hearts. They are relatively easy to care for and offer so much visual interest. It’s easy to understand why they are a popular pick.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock image of Red Prayer Plant leaves.