1. Getting started with your Prayer Plant
Where to place your Prayer Plant
Place it somewhere bright but never under direct sunlight
If your plant is casting a sharp & defined shadow, the light is too hard. We're looking for a shadow that's soft and blurred. Harsh sunlight can fade away its colour and scorch its foliage
Potting your Prayer Plant
Leave it in its nursery pot
Your plant is comfy in its nursery pot. It's best to let it acclimate to the lighting, temperature, and humidity in its new home for at least 2 weeks before repotting it
Pro tip: if you purchased a planter with your plant, you can simply place the nursery pot in that planter
2. Continually caring for your Prayer Plant
Watering your Prayer Plant
Water when the soil is half-way dry
Marantas like ~50% of their soil to dry out between waterings. We like to use a chopstick to check. Gently insert the chopstick 1/2 of the way into the soil to the bottom; if the chopstick comes out:
1) Clean: your soil is sufficiently dry and needs a watering
2) Dirty: you'll know the soil is still moist and doesn't need a watering
Rule of thumb: expect to water your plant every 1-2 weeks, and more often with more light. Having said that, soil moisture should be your primary indicator for when you should water your plant, as the time may vary
When watering, gently pour until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom and discard any excess water. Remember, never use cold water as this will shock your plant's roots
Finding your Prayer Plant's favourite temperature
Like most houseplants, Prayer Plants are happiest between 18°C-30°C
Repotting your Prayer Plant
Prayer plants aren't large growers and won't need to be replanted often (once every 3-4 years)
When it's time, use a high-quality potting mix and transfer your Prayer Plant into a pot that's a about 1-2 inches in diameters larger than its current one
Cleaning/pruning your Prayer Plant
Though tedious, gently wiping your Prayer Plant free of dust with a damp rag once in a while will help it soak light and breathe through the little pores on its leaves (stomata)
Some common problems with Prayer Plants
1. Brown edges
Usually caused by a dry environment; if your plant is next to an AC vent, try moving it to an area with less air flow.
2. Curling leaves
Usually caused by underwatering. Follow the watering guide above, and if the soil is dry, time to give your plant a drink!