Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant)

Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant)

This is one of the most common houseplants in my opinion. They’re easy to get, but not so easy to take care of. They require a little extra TLC.

Maranta, Calathea and Stromanthe all require similar care. Keeping them in medium indirect light is helpful, a few feet back from the west or south window or right near an east or north window would work. If they get too much bright light it can bleach their leaves, but not enough light will make them look sickly and pale as well.

These prefer a tropical substrate mix. I like to use equal parts sand, sphagnum moss and potting soil. The sphagnum will help hold moisture without suffocating the roots. You could use coco coir instead if you can’t find sphagnum.

Water when the soil is dry 1/2 way down. These can also be sensitive to city water, and too much chlorine—so if you want to be really extra you can use distilled. Collecting rain water is another option.

These plants also prefer their own humidifier and soft music—but for real, they love humidity above 50%, closer to 60% is ideal. You can do a pebble tray, but an actual humidifier is more effective. If you want you can mist the leaves, just make sure you do it in the morning so it has time to evaporate throughout the day.

Tell me, do you have a prayer plant? Is it happy and thriving? Anything you’ve learned that’s helpful?

Maranta, Stromanthe, Calathea care:

-medium indirect light ☀️

-water when 1/2 of soil is dry 💧

-fertilize in spring and summer 🌱