How to Care for a Maranta Leuconeura

Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) get their name from the habit of folding their leaves at night as though in prayer. Although prayer plants can produce simple white flowers in a humid environment, such as a tabletop conservatory, most people grow them for their large, dark green, variegated leaves. Some varieties feature dark red veins that form a herringbone pattern. Prayer plants grow to a height of 12 inches, with a spread of 12 to 16 inches.

Mister
Tray of pebbles
Liquid house plant fertilizer
Potting soil
Pot

Instructions

- 1
  Place the prayer plant near a north- or east-facing window where it will receive bright but not direct sunlight. In direct sunlight, leaves will bleach out and curl.
- 2
  Keep temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 3
  Water when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch, which is about the length of a finger to the first knuckle. After 20 minutes, pour off the water that collects in the saucer under the plant.
- 4
  Mist frequently to raise the humidity around the plant. In a dry environment, though, misting won't be enough to keep the foliage from drying out. In that case, place the plant on a tray of pebbles and add enough water so that the water level doesn’t quite reach the top of the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it will increases the humidity around the plant.
- 5
  Fertilize every two weeks in the spring and summer with a house-plant fertilizer mixed at half strength. Reduce to monthly feedings in the fall and winter.
- 6
  Repot annually in the spring, replacing most of the old soil with new. Keep the soil loose around the roots.

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