Prayer plants are one of the most popular houseplants for bringing a touch of greenery to any indoor space. With their distinctive lush foliage shaped like hands folded in prayer, they’re not only beautiful but relatively easy to care for as well—provided you know how! One key aspect of keeping your prayer plant healthy is learning how to properly repot it.
If you’re ready to get started, read on and discover all the tips and advice you need when repotting your prayer plant.
Does my prayer plant need repotting?
If your prayer plant is having trouble thriving, it might be a sign that it needs repotting. Prayer plants are relatively easy to maintain, however, if their roots become crowded in the pot, they can struggle to absorb nutrients causing yellowing leaves and wilting stems.
It’s best to do a checkup on your plant about every year or two to ensure it’s getting everything it needs for optimum growth and health. When repotting your prayer plant, use fresh soil and replace the pot with one slightly larger than the previous one; large jumps in size can cause shock leading to wilting or discolored leaves.
These beautiful plants add color to any room – make sure yours is always growing healthy by taking care of it with regular checkups!
When should you repot a prayer plant?
Repotting a prayer plant, also known as Maranta leuconeura, should be done approximately every two years. This will help ensure there is enough room in the pot for the rhizomes to grow and spread out. By repotting the prayer plant in the springtime, growers can take advantage of the growing season.
Pruning and dividing are even recommended during this time since you will have easy access to the roots. Remove excess soil from around the crown before repositioning your prayer plant into a pot that’s only an inch or two larger than its existing one; ensuring your floors don’t get flooded by excessive water should also be kept in mind when selecting a new container. Afterward, make sure to nestle it properly with some fresh potting soil and give it regular watering sessions (but be careful not to overwater).
With proper care and maintenance — including repotting when needed — you’ll have a beautiful prayer plant for years!
What pots are best for prayer plants?
When it comes to finding a pot that is best suited for prayer plants, many gardeners advocate using unglazed clay pots because they facilitate proper drainage.
Prayer plants are native to tropical areas, and thus need soil that remains moist without committing the fatal error of becoming overly saturated with water. Clay pots, which tend to dry out more quickly than other types of containers, enable this type of balance which allows prayer plants to flourish. Although slightly more expensive, ceramic containers with drainage holes might be preferable since clay can absorb chemicals from fertilizers and alter the PH levels in the soil.
It is especially important when dealing with prayer plants having a good pot for them as these beautiful, exotic plants cannot thrive in improper potting environments. With some thoughtful consideration and care, homeowners can have their thriving jungle of prayer plants!
What kind of soil does a prayer plant need?
Prayer plants are beautiful houseplant that features bright green foliage with intricate dark red patterning, which helps to give them their name.
These plants thrive in soil that is well-draining and slightly acidic, with a pH ranging from 6.5-7. The best soil to use for prayer plants is potting compost mixed with horticultural sand or pumice, allowing the soil to stay damp and hold onto the moisture needed for these plants to live and grow. Plants housed in outdoor climates should be planted in more loamy soil that has more nutrients while indoor growers can choose a light commercial potting mix blended with equal parts of vermiculite or perlite to make sure the roots receive regular air circulation.
Adding organic matter such as compost to the soil can also increase drainage and nourish the plant’s roots. Don’t forget to keep your prayer plant watered effectively too!
Do you water the prayer plant after repotting?
After repotting a prayer plant, it can be easy to forget about your newly planted greenery. Although, when it comes to certain succulents, like prayer plants, it is very important to keep them hydrated. Just because you’ve recently repotted the plant doesn’t mean that all of its roots are settled.
Therefore, watering lightly is recommended for the first few months until the roots have established in the new soil. Once you see new growth and a steady root system, then you can fully resume regular watering – but remember not to overwater as that can lead to fungal diseases in this type of plant.
With proper post-repotting care, your prayer plant will look lush and beautiful year-round!
Final Impressions: How do I repot a Prayer Plant?
Post-replanting of your Prayer Plant, it’s key to give it extra special attention and care. With proper positioning in medium to bright indirect light, temperatures of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and careful soil maintenance, you can keep your Prayer Plant looking its best.
And if the leaves start to droop or curl inward, don’t forget that Prayer Plants close their leaves when the sun sets and will reopen in the morning – so a little morning touch-up should perk things right back up! Lastly, do not overwater your plant as this could cause root rot. Give your plant a thorough soaking every 1-2 weeks – depending on season and climate – and you’ll be en route to having a thriving Prayer Plant for years to come!
