Either you adore them, or you despise them. However, prayer plants will remain among the fascinating houseplants available. Houseplants can be challenging to grow for some people, but they are fine for others.
I’ve discovered them to be rewarding, lovely plants that, once you understand their requirements and typical growth patterns. But even so, those who intend to grow it for the first time should know that it can be quite the drama queen, especially at night. However, in the end, it is worthwhile.
However, what is special about a prayer plant? One might inquire.
Well, continue reading to find out the reason.
What is a Prayer Plant?
Calatheas is more commonly referred to as a “prayer plant” because, at night, its leaves tend to fold together like hands in prayer. The Marantaceae family includes this exotic beauty, which originated in Brazil and is now widely known as potted houseplants.
Because of its beautiful decorative leaves, the prayer plant is among the most easily identified tropical plants. Its leaves resemble rubber plant leaves in terms of their structure. The widely grown tricolor variety of leaves also has dark green velvet leaves with yellow splotches.
What Does a Prayer Plant Do at Night?
Thanks to its colorful, patterned foliage, the prayer plant has long been a favorite indoor plant, but the spectacular show starts at night. These plants are unusual in that they move throughout the day and night, with the leaves coiling at night and opening up during the day.
Like many members of the Marantaceae family, Prayer Plants fold up their leaves at night, and if you look closely, you can see it happen.
Nyctinasty, a term used to describe the cyclic response that prayer plants have, is the name given to this process. This naturally occurring indicator alerts the plant whether it is day or night as the light changes.
As a result, plant leaves will lower or stretch out during the day for moisture absorption or catch the rain. By folding the leaves inward at night, the plant can store water droplets as they move down to the plant rather than letting them evaporate.
How Long Does a Prayer Plant Live?
Although it develops slowly, under ideal circumstances, it can be expected to survive for about 5 years when grown indoors. However, because of resource competition and the existence of natural predators, prayer plant life expectancy is less in the wild.
The prayer plant usually grows to a height of between 12 and 18 inches and a width of about 12 inches. Depending on the environment, the size can vary when grown in the wild.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Prayer Plant?
You can grow prayer plants outdoors, even though they are typically indoors. Because they are tropical plants, prayer plants require warm weather to flourish. It’s important to remember that prayer plants want bright indirect light, so a location with lots of natural light is best for them.
Since prayer plants are not frost-resistant, they can’t be grown outdoors in the winter. If you live in a warm climate and want to grow your prayer plant outside, choose a place with plenty of indirect sunlight.
You can also grow a prayer plant indoors if you live somewhere cooler. Remember that it will require lots of light, so keep it close to a window.
How Do I Make MY Prayer Plant Happy?
This gorgeous plant only requires a little effort to maintain. To ensure that your prayer plant gives you its very best every day, implement these specific care instructions.
1. Sunlight
In general, this plant can tolerate environments with less light.
However, the leaves will only be fully open if there is enough light during the day. Ensure that you hang or locate the plant near the window so that it can receive some filtered sunlight. Wintertime lighting should be brighter but still filtered or indirect.
2. Temperature
The ideal temperature range for these tropical plants is between 15° and 25 ° Celsius. Extreme temperatures aren’t suitable for them. The leaves will burn if it gets too hot, turning them dark.
Temperatures below 15°C may cause the leaves to shrink and turn brown.
3. Water
Water the plant regularly during the growing season, particularly when the top layer begins to dry. Never let the potting soil become dry. Watering should be reduced but never stopped entirely during the winter.
In Conclusion
I hope it was enjoyable for you to learn what makes praying plants unique. These plants as lovely indoor green leaf plants because they are incredibly rewarding, especially in the long run.
They are a fantastic starting point for learning more about complex tropical plant care issues like water quality, light, and the delicate balance required for a stunning long-term appearance.
Thanks for reading!