Prayer Plant

Basic Care

Indoor Air Benefits

Propagation

Maranta Leuconeura “Kerchoveana”

Division/ stem cuttings in the summer. spring to early summer After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while.

Place the prayer plant in medium light away from a south window or in front of a west or east window. However, if direct light comes in the plant's window, filter it with a transparent curtain. If exposed to direct sunlight, the leaf color will fade. Increase the humidity by misting it frequently with soft water and placing a tray of pebbles under the plant. High humidity is necessary for the plant to bloom. Water enough so the potting mix stays moist during most of the year. However, allow the top half of the potting mix to dry out in between waterings during the winter. This will give the plant a needed dormant period. Place the prayer plant in small, shallow pots which are as wide as or wider than they are tall. The roots of this plant are shallow. It's best to use plastic or wood pots for prayer plants instead of clay or ceramic pots, which absorb water. Repot prayer plants every spring using fresh potting mix. The best mixture is two parts peat moss combined with one part loam and one part perlite. Course sand can be substituted for the perlite. This mixture helps the plant retain water.

Overall beneficial